Disclaimer: Still don't own Harry Potter and as always my better half is my Beta. Still no planned pairings regardless as to what a certain pair of twins seem to want.

Draco was first of the group to be down for breakfast, she was still sniggering over Harry's predicament when Ron and Hermione had caught up with her. The black haired girl had been ambushed by Pansy, who was insisting that she was allowed to deal with the wild black hair. She'd taken her seat beside Hermione and Ron, the latter of the two had joined her in chuckling over his best mate's situation. The trio had sat in their usual spots, Hermione dumping food onto both her own and her slender friend's plate, Ron quickly swallowed not daring to speak. His best mate was the only one of the new group who didn't pick on him for talking with his mouthful. "What's the plan for today? We going to see Hagrid after rescuing Harry?" The expression on both of the girl's faces, made the tips of his ears burn and he found that he was rather glad that he'd thought to go along with them.

Ron was almost eaten his fill by the time the black haired duo had joined them for breakfast, Pansy had a beaming a smile on her face, her arm linked with the taller girl who's hair was done up in elaborate twists and plaits more akin to what someone would see at a ball than at breakfast on a Sunday. Ron's jaw dropped seeing his best mate, revealing a mess of half chewed food, "Mate!" he almost yelled, "Your hair is well fancy." Bits of food escaped his mouth resulting in a smack from the girls closest to him and he swallowed quickly, remembering one of Hermione's angrier moments when she'd taken to casting at him every time that he'd done that. "Pansy's done a brilliant job!"

Harry found that she was suddenly surrounded by Hermione's dorm mates, who were studying her hair and complimenting Pansy, "Pansy! You have got to show us how you did that." Pavati spoke first the pair begging her to join them in their dorm and do their hair, especially before a Hogsmeade weekend if they had a date. The Raven Haired Slytherin having revealed that she had an enviable skill with hair and they'd be damned if they didn't get her to teach them. Harry lowered her head, trying to disappear into the ground, she didn't see why Pansy had insisted on doing her hair even if she could appreciate what she'd done. Hermione and Draco had both leaned over to dump food onto her plate and she gave them an appreciate look as she tucked in, tuning out the girly talks as she ate with a gusto that would put Ron to shame.

Before long the group had retrieved Pansy and headed outside into the cold November air the first flakes of snow drifting down. The walk to Hagrid's had been filled with laughter and jokes, knocking on the door had brought the group face to face with Fang, Ron was quick to reassure Pansy that he was gentle as anything and so was Fang, but the petite dark haired Slytherin had grinned at Fang before dropping to his level and cooing as she ruffled his fur. Not even noticing the slobber which the delighted dog had left over her shoulder.

"'ere you lot, should come in. Ain't none too warm out 'ere," He stepped back to let the group inside, moving to put the kettle on as the group did. Pansy looked around curiously, the hut wasn't huge but it was warm and cosy, a comfy sofa took up a large portion of the space and if she wasn't mistaken that was unicorn hair hanging from the rafters with various herbs and plants. She could have joined them on the coach but instead sat down with the boarhound on the floor. Hagrid looked taken aback when he took in the group and their chosen seats, "you can have my seat if you want." He looked at Pansy who took a moment to realise that he'd meant her.

Pansy smiled at him, tearing her attention away from Fang, "I'm alright!" She smiled, ruffling the dog's fur. "Your dog is beautiful, Ron said his name is Fang right?" Hagrid looked taken aback but a huge beaming smile broke across his face at the Slytherin.

It was near dinner time when the group was leaving, Hagrid having been telling them what he'd gotten planned for their classes and Pansy was bouncing beside them. Babbling about how awesome Unicorns, Runespores, Ashwinders and Nifflers were going to be to and commiserating, to Ron's horror, that they wouldn't be studying Acromantula something which Ron was fervently glad for. He'd hurried ahead when Hagrid had looked thoughtful and suggested that he might try to convince Dumbledore to let him bring one of the majestic creatures to their lesson, claiming that they were just misunderstood and Pansy's encouragement over the situation.

Thankfully their lesson on Monday was just the promised Unicorns, the girls cooed over the beautiful creatures and gasped in awe when they noticed a foal. Hagrid had explained that the creatures held a great distrust of males but that they wouldn't be as effected due to their ages, and one of the braver ones, when Ron held his hand out, pressed its nose into his hand. He'd gasped a look of awe and admiration on his face, especially when he realised that he'd been the only boy that had been able to touch one of them. The girls all had looks of awe and delight as they were allowed to touch the creatures, Pansy especially as the foal had trotted over to her and bumped her over to his mother. Her giggle of delight had lightened the whole area and she'd pulled Hermione into the fold of the unicorns, the studious girl having relaxed and lost some of her stress as the creatures bumped and nuzzled the pair.

Harry and Draco had initially hung back, unsure as to how the pure beings would react to them, but emboldened by Ron's success and him pushing them forwards. The pair had cautiously walked closer, the bold male who'd allowed Ron to touch him watched them interestedly before he'd nosed the hair covering their scar before huffing and stamping his feet. Another approached and nuzzled into their hair, huffing uncertainly before backing off. The bold male stuffed his nose in their faces one last time before retreating over to the rest of the herd.

By the time the lesson was over the class was all bubbling with excitement and even the reserved Slytherins were clearly delighted with what they'd learned, as the rest hurried off to dinner, a few of them hung back. Pansy especially was loath to leave and the foal tried to get his mother to take her with them, at least that was the impression the group got by the nuzzling and bumping her in that direction.

Perhaps they had an alternative reason as the bold male bumped her gently towards the shape of an emaciated black form. Her jaw dropped and she hurried over. "HAGRID!" She knelt, screaming for Hagrid when she realised it was a dog, the poor creature looked as though it had been beaten, starved and now was dying of cold. Hagrid had been at her side the instant she'd screamed, gently picking up the shaking creature and tailed by Pansy they rushed it into Hagrid's hut.

Amelia was on the warpath to say that she was furious was an understatement, she stormed through the ministry. The crowds parting as if by magic, many fleeing before her or vanishing into offices. Reaching her office, she slammed the door behind her. Few would dare to disturb Amelia when she was in one of these moods, an owl was already on the way to the Black sisters, a second winging its way to the Longbottom Manor. She rose to her feet and banged open the door barking roughly for Moody to report to her immediately.

Moody had questions to answer and depending on his response would determine her next course of action. She'd barely managed to compose herself when her secretary waved the esteemed Auror inside.

"What's got your knickers in a twist lass?" The gruff man barked, his magical eye scanning the room before focusing on her.

"Just a routine enquiry, Master Auror." She ignored his goading and focused on him, she'd spent too long with the gruff man to be at all bothered by him, "Tell me your thoughts on Sirius Black."

The one beady real eye narrowed, "Not much to say, took us all by surprise."

A thin smile graced her lips, "So you'd say that your interrogation of him didn't raise much explanations?"

"Didn't do it. Crouch insisted he did it." The bitterness was clear, Moody had a reputation for always getting his man but a less known fact was that the man also always saw his mission through to the end. To not have done the interrogation would have truly grated on the man, especially in such a high profile case such as this. Amelia's eyes narrowed and she slid the file across the table, Moody scowled. Opening it he saw the arresting report and then nothing. No interrogation. No trial transcripts. No character reports. Just the report that he himself had filed.

Since that interesting Care of Magical Creatures lesson, it wasn't uncommon to overhear excited chatter wondering what Professor Hagrid was going to bring to their next class. McGonagall had been shocked when she realised that several groups were third year Slytherins, while it took her by surprise she found a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, proud for Hagrid's achievements.

Pansy could usually be found down with Hagrid, helping him to care for the sick dog, often one of the others would join her either to do homework or learn how to heal sick animals. But as the first flurry of snow was falling the dog was still weak, but would wag his tail weakly when one of the kids came to see him.

That particular Saturday, Pansy was sitting on the floor with Fang's head on her lap while gently trying to work some of the matting out of the injured dog's fur when the others had arrived. "Sorry boy, Draco has dragged Harry and Hermione to Professor McGonagall. They'll be down in a bit." Ron had already greeted Hagrid but he joined Pansy on floor stroking the disappointed dog. Pansy had raised an eyebrow at him and the ginger teen flushed, "He's finally convinced them that Divination is a waste of time."

Tea was passed over and the lanky teen pulled out a chess set in the hopes that Hagrid would play against him, the gigantic Professor had merely laughed and said that he needed to go check on the animals before he could play chess with him. Ron pouted but his eyes brightened when Hagrid beamed at the two, "Might need yeh help, got an injured unicorn." His invitation was all the pair needed, both promising the injured dog that they'd be back soon, giving him one last stroke before heading out with Hagrid.

The area that Hagrid had gotten the young unicorn in was large, far enough away that he'd not be concerned by the proximity to dogs and close enough to allow the bushy haired man to keep a close eye on it. Pansy vaulted the gate without waiting for the pair, Hagrid chuckled opening the gate as he and Ron followed more sedately. The unicorn whinnied nervously, eyes darting between the group, closer now Pansy could see it was standing awkwardly as though the movement itself hurt and she could see a hint of silver on its leg. Even without Hagrid speaking she stopped holding out her hands, Ron joining her a moment later although Hagrid had hung back. The unicorn went to pace but it stumbled and fell, Pansy had rushed through the long grass to it, her eyes filling with tears at the sight. Ron wavered but Hagrid pressed his bag into his hand, "Get this to her, she'll know what to do."

Ron nodded, moving more cautiously to the girl's side, Pansy had managed to get the mare to calm somewhat. Ron placed the bag near beside her but stayed back, the dark haired girl shook her head pulling him forward. "Going to need your help, Hagrid's shown me before but…" her usual confidence was clearly shaken, yet she kept humming and whispering to the injured mare as she reached out. The mare was eying the pair of them wearily but didn't resist Pansy gently lifting the injured leg onto her lap. Her hands shook as Ron passed her a vial, carefully she cleaned the wounds, and a jar of salve was next which was smeared gently over the gashes. The Mare whinnied in pain, and Pansy apologised while her eyes filled with tears. Thankfully the youngster had decided that the two were trying to help them and didn't move away even as Ron had to help her wrap the bandage around the cuts. It was only once they'd done that Hagrid moved closer, the mare looked afraid but didn't try to run, even as he helped her to stand.

Relieved they had done all that they could the group trooped back to the hut to clean up before the other girls arrived. Both of the teens were full of questions which Hagrid answered with a wide beaming smile.

Fudge was having a bad day. Bones had already stormed into his office and the steely haired woman had peered at him through her monocle, cutting down his protests and arguments that he couldn't possibly remove the kiss on sight order on Sirius black. By the time she'd left, he felt as though he'd gone several rounds with a rampaging bull but he had managed to hold strong. He'd taken a deep breath and begun to calm his shaking nerves, wondering if it was too early in the day to have a glass of Ogden's Finest, when the door slammed open again.

Madam Longbottom didn't mince words and the elderly woman cut an impressive form both with her height and her look of distain. Like Madam Bones she tore him to pieces with the ferocity of a rabid lion, she'd appeared to have barely gotten started when the door burst open and in stalked Lady Malfoy and Mrs Tonks.

Fudge wasn't too proud to admit that he was wondering if it would be improper to hide beneath his desk from the fuming women when Lady Malfoy smiled sweetly, "Surely you understand Minister that if you recalled the order and put out an article in the Prophet. No-one would blame you." Fudge frowned slightly, not sure what the powerful woman was getting at. Narcissa continued gently, "After all, you're just the courageous and bold Minister, who's bravely fighting hard to right the wrongs of the previous administration."

Fudge blustered slightly, "Everyone knows he's guilty!"

Madam Longbottom's smile sent a shiver down his spine, "be that as it may." The stately woman sent fear coursing through him, he was reminded that this was a woman who had lived through more death and destruction than he ever wanted to. "The fact remains that your predecessors imprisoned the Heir to a Most Ancient and Noble house without a trial and now there is a Kiss on Sight order on the Head of that same Most Ancient and Noble house." Fudge's blood ran cold, the old houses would have his head for this and Malfoy for all his money wasn't strong enough to stand against all of the oldest houses.

Harry grinned at her friends, "Go on. I want to have a word with Professor Lupin." Hermione studied her face and then nodded dragging Ron off, the ginger only giving a token protest as he let himself be dragged off. The rest of the class gave her weird looks as they all hurried out of the door eager to get to dinner.

Professor Lupin looked tired but gave her a gentle smile. "What can I do for you Miss Potter?" His hair was streaked with grey and weary lines ran across his face.

"Narcissa said that you were friends with my mum and dad at school." She bit her lip, chewing anxiously. "Can you tell me about them?" Her eyes widened hopefully.

Whatever Professor Lupin had expected, that clearly wasn't it. He nodded and beckoned her into his office, Harry had a hopeful bounce in her step. "You know you look a lot-"

"Like my father but with my mother's eyes." She interrupted. Freezing when she realised that she'd just interrupted the Professor. However he just laughed.

