Hey everyone! So, my bad (okay, my BIG BAD)... I did not tell y'all I was going to be taking a hiatus from this story. Quite a lengthy one as well. And the reason in the beginning was because I was falling behind with my schoolwork (which I've caught up with and is now finished for the summer), and now I'm in final (and hardest) year of college. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update, but since I love this story so much and y'all have been the best, most patient, most loyal fans EVER, I'm going to do my best to finish Amber's tale as the Fifth Marauder as quickly as I can.

Here is a very long overdue update and I'm so so sorry for keeping y'all waiting this long. I think the last update was in March… not cool. I love you guys and this story has made me the writer I am today and made me realize that I can actually make this work as a full-time author someday, once I finish my education. I will update the story as often as I can, but it's not going to be as often as it's been historically. BUT I AM going to finish this story - to heck with it all. So, without further ado, here is the latest installment to the tale of the Fifth Marauder!

"Soren!" The screech came from my beak, making the owl flutter his wings in fright. "Soren! Is that you?"

The barn owl quivered - he looked ready to take flight at the first sign of danger. And to my incredulous surprise and delight, Soren screeched again. But this time, I could understand him, as if he was speaking plain English.

"You really should be more careful, you know," Soren chided in a distinctive male voice. "You have wings, but that doesn't mean you can fly just yet."

I let out a chortle of wild laughter, which frightened Soren. His wings flared out and he looked ready to take off, but his black gaze penetrated me intensely.

"You smell like Amber," Soren hooted. "And you… remind me of her… but prove that you're really my Amber. Say something that only Amber would know."

I clicked my beak impatiently. "I have a bad left leg. I was attacked by a werewolf named Fenrir Greyback. My best friends are Remus Lupin and Lily Evans. I'm about to enter my fifth year at Hogwarts. And I'm a Ravenclaw. I play Chaser for the Quidditch team. And, I'm bloody awful at Potions. Is that enough proof?"

Soren studied me again for a long moment, then nodded in satisfaction. "Yes, you are my Amber. Naomi sent me after you. It wasn't hard. You left quite a mess in your wake."

"What messes?" I responded defiantly, though I could feel the heat under my facial feathers.

"Broken tree tops, snapped branches, ruts in the ground…" Soren trailed off, tilting his head severely to one side. "I could follow your trail very easily. You need to learn how to fly properly. You're worse than a hatchling fresh out of the nest."

"Thanks," I said dryly, my voice still sounding odd and screechy, but I could understand it all the same. "Do you know the way to Hogwarts?"

The moment I said this, I knew it was foolish. Of course Soren knew the route. He had flown it often enough, delivering post between me and my family while I was ensconced at school. Soren knew this, but did not mock me. Instead he fluttered his wings and hopped on his boulder. "We can leave when you're ready. Now, if you'd like."

Rising to my stiff legs, I winced as I put pressure on my left leg. I would still need physical therapy once a week for the foreseeable future. I gathered the suitcase and broomstick and took off once again into the sky, crashing into a tall spruce and nearly dropping my cargo. I knew Soren if he could, Soren would be rolling his eyes at my utter inexpertise.

It took much less time flying Soren's route than my amateur navigating. The wilderness beneath us spread out into rich green carpets of spruce and fir trees and the occasional oak. Maples and other deciduous trees were too weak to withstand the higher altitude and colder climate. The foothills rolled into jagged peaks and ridges that cut sharply into the skyline. Many of them were permanently snow-capped, and I knew we were close.

It was easier to follow Soren's flight path without realizing the height we were flying at. By myself, I had been so worried about falling that I hadn't dared flown higher than a few feet above the trees. But Soren rode the updrafts, gliding along like a ghost, barely flapping his wings. The exertion was far less taxing flying his way, letting the wind and the air do the work rather than flap like a frantic duck.

Soren arced sharply to the right, and we skirted the ridge of a snowy mountain, diving down into a bowl-like valley between two magnificent mountains. Cutting between the two mountains was a snake-like train track, and chugging its way along was a scarlet locomotive. It was the Hogwarts Express!

The train was so small from this height that it looked like a ladybug crawling on a green carpet spanning between two purple-and-white couches. Soren folded his wings close to his body and shot like a snowy bullet towards the train, then flared them out just a hundred feet above the roof of the train. For the next hour, we flew together in a constant harmony of flight, in tandem above the Hogwarts Express.

The train arrived in Hogsmeade Station just as the sun was sinking behind the mountains, throwing long, dark shadows over the ground. Soren alighted upon a lamppost, a few feet from the train. I landed behind the brick fence, obscured from view. Now that we were safely in Hogsmeade, the next phase of my plan was starkly blank. I could communicate easily with Soren, but not with people. How could I shift back now?

"Soren," I said urgently, "Go get Sirius. Or Willow."

Soren pushed off from the lamppost with his talons and vanished on ghostly wings into the rapidly falling darkness. Even with fur and feathers, the air was bitingly cold. This high up in the mountains, September was chilly enough for me to see my breath. I waited, listening to the sounds of excited students just a few feet away, on the other side of the brick fence. Hagrid's familiar booming voice shouted, "First years! First years over here with me! Come on, all first years this way, to me!"

"Gryffindors, this way!" Remus' voice said clearly, and my heart thumped painfully within my chest. "Gryffindors!"

"All Gryffindors, this way!" Lily said loudly. "To me and Remus!"

Others were calling for their Houses, and I realized Remus and Lily had been made Prefects. My heart swelled with pride, quickly followed by a pang of jealousy. Not only had I not been made a Prefect, but Remus and Lily were Prefects together. Odd, how they seemed to be in a pair more often than ever…

I forced myself to veer away from the jealous venom of my thoughts. I had Sean. And I had to stop being greedy.

Maybe you should be with Remus. A small voice in my head suggested quietly. Maybe the reason why you feel jealous is because you love Remus more than you love Sean.

I dwelled on these disturbing thoughts a little longer before remembering that until I could transform back into a human, my biggest problem was far from boys. I was stuck as a griffin. And the vision… Willow was not only an Animagus, but she had clearly been family members with a very wealthy old witch. Her name had not been spoken, but Willow and the elderly witch were aunt and niece. The vision had been of a seventh-year Willow Smith and Tom Riddle, which meant that the scene that I had witnessed had taken place nearly thirty years prior. In addition to all of the other visions I'd seen and the information I'd gleaned, who was Willow, really? Why had she left Lord Voldemort? How had she lasted so long without being murdered on his orders? Who was Mara's father? And… why did I have a sinking feeling about her daughter?

It was as if something was closing in. Something dark, malevolent, and evil. A wolf in sheep's clothing lurked nearby, and I didn't know who hid beneath the white fleece, red eyes glinting, sharp teeth wet with saliva. I shivered, wings rustling. Someone was a traitor. The question was… who?

I waited for Soren to return. I had waited for so long that the Hogwarts Express puffed a great column of white smoke and lurched out of the station, clearly returning to London. I waited longer in the now-silent platform, the silence broken only by the stirring of an occasional breeze.

I waited longer. Then, without warning, a giant black shape alighted as gracefully as a shadow upon the brick fence. I flared my wings, hissing.

The playful gray eyes of the dog found mine. "Easy, Lionheart. It's just me."

I leapt to my feet. "Sirius! Oh, Sirius. I'm so glad to see you!" Instantly, I knew that I was going to be alright. The tension and fear of the last day simply melted away in a flood of relief. The fact that I could understand Sirius gave me an added sense of comfort.

"Looks like you finally did it." Sirius barked, his tail wagging. "About time. Wait til James hears. He's just about managed it. But Peter needs another month or two before he's got it. James could be as good as you within a fortnight. But he won't forgive you for beating him to it."

"That's great!" I said, my own tail waving. "There's just one problem. I'm… stuck."

Sirius barked a laugh. "It's easy. Just think human thoughts."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't you think I've tried that?"

Sirius gave a small woof of amusement. "You need to really think human. Remember how it feels to stand on two legs, not four. Remember having skin, not fur or feathers. Think about having fingers and toes again. Come on, Lionheart."

I shut my eyes tightly, trying to recall the humanity Sirius described. It was difficult to separate wings from shoulders, claws for fingernails, fur for skin. But as I remembered the feeling of my bad leg, I leaned on it instinctively. A gasp of pain escaped my beak, and a quick shimmer of warm light flooded my eyes. A moment later, I stood, fully human.

And fully naked.

I let out a half-scream of mortification, immediately crouching down to cover my nakedness. I dove into a dark leafed bush, desperate to hide. Sirius burst out laughing, his bark-like laugh echoing across the platform. He transformed into a human, fully clothed in his school robes, and removed his cloak. "Come here, Amber. I'll cover you."

"You knew!" I screeched, my face on fire, limbs shaking. "You knew I would transform naked!"

Sirius chuckled shamelessly. "I would never do such a thing. I'm the perfect gentleman."

"Sirius Black!" I snarled. "Give me that cloak!"

"You have to use a certain spell, when you transform," Sirius said lazily, making no move to give me his cloak. "You have to, or you'll be all natural when you turn back."

"The cloak, Sirius!" I implored, reaching a hand through the bushes. "Now!"

A wolfish grin spread across his handsome face. "But Lionheart, I'm in quite the situation I may never find myself in again. You're naked in a bush, without a wand, and I have a cloak right here."

"What are you playing at?" I snapped dryly. I was much colder without a covering of fur and feathers.

"I think you owe me payment for the cloak," Sirius said airily. "Or, I could just leave you here all by your lonesome, naked as a jaybird. I could send Filch down with some clothes, but who knows how long that would take, and what he'd say if he found you in this predicament."

I could hardly believe what Sirius was saying. "Give me that cloak now or I'll make you sorry!" I threatened, but we both knew it was an empty threat. Without a wand, I was powerless. I was completely at his mercy, and he knew it.

"You have some interesting scars, Lionheart," Sirius drawled. "I wonder what Remus would say if I told him-"

I leapt out of the bushes. Sirius was so shocked that I was able to snatch the cloak out of his hands and yank it on before he could see any more of me. Blushing furiously, I hit him as hard as I could in the arm. He yelped in pain and leapt back, rubbing his arm. "That hurt! You hit like a man, Amber!"

I punched him again. Sirius tried to fend off my blows, but I didn't stop until I gave him a bloody lip. I relented as he touched his lip gingerly with his hand. He swore at the sight of blood.

"You drew blood!" Sirius complained. "Honestly, after I helped you and everything…"

"You are a pig, not a dog." I spat, still ruffled and angry. "You will not tell anyone what you saw. Especially Remus. Agreed?"

"What do I get in return for that promise?" Sirius asked smoothly. I raised my fist.

"You can have a black eye to match that bloody lip." I told him ruthlessly. "Now, help me get my stuff so we can get out of here. I'm starving."

Chuckling, Sirius fetched my suitcase and opened it. I pushed him out of the way before he could go through my clothes. Instead he picked up my broomstick, whistling softly.

"What?" I asked irritably, making sure the black cloak was covering me completely as I scavenged for clothes to wear. "Did you find your brain?"

"I didn't realize it was missing." Sirius remarked blandly. "I was just admiring your broomstick. It's old."

"It's vintage. A classic. And trust me, your brain is definitely missing."

Sirius grinned, revealing all of his white teeth. "Maybe you can help me find it. You're a smart Ravenclaw, after all."

I rolled my eyes. "Do not flirt with me. You're like my brother. And you know that." I punched his chest playfully.

But a strange shadow crossed his eyes at my remark. "Brother. Yeah. Got it." Sirius laughed again, but I had the uncomfortable feeling that maybe he'd needed the reminder of where we stood. Sirius was handsome and fun, but I had never seen him as anything but someone like Harry, like James. A strong, supportive family member. And nothing more.

Nothing at all like what I felt for Remus.

"Turn around so I can get dressed." I told Sirius. "Better yet, climb over the fence and wait for me."

Sirius saluted me and easily cleared the fence. I prayed that he was being respectful of my wishes and changed as fast as possible. I didn't have time to put on my full school uniform, so I settled for a gray long sleeve and a black skirt. I kept Sirius' cloak on over it, uncaring of Gryffindor insignia on the lapel. I tossed my suitcase and broomstick over the fence, knowing Sirius would catch them. I put my holly wand in my mouth as I cleared the fence, careful not to expose myself. Sirius looked disappointed.

"Enough." I said coldly as I landed. I gasped sharply as my bad leg sent shooting waves of pain into my hip. I bent over, gritting my teeth against the agony.

"Amber?" Sirius asked, his tone no longer teasing, but concerned. "Are you alright?"

"Just fine." I lied, rubbing my leg. "Just getting older."

Sirius took my luggage. "Come on. We don't want to miss the feast."

But my leg was cramping hard by the time we reached the gates, where the thestral-drawn carriages were. The last one was already rolling away, following the road that wound up to the distant castle of Hogwarts.

"Wait!" I called, but I knew I couldn't run after them. Sirius dashed ahead, waving his hand and shouting. The carriage halted. Breathless with pain, I ambled over to the carriage, my things in Sirius' hands, as we reached the carriage.

"Thanks," I panted, allowing him to assist me as I clambered inside. There were only two occupants: a frightened-looking first year girl, and Severus Snape.

"What are you doing here, Snivellus?" Sirius asked in disgust. Severus' lip curled.

"I couldn't find my trunk." Severus replied coldly. "What's your excuse Black? Are you two an item now?"

I rolled my eyes while a faint blush rose to Sirius' cheeks. "If you wanted to find your trunk, all you had to do was look in the lavatories. James and I made sure it would be nice and fragrant for you when you finally found it."

Severus' nostrils flared. "You hid my suitcase?" He drew his wand. Sirius whipped his out like he was unsheathing a sword.

"Enough!" I snapped, easing myself down beside the terrified-looking girl while my leg howled with pain. I rubbed it wearily. I hoped Madame Pomfrey would have a poultice to soothe my aching muscles. The girl was staring at the two with terror in her wide blue eyes.

"What's your name?" I asked her gruffly.

She stared at me, silent.

"Let's just go." Sirius growled, still glaring balefully at Severus, who returned the look in full measure. "I'm starving."

The carriage rolled forward. It was an exceptionally awkward situation, with Sirius and Severus just inches from duelling, and the little girl staring at each of us fifth years in turn with unmasked fear in her small oval face.

The ride seemed to take forever, but finally, the castle came in view and the carriage lurched to a halt. Sirius helped me down while Severus swept down and away while Filch unloaded our luggage. He eyed me beadily with his beetle-like eyes.

"What?" I asked in irritation, my leg throbbing.

"You're not in uniform." Filch said haughtily.

"Neither are you." I said coolly. Filch flushed angrily.

"I'm the groundskeeper!" He snarled. "Not a student!"

"But didn't you go to school before?" I asked casually.

Filch's eyes bugged. "Just get going missy!" He snapped. "Before I fetch the Headmaster!"

"Calm down, old man." Sirius advised. "Before you give yourself another heart attack."

Cursing under his breath, Filch continued to heave luggage from the carriage onto an impressive mountain of suitcases and trunks. He was so out of breath that he was wheezing like a deflating tire.

"Let's just go." I muttered. "Come on, girl."

The girl silently followed us.

"I hope we're not too late." I added as we passed torches, the smell of hot food wafting closer. "I don't want to miss the feast."

"If we do, we can just come down the kitchens later." Sirius reminded me. We paused at the double doors. "The first years are already up at the front." Sirius told me. "Alright little girl, why don't you…"

He trailed off. The little girl was gone.

"Did you see her leave?" Sirius asked me, frowning. I shook my head.

"Maybe she had to use the bathroom." I said uneasily.

"I hope so." Sirius muttered. "She was a little odd, wasn't she?"

"It's not our problem." I said dubiously. "C'mon, I'm starving."

We entered the Great Hall slowly, mostly because of my throbbing leg but also because we didn't want to be noticed. A few students looked at us with a mix of curiosity and reproach. I tried to sit with the Ravenclaws, but Sirius grabbed my wrist and dragged me over to the Gryffindor's.

"Sirius!" I hissed under my breath. "Let me go."

"Not yet." Sirius said firmly. "Besides, you're wearing my cloak. You look like a Gryffindor."

I rolled my eyes and took a seat beside him. James, Remus and Lily were all staring at us. Oddly, Peter was missing.

"Where's Wormtail?" Sirius whispered to James.

"He had to pee. Again." James whispered back. He winked at me. "Nice of you to show up, Lionheart."

"What happened to you?" Lily demanded in a hushed voice, green eyes flashing. "You weren't on the train!"

"Did Sean take you here?" Remus asked quietly, his dark eyes glittering malevolently.

"I'll explain later." I said in a low voice, aware of the other Gryffindors watching us.

"And now, for the Sorting." Professor McGonagall said in a ringing voice. "When I call your name, you will have the Sorting Hat placed upon your head. After that, you will sit down with your new House." She glanced down, consulting her list. "Adams, Blaise!"

A piece of parchment brushed my fingers. I picked it up, scanning it quickly.

Meet us tonight in the Gryffindor Common Room. The password is 'snitch'.

I frowned, looking over at Remus. I wasn't allowed in the Gryffindor Common Room, or anywhere in Gryffindor Tower, for that matter. I was a Ravenclaw.

"I can't." I mouthed silently to him. Remus shook his head, pointing to my cloak.

"I'll try." I mouthed, seeing that there was no other way to convince him.

After "Zankman, Chloe" was Sorted into Hufflepuff, Dumbledore arose from his golden throne-like chair and spread his wizened hands. "And now, let the feast begin!"

At once, mountains of steaming food appeared in the empty platters and bowls. James, Sirius, and Remus assaulted the food with repulsive enthusiasm. Lily switched places with Remus across the table so that she and I were directly across from each other.

"So, are you going to tell me what happened?" she asked, filling her plate with mashed potatoes, chicken breast, sauteed spinach, and grilled artichokes.

"I… flew here." I admitted, ladling a bowl of roasted butternut squash soup and adding chicken salad to a piece of sourdough bread. It wasn't exactly a lie. I had flown here.

Lily took a bite of her dinner and swallowed. "You took your Silver Arrow? I didn't know that was allowed."

A hot flush crept up from my neck into my face. "Well, I kind of… got stuck in Bellinghall. I missed the train."

"I was wondering why you weren't on the platform." Lily mused. "I'm glad you got here okay. I was worried."

"I saw Severus." I mentioned between swigs of pumpkin juice. "He was on the carriage with me."

A shadow crossed Lily's face. "That's good. We sat together for awhile, but then he couldn't find his trunk. I didn't see him after that." Her gaze slid disdainfully toward James and Sirius, who were now on their third helpings of food. "Those two thought they'd invite me to sit with him, but I turned them down."

"After she hexed them." Remus chimed in, his steak nearly gone. His eyes twinkled with amusement. "She's got quite the hang of the Bat-Bogey Hex. Poor James couldn't figure out the countercurse for an hour."

"I was being a gentleman." James said through a mouthful of food, spraying all of us in his vicinity.

"Of course you are." Lily said, her nose wrinkling in disgust. She managed to regain her appetite for a slice of treacle tart while I ate a small cup of pumpkin creme brulee. I could feel Remus watching me, but every time I glanced over, his attention was focused elsewhere. Mouth tight, I finished my dessert and waited for the plates to clear.

When they did, Dumbledore rose back to his feet and stood at the golden podium, the golden owl spreading its wings. An expectant hush fell over the Great Hall, the light dimming slightly.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts." Dumbledore intoned, nodding to each of the four tables in turn. "First years, it is my duty to inform you that it is prohibited for you to mount a broomstick except under the instruction of Madame Hooch. And to all," his electric blue gaze lingered on James, Remus, Sirius, and I, "the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds for every student."

"Why's he looking at us?" James muttered sycophantically, rolling his eyes.

"Why wouldn't he look at us?" I responded wryly, earning a snigger from James and Sirius.

"It is also my privilege to welcome our newest staff member." Dumbledore went on, extending one arm toward the staff table. "Please welcome Sylva Fox, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"They hire a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor more often than they give their staff a pay raise." Sirius remarked blandly.

At first, no one saw the newest addition to the Hogwarts staff. Mutters and whispers broke out among the students, but were stunned into silent disbelief when a tiny girl stood up from her chair at the staff table. Her enormous blue eyes took in the students before her, her blonde hair glinting like silver in the moonlight.

"No way!" I hissed to Sirius. "That's the girl who was sitting with us on the carriage!"

"She can't be old enough to teach." Sirius replied, his gray eyes wide. "She looks barely old enough to be a first year!"

The sound of confusion rose into a cacophony. The dimple-cheeked little girl smiled wickedly, and then, in a lightning-fast shimmer of color, she was gone.

In her place stood a young woman with long silver hair tied back in a tail that reached halfway down her back. Her golden eyes glittered in the reflection of the candles as she took a slight bow. The Great Hall erupted in applause.

"How'd she do that?" James demanded, adjusting his glasses and squinting beadily at the woman.

"Blimey." Sirius said, shaking his head. "She can't be over thirty. She looks too young."

"I think she's a Metamorphmagus." Lily said academically. "Or she's a master at Transfiguration."

"But Metamorphmagus are really rare, aren't they?" I asked, frowning.

"Only one or two born every generation." Remus confirmed. "I wonder how Dumbledore found her."

"She'll never replace Mara, though," Sirius said fondly. "She was a goddess."

"Oh, keep your tongue in your mouth, Padfoot." James said tartly, rolling his hazel eyes. "We all know you fancied Mara."

"She's a very attractive woman." Sirius shrugged. "But she's too old for me."

"I have a feeling this one's going to keep us on our toes." I predicted, watching Professor Sylva Fox take her seat once more. "I'll have to ask her if she's really a Metamorphmagus."

"And now, for one final word." Dumbledore announced. "As many of you are now aware, there has been a significant rise in the activity of the Dark Arts. Therefore, I must warn each and every one of you to remain vigilant. Trust your friends. Believe in love. And stand up for what is right, even when it's not easy."

"That's a little cheesy, isn't it?" Sirius joked to James, who sniggered. Lily rolled her eyes at them as Dumbledore said, "Off to bed! Pip pip!"

The scraping of benches and drone of voices filled the air as students rose to their feet. I stumbled slightly, my leg stiff and pained. Gritting my teeth, I steadied myself against the table. Looking up, I saw many students eyeing me curiously and quickly averting their gazes as they walked past. I blushed, remembering my scars. I shook out my long hair to hide my face like a curtain.

"You alright, Amber?" Remus asked. "You look like you're hurting."

"I'll go see Madame Pomfrey." I told him. "I need something for my leg. It's stiffer than a dead log."

"I'll walk you." Remus offered, but Lily shook her head.

"We can't go with her, Remus. We're Prefects, remember? We have to guide the first years to the Common Room."

Remus sighed. "I forgot. We'll see you later, Amber." With a regretful look, he and Lily walked away, gathering the tiny first years around them like baby chicks. I watched them go, feeling a pang of jealousy and unease. Remus was still single. So was Lily. But I wasn't.

Why then, did I feel this unfair jealousy and anger at the two of them?

They're good together, that's why. A small voice told me as I sat down on the bench, waiting for the mass exodus to subside so I wouldn't be jostled by the crowd. James and Sirius were already having a field day, shouting, "Levicorpus!" at random students and hollering with laughter as they were hoisted into the air by the ankle.

I had never waited for the crowd of students to subside before. It took a surprisingly short amount of time. Everyone seemed eager to get to their Common Rooms and discuss their summers with friends they hadn't seen on the Hogwarts Express. Before long, I was alone. The only ones still inside were the staff members, talking quietly among themselves at the long table.

A grizzled old man with a missing leg and arm shuffled down, his one good eye glaring beadily at me. The other was milk-white and blind.

"What're you doing here, Harkstone?" grunted Professor Kettleburn. "Waiting to talk to the house elves? They'll be out here any moment to clean up this mess." He gestured to the countless spills, crumbs, and muddy shoe prints all over the Great Hall.

"Just tired." I responded vaguely, unaware that I was gripping my left leg. Professor Kettleburn made a noise.

"If your leg is bothering you, I've got something that'll help." He said gruffly. "I get the phantom pains all the time."

"What happened to your leg?" I asked, pointing to his peg leg. "Why isn't it there anymore?"

"Dragon." Professor Kettleburn said indifferently. "I was trying to take a few eggs from a mother, and she came back to her nest faster than I anticipated. She took a piece of me with her before I killed her, though. Real shame. Dragons are magnificent creatures. Highly misunderstood, if you ask me. They're vicious because we've made them vicious." His good eye focused on me. "Werewolf got you good, didn't he?"

I nodded, remembering that Kettleburn had been one of the few to witness my near-death. "Yeah. He did."

"Well, it's no use feeling sorry for yourself." Kettleburn said. "Come on. Hospital wing tonight. You come down to my cabin anytime. Even if it's just so you can get away without entering that forest again."

I shivered, remembering the awful night in the Forbidden Forest when I had survived not only one, but two werewolves during a full moon. "Thanks, Professor."

"Call me Kettleburn." he corrected. "I get enough grovel from other students. Need me to walk you to Pomfrey?"

"I'm fine." I said, the cold waves of dread washing over me again. I felt sick, like I had eaten too much food. But I knew it wasn't the food that was making me feel this way. It was the memory of that black, evil forest, knowing I would be sleeping beside it for the next year. I shut my eyes tightly against the image of the werewolf and its glowing eyes, lunging at me in the black trees.

"You get yourself to bed, missy." Kettleburn advised. "And you watch yourself."

I left the Great Hall without answering. I couldn't give him my word that I would, because I knew that I was a danger magnet. For whatever reason, I attracted it in droves.

By the time I reached Madame Pomfrey's, I was in tears from the radiating pain in my leg. It was so intense that it felt like a red-hot poker were being applied to my muscles. Madame Pomfrey saw me hobble inside and flew over, flapping her arms like a frantic mother hen.

"Miss Harkstone, sit down at once!" she demanded. I didn't need telling twice. I collapsed onto the nearest cot, my shirt sticking to my skin with sweat.

"You should have come directly to me." Madame Pomfrey said crossly, pointing her wand at my left leg. A soft green light glowed from the tip. The moment she touched it to my skin, the pain subsided.

"I had to eat first." I told her sheepishly. "I hadn't eaten all day."

"Well, you're lucky you didn't do permanent damage." Madame Pomfrey snapped. "Normal wounds are one thing, but cursed ones…" she shook her head. "You need to take better care of yourself or you're going to end up back in St. Mungo's. Or worse, you'll end up with a peg leg like Kettleburn!"

"I could pull it off, though. The whole pirate look." I grinned at her, wiping the sweat off my brow. "I'm sorry. I was in a hurry."

She sighed loudly. "Nothing we can do about that now. If you're not going to use your crutches or your cane, you need to sit down more often and do your stretches. Do them, Miss Harkstone. No matter how much it hurts. It'll keep the muscles from atrophying." She turned to her desk and returned a moment later with a steaming goblet full of purple liquid. "Drink it. All of it. It'll help with the pain."

I drained it in one gulp. I had long since outgrown my distaste for medicine.

"Good." She placed the goblet on the nightstand. "Now, you understand that you'll be coming to me every month on the full moon. Remus Lupin is a good friend of yours?"

I nodded. "My best friend."

"Then you know why he comes to see me every month?"

Less vigorously, I nodded again.

"Then you understand why you'll both be going to the Shrieking Shack during full moons. You'll be in one part of the house and he'll be in the other. It's for your own safety, and for the safety of others."

Madame Pomfrey didn't mince words. Sighing, I rubbed the back of my neck. "I understand."

"Good. Rest here for another minute and then straight up to the Ravenclaw Common Room." She hesitated. "Are you sure you don't want a cane, dear? It's a long walk, and it's up in that tower…"

"No, really." I said firmly. "I don't want a cane. I'm not that old." I pictured Minnie and her own cane, her wild candyfloss hair and her wrinkled skin and rancid attitude. I shook my head wryly. "I'm not ready for that yet."

"Alright." Madame Pomfrey conceded. "I'll be with you in a moment. I have another patient to attend to."

I watched her bustle away to a cot near her office. There was someone lying on it, who moaned like a baby when she touched his head.

"Now, now," Madame Pomfrey chided, "surely it doesn't hurt that much anymore, dear?"

"It scared me." the voice complained. At first, I thought it was a girl. But then I realized it was a boy. Because I knew that voice.

"It could have been much worse, dear." Madame Pomfrey said. "Now, do you feel well enough to go back to your Common Room?"

"I can try." The boy said feebly. He slowly rose from the bed and jerkily made his way down to the doors near my cot. He was barely recognizable, with bruises covering his face and his eyes swelling so they were almost shut. But I knew that squeaky voice and that mousy brown hair.

"Peter?" I gasped.