The whole school was distracted. The teachers sympathized with the students and, against their better judgment, cancelled the OWLS. The teachers had decided to have the students take them in their sixth year instead. After two weeks the Ministry still hadn't found Ron or Pettigrew. Harry became more and more restless as the days went on. People were crying everywhere, and almost everyone was sad. Everyone, except Pansy Parkinson was sad. She would walk around the halls, a smile spread across her thin, pale face. This made Hermione absolutely furious.

During potions one day in mid-May Pansy was talking with two other Slytherins about what had happened. Harry was sitting right next to Draco and Hermione who were listening as well.

"I never liked that Riley Evans. She was always so prissy. She thought she was little miss perfect, just because she was pretty. All the boys liked her, but she chