Long time before I got out this chapter, I know. School started like... wow, over a month ago; it really doesn't feel that long. Anyway I'm up to like 10-10:30 doing homework –plus Cross Country. And on the weekends its races and hanging with friends, and a whole lost more. The chapters will come even less frequent then they already do…

Chapter 19: Just another Moon? Disaster strikes!

Padfoot nudged the werewolf lying on the floor with him nose, urging him wake up. With a small growl, Moony sat up; suddenly his eyes grew wide as he looked at the black dog and brown stag in front of him. Padfoot barked happily as he trotted toward the door, his tail swaying from side to side.

Moony pawed the wooded floor, making Padfoot stop and turn around. The great stag's head turned to one side, as if to question the werewolf's actions. The werewolf's reply was a few sniffs and a wolfish bark. The dog barked again and ran over to Moony, sniffing eagerly. As he did so Prongs lowered his head toward the two animals, letting them sniff him as well.

Padfoot gave a few more barks before once again going toward the door, Prongs and Moony followed him this time, Prongs pushing the door open and heading into the tunnel first. Padfoot barked at Moony, and the wolf gave a small nod of his head before following the stag, Padfoot gave a louder bark to the stag ahead of him and followed after Moony.

Out in the grounds of Hogwarts, the werewolf and dog chased each other around playfully while the stag watched. Unlike most times when they did this, Moony did not get angry and actually hurt Padfoot; in fact the werewolf didn't even bare his teeth. Finding this odd, the stag went over to the two canines, asking in some language he didn't truly know why Moony was acting this way.

Moony replied with a bark of joy unusual to the werewolf and said he was much like his human self, only in the body of a werewolf. Padfoot gave a bark of confusion, and the werewolf continued in their odd tongue. He said that he had been giving a potion and had strict rules about when to take it, he had followed them despite the fowl taste, and had awoken in wolf form with his mind still intact.

With a lot of wagging and barking, Padfoot jumped on top of Moony with something alike a grin on his doggy face. With a few hooves and words, the two agreed with Prongs to have a race across the grounds. The three started on Padfoot's bark, running as fast as they could from the edge of the Forbidden Forest, to the school entrance, and back. Prongs had been the winner, with Padfoot and Moony tying in second.

Prongs said they should head back, because he and Padfoot had classes the next morning, and he was really tired. Padfoot gave a few barks of agreement, his tongue sticking out as he panted. Moony agreed, but added that he could go back alone. Prongs and Padfoot dismissed that idea, and soon the three animals where heading back to the whomping willow.

After saying goodbye to Moony, the stag and the dog left by way of the passage once more. Once outside the angry tree, the stag and dog suddenly stopped.

The dog's nose started to shrink as his black fur began to shorten until it became a black robe. Soon, the only black fur left was onto of his head, and that too was quickly changing. The fur became human hair reaching to the end of the human ears that had just appeared. Soon, a teenage boy was sitting where the dog had been moments before, fully dressed in wizard's robes.

As this was happening to the dog, it was also happening to the stag. The great stag's antlers receded into his head until they were no longer visible. His head was changing rapidly, soon a human head with messy black hair and glasses had appeared, his wizard's garb completing itself soon after.

"That was so strange…" Sirius commented as they begun the long walk up to the Gryffindor common room.

"Yeah, we'll have to talk about it tomorrow; he'll be able to explain in better in person." James agreed. Sirius gave a small laugh at the joke, but he didn't say anything.

James froze –he had just heard a distant meow. It sounded like Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris –James wasn't used to dodging a cat, but it couldn't be too hard.

"What do we do?" Sirius asked him in a whisper.

James glanced at Sirius, and then around him, "Run" He said simply. And so they did, and they didn't stop until they reached the Fat Lay's portrait. "Pickle Snout" James said, his hands on his knees from just having run so much.

"You really shouldn't be out so late, it's nearly three!" She said, swinging open to allow them entrance. "Just like two people I used to know…" James and Sirius glanced at each other as they entered.

The crawled into bed with a lot to think about, but they still managed to fall asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.

…

"Dumbledore explained what I had to do with it, and I followed those rules, and…wow." Remus said, lost for words.

"This is so cool!" Sirius said, jumping up from his seat. "Remy, you're saved!"

Remus chuckled, "Not completely, but it's a lot better then before."

"Mr. Walden you are free to go," Madam Pomfrey said, coming out of her office. Remus nodded, throwing the white blankets of him in a hurry. "I have some pepper-up potion if you want some; feel free to come up any time."

"Thank you-"

"But if I have a patent, I'm throwing those two out." She pointed to Sirius and James, who were grinning innocently.

"Madam Pomfrey, you think we would terrorize your patents? Surely you know us better then that…"

"I do know you both well enough, and I've also seen what you know can do. I remember when you gave Lucius Malfoy a real fright when he was in here with the flu, and I do not want that happening again!" She said, shaking her finger at them.

"Third year!" James said, clasping his hands together. "That was so funny; I still remember his face…" But James didn't continue when he noticed the look Madam Pomfrey was giving him. "How do you remember that?"

The midi-witch sighed, "It's hard to forget ones like you." She glanced at Remus, who had moved next to James and Sirius. "Well, out you go." The witch began to push them out the door with a swat of her hand.

"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey." Remus said, she gave him a rare smile before closing the door.

…

"Oh, Harry, this is wrong too!" Hermione said, frustrated. She crossed out a few lines on Harry's paper with her quill. "And you need more detail here; McGonagall will not approve that…"

"Hello, Hermione, Harry." James said merrily, waving as he, Sirius, and Remus entered the common room.

"Hullo" Harry said, sitting up from were he had leaded over to watch Hermione fix his paper for Transfiguration.

Hermione said nothing to them, only a "This is completely wrong…" or a "This is spelt wrong…"

"You must really suck at writing papers, Harry." Sirius commented, peering over Hermione's shoulder and looking at all the red ink standing out from the black. "I think its more red then black."

James laughed, looking at the paper also. "You should pay her for helping you."

"Very funny," Harry replied dryly as Hermione muttered something else about his paper. "Have you guys seen Ron, I haven't seen him all day."

"Nope" Sirius replied cheerfully as he waved his wand and a place of cookies appeared.
"Are you sure he's not in a broom closet somewhere?" He joked as he took a cookie and bit into it.

Hermione gave a large sigh. "Fix your own essay for once; I'm going to the Library." Then she suddenly stood up as she slammed Harry's book closed and stalked off.

"What's her problem?" James asked, stealing one of Sirius' cookies.

"Hermione likes Ron, you two can't tell?" Remus sighed as he ran a hand threw his sandy-brown hair.

"No way!" Sirius gaped at him. "She gets mad at him all the time and she yells at him…she also acts like his mother…"

"They both like each other," Harry said. "They just don't actually realize it, yet."

A grin spread across Sirius's face. "Matchmaker time!"

A similar grin spread across James' face. "Matchmaker, matchmaker make me a match!" The two begun singing at the top of their lungs (earning many looks from the students in the common room) as they headed toward the portrait hole.

"I'm going to kill Wormtail for ever teaching them at song…" Remus muttered to himself as he watched them.

…

"Post is here," Sakura announced as the owls began to fly into the hall. A barn owl flew over to Hermione with the Daily Prophet tied around its leg. Hermione paid the owl like usual as she untied the paper.

The owl flew away as Hermione unfolded the paper. Sakura leaned over and gasped, the headline read 'MUGGLE TOWN ATTACKED, ONE WIZARD DEAD.' She snatched the paper away from Hermione's hands and quickly read over the article. Hermione tried to stop her, but Sakura read it to fast. She threw the paper on the table and stood up abruptly, her eyes started to tear. She ran out of the Hall, Hermione running after her. As Sakura's robes disappeared from sight, Haruka could be seen standing up from the Ravenclaw table and chasing after the two girls.

James grabbed the newspaper from it's spot on Sakura's uneaten plate. "The muggle town of Garstang, England was attacked last night by Death Eaters. Aurors have confirmed that 164 muggles have died in the accident, and one wizard. Alex Mott, thirty-one years old, heard the commotion outside his house and ran outside. He was over taken by Death Eaters and killed after being subjected the cactus curse." He read aloud. "What's she so upset about?"

"Hang on, I think that wizard is the one her and Haruka stay with in the summer, family friend or something." Ron said thoughtfully.

"We should go check on her." Remus said, the others agreed and they left the hall as well.

…

"What's wrong?" Fred asked as he and George came into the portrait hole. They had been gone the past three days to check up on their joke shop, and had just returned.

Harry looked up wearily from his spot on the floor. He and Ron were playing chess for the third time sense they had come up to the common room this morning. James and Sirius were playing a board game with Dean –who had brought it with him from home- on the floor while Remus sat in one of the chairs reading a book.

"The guy that Sakura and Haruka live with in the summer got killed; all the girls have been up there for hours." Harry gestured to the staircase for the girl's dormitories.

"Bummer" George frowned. He and Fred sat down between Harry and Sirius. "How long to you think they'll be up there?"

"Parvati came down not to long ago, she said Sakura and Haruka didn't want to talk or see anyone for a while then went back up stairs." Ron told the twins as he moved a chess piece and took out Harry's last pawn.

A few more hours passed as noon turned into afternoon, and afternoon begun to change into night as the sun started to set. The large Gryffindor group had stayed inside all day, just waiting for Sakura to come down. Neville, Dean, and Seamus brought food up for the group for lunch and dinner and also spent most of the day in the common room with them.

Finally, Hermione appeared, followed by the rest of the sixth-year girls; Sakura and Haruka last. By now, James and Sirius were on the floor, surrounded by a pile of books as they did their homework. Remus was sitting on the couch with Neville, helping him with some homework. Harry was sitting in one of the arm chairs also doing homework while Ron sat on the floor next to his chair struggling with a Rubik's cube that Dean had given him. On the other side of the couch Seamus and Dean were eating ice cream in silence. Sitting away from the group a bit, talking quietly, were the Weasley twins.

"Hi…." Sakura said softly. The large group of boys looked up, smiles on their faces at hearing the girl's voice. "I'm sorry about just running off like that, but I'm sure you know why I did…" They each gave a small nod. Sakura gave a small smile before once again having a sad, far of look. "While we were up there, I got another letter, this one was from my parents. They spoke with Dumbledore, and have decided that it's not safe here. Haruka and I are leaving by muggle plane tomorrow." Tears began to shine on her face again.

"You can't be serious!" Ron bellowed in shock.

Parvati nodded; "her parents won't let them stay," She glanced at Lavender, "Unlike mine."

"Bummer," Seamus and Dean coursed sadly.

"We are leaving here at nine tomorrow, and we're almost done packing." Haruka said softly. "We're saying goodbye to everyone now. We've seen Ginny and the other fifth years; but I have a lot of friends in Ravenclaw I'm going to find."

"I'm going with her to say goodbye." Sakura said stiffly. The boys frowned at her in sadness, but didn't say a word. "We'll come back soon, bye." The group watched the two soon-to-be ex-Gryffindors leave the common room.

…

Sakura opened her eyes wearily at the sound of the alarm; next to her bed Haruka was doing the same. On her other side was Hermione, who was also waking up. She had told Hermione not to wake up when they had to, but she had insisted. The same could be said of the other two girls in the far beds, who were also stirring.

As she pushed the red curtains around her bed aside Sakura felt a twinge of guilt. The girls had told the boys they would be leaving at nine, but they were actually leaving at six. She took the few steps required to reach the foot of her bed where her trunk lay; her muggle clothes that she would be wearing today were sitting onto of her trunk neatly. She picked up the dark blue jeans and pale pink long sleeve shirt and headed into the bathroom.

After showering Sakura cast a drying spell on herself, dressed, and then started brushing her teeth. Once she was done, Sakura left the bathroom carrying her clothes, make-up, and tooth brush. As she left, Haruka entered the bathroom and closed the door. While Haruka was in the bathroom Sakura put the rest of her stuff in her bag. She then set to work on making her bed –one last time.

When Haruka came out Hermione went in. Haruka did the same thing Sakura did while Hermione got ready for the day. Hermione came out much faster then the two other girls, and now it was Lavender's turn. After Lavender Parvati disappeared behind the door, when Parvati came out they all went downstairs; it was now five forty-five in the morning. Waiting in the common room when they came down was Ginny.

When she saw the girls come down –each carrying a bag of luggage- Ginny ran up to them. "Sakura, Haruka!" She cried, throwing her arms around Haruka, then Sakura.

Sakura gave a started look at the younger girl. "Ginny, calm down" She said told the red-head. "We'll come back and visit." Sakura tried to give a smile.

"You'd better," The Weasley huffed. "I'm going to miss you two a lot, all of us will." She added.

"And write all the time, we want to be kept up with everything you're doing." Hermione added.

"And make sure to tell us if you meet any cute guys!" Parvati winked.

"Oh, and send us a picture of him and a description so we can tell you if he's a good catch." Lavender added with a giggle.

Sakura gave a smile, "I'll be sure to do all of those things." Haruka gave a nod of agreement. "But Haruka and I really should be going down now-"

"Hold it, missy, we're coming down with you." Hermione said sternly.

Sakura sighed as she picked up her bags. Haruka picked up her bags as well and they headed down to Dumbledore's office.

"Your escort will be Tonks, who will be meeting you both at the Leaky Cauldron, where you will be flooing too. I wish you the safest of journeys and I welcome you both back here anytime." Professor Dumbledore told them.

"Thank you very much, headmaster." Haruka said. "Goodbye Hermione, Lavender, Parvati, Ginny; I will miss you all very much." She said, throwing the floo powder into the fire. "The Leaky Cauldron!" Haruka called in a strong voice before she disappeared.

Sakura gulped. "Thank you so much, professor; for everything." She gave the old man a surprised hug. "I will miss this school so much. Hermione," She gave Hermione a large hug. "Parvati," She gave the girl a hug also. "Lavender," another hug; "Ginny," Sakura gave her last hug to the red-head.

With a tear, Sakura grabbed her bags and a hand of floo powder "The Leaky Cauldron!" She cried, disappearing from Hogwarts.

………….

Silver Sky Magician: Thanks a lot; actually, my writing really had improved, but I personally wish it could be a lot better. Without trying to be funny, I did it, yay!

Cap'n Emmis Savvy: Well, then you must have liked the ending of this part. I don't think her role in the story will be quite over with, but she'll definitely be a back round character now; she'll be sending those letters though.