He replied with mirth in his eyes, "You did before, gave me a bit of a shock when I saw you at the feast." He grinned, "Now you don't…you look like Lily but with your father's hair." Harry hadn't realised that she'd changed that much, of course she knew that she had more of Narcissa in her but she suspected that she'd picked that up from Draco. "Your love of pranks, however…" He burst out laughing, "James was well known for his but not many people knew that Lily could prank with the best of them, James got better but while we were younger some of our pranks were a bit cruel." He frowned apparently thinking, and seeing the expression on the girl's face "Didn't mean he wasn't kind, he was fiercely protective of his friends and family. Lily had one hell of a temper, she made it clear that she didn't like it from early on and would prank him whenever he annoyed her. One time she'd gotten him with one which meant that whenever someone said his name anything he was wearing would change to a frilly dress." The Professor laughed, "Took us weeks to break that one, although might have been because we were too busy laughing, I'll have a look and see if I have any pictures of it." He glanced at the clock, "Why don't you come to my office on Saturday? Your friends will be waiting for you to go to dinner and I'm sure you're hungry." He smiled gently.

Harry beamed and nodded eagerly, "That would be awesome! Thank you Professor." The walk to the great hall went quickly especially with the Professor walking beside her, talking about what creatures he was planning to show them.

By the beginning of December, Harry was the proud owner of several new photos of her Dad and a fair few with a smug looking red head in the back ground. One of the photos even had an older couple laughing at their green son, Professor Lupin had told her that the couple was her late Grandparents, James' parents.

The grounds were already covered in a thick coating of snow, the group had dragged the Twins into a snowball battle; fight was a too gentle of word for what they did. Pansy and Hermione had been roped into Harry and Fred's team, while Ron and Draco had dragged a protesting Lee onto George's team. The three fifth years had built each team a fort while the third years had been practicing a nifty little charm for making the snowballs.

Before long the battle was in full swing, snowballs being pelted in all directions, Draco and Harry showing that they still had some skill at Quidditch training by dodging a fair few. Harry shrieked when she was so intent on focusing on trying to hit Draco that she didn't notice Ron sneaking around behind her and dropping a snowball down her back.

"NOOOOO! Not my princess!" Yelled Fred charging into the fray and wrestling his younger brother into a heap of snow even as Harry retaliated throwing a handful of snow at Draco.
"HAND'S OFF MY FAIR MAIDEN!" George bellowed laughing at the Blonde's disgruntled expression.

Soon enough the group was tired, cold and dripping wet as they walked back inside, darting inside to avoid a grouchy looking Filch. The boisterous group staggered laughing into the Great Hall, Hermione was trying to get snow out of her hair which was already beginning to tangle. McGonagall eyed the dripping group that plopped down at the Gryffindor table.

"Can't believe you put snow down my back." Harry pouted at her best mate, who simply laughed at her pulling a face.

"Oh poor maiden getting a shiver." George pulled a face at Harry.
"I think you mean MY maiden."
"MY maiden got colder."
"My maiden had that fiend of a brother put snow down her back." Fred snipped back.

Harry stuck her tongue out at the two of them, "It was bloody cold."
"So was the snow you threw in my face."
"Your team started it."
"Your twin pulled my team into the snow."
"My team didn't get as wet."
"My team had more honour!"
"YOUR TEAM AMBUSHED ME!" Harry yelled at Draco in mock rage.

The blonde couldn't keep a straight face and giggles escaped her lips. "You deserved it." She giggled hysterically, gasping for breath.

"Don't die my precious!" George launched himself down the table, it was a testament to the mentality of the Gryffindors as those who's eating was disrupted by George merely lifted their plates before he got there and then resumed as though nothing had happened.

Fred was never one to be out done as he jumped from bench to bench to reach the Raven haired girl and scoop her up, "I'll protect you from my hideous brother."
"Who are you calling hideous!" George yelled from in front of the blonde.
"My ugly brother."
"I think you are mistaken, brother of mine,"
"Oh?"
"Why yes I'm the attractive one!"
"LIES! I am the good looking one!"

"FRED! GEORGE!" McGonagall was striding down the Hall making a bee line for the increasingly loud argument, "DETENTION!"

"Worth it." They said as one.

Augusta wasn't entirely certain how she'd gotten roped into this situation but despite that she wasn't opposed to her new allies, Lady Malfoy hadn't been what she'd expected however, seeing her with her estranged sister had been what had allowed the stern older woman to give the youngest Black sister a chance. Hearing how the blonde had been living with Molly and Arthur for the past few months gave her more hope.

Amelia's face was serious, and she took a deep breath, "I think Sirius Black is innocent."