Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

A/N: Okay, so it's been over a year. And I read HP 7 in a day, and decided that it cannot POSSIBLY be over. So, I'm continuing. I'm starting college in August and inspiration comes and goes but hopefully it'll stay for a while.

That said, this chapter is rather short - but I've got to get into the swing of things again, haven't I? Enjoy!

It looked as though Treasure and Sirius would never reconcile. The conditions of their parting were so unpleasant that nothing good could come of it, and the egos of both parties involved were such that there could be no peace until the score was finally settled. Each thought that the other had been more greatly wronged, and so the only thing for Lily, Laurel and the remaining Marauders to do was watch, wearily, while a war was waged.

Treasure knew that it was unlikely she would survive the Sorting unscathed. The only reason she had a relatively peaceful time on the Hogwarts Express was because it took Violet nearly three hours just to convert the bright blue tentacle Treasure had jinxed him with back into some semblance of a normal human nose. His nose, though of a normal size and shape, refused to adopt its natural hue and instead remained a striking cyan. The purple blisters throbbed painfully as they were Vanished, a job that Sirius entrusted to James once Violet came dangerously close to Vanishing an ear rather than the boil located precariously close to it. Violet simpered annoyingly and clutched Sirius's hand as he roared with pain with each Vanished blister.

Treasure remained, if not happily, then triumphantly in her compartment with Laurel and Remus. The werewolf looked supremely uncomfortable, but one burning glare from Laurel told him that he was not to return to the Marauders' compartment if he expected her company after the feast. Laurel sat with her wand lightly balanced in one delicate hand but Treasure knew from her posture that she was ready to jump up and throw jinxes around if the moment arose.

The train slowed to a stop as they reached their destination, and despite her feelings of anger and dejection, Treasure's spirits lifted as the castle came into view. The grumble in her stomach told her that it was nearly time for the feast, and she eagerly anticipated Hogwarts food followed by her comfortable bed at the top of the Gryffindor tower. With a jolt she realized that she'd have all year to deal with Violet, and, feeling miserable once more, she made her way with Remus and Lupin to the horseless carriages. Distracted, she didn't hear the curse the Sirius aimed her way in time to counter it.

"Tarantallegra!" Sirius shouted, his face flush with anger. Treasure felt the curse hit her and moments later she wobbled about on dancing legs, away from the carriage door and smack into something invisible - but very solid - where a horse would have been harnessed. The whatever-it-was gave a start and started prancing, trying to keep out of Treasure's path. Laurel sprung out of the carriage and hurled an angry hex back at Sirius, and Remus lifted the curse from Treasure who, off balance, fell beneath sharp hooves. She shouted as she felt herself trampled and saw a quick flash of red hair as Lily ran by to comfort the invisible horse into stillness.

Angry voices inquired as to the hold up, and Lily pulled her friend up and helped her into the carriage in order to keep the line moving. Treasure sat, shaking, in the dark compartment with bruises on her face and arms, and a split lip bleeding heavily.

"What was that thing?" she asked, holding her muddied sleeve up to her lip. Lily gently pulled her friend's wrist away and tapped Treasure's lip until the skin sealed itself.

"Thanks," the dark-haired witch said gratefully. "Well?"

"It was a thestral," Remus said quietly.

"A what?"

"A thestral. Horse-like, but without hair or skin, really. It's blind, it's eyes are white. Great big lizard-like wings, and sharp little teeth good for eating raw meat," Laurel said sagely.

"Thank you, Professor Grubbly-Plank," Treasure said moodily, sticking her tongue out to test Lily's handiwork.

"So you all can see it, but me?"

"The only people who can see them are people who have witnessed death," Lily said calmly. Treasure started and stared at her best friend. "My grandfather," the red head explained. Treasured nodded, and then stared at Remus and Laurel.

"Werewolf," Remus muttered.

"Veela blood," Laurel said cheerfully, intertwining her fingers with Remus's. "We don't have to see dead people to see thestrals. Technically, we're creatures!" Remus didn't look as pleased as Laurel at this special condition. Treasure wisely said nothing and instead gingerly touched her eye, which felt as if it had been clobbered with a Bludger.

"You look beautiful, darling," Laurel teased.

"I'll bet," Treasure groused. "Sirius Black doesn't know what's coming to him!"

Remus groaned. "Don't you think it would be better if you just called it a draw? You did the same thing last year! You got him, and he got you - aren't you even now?" Lily and Laurel snorted.

"I'm not the one walking around with a little tramp girlfriend, am I? The nerve of him! Of all the girls in Hogwarts he could have chosen, he had to pick Violet! Violet! Did it ever occur to him that we have to sleep in the same dormitory? That I'm going have to be around that rat-faced little wretch everyday? That I'm never going to have a moment's peace and I'll never hear the end of it from her?" Treasure said wildly as they made their way into the Great Hall.

"Sorry to say it, Tres, but that's probably why he chose her," Lily said quietly, steering Treasure to the opposite end of the table from where Sirius and Violet sat as if glued together. Treasure felt mutinous tears spring to her eyes and battled them back fiercely as the Sorting Hat sang its song.

"That's low, even for him," she snapped. Lily sighed her agreement and loaded double helpings of everything chocolate onto Treasure's plate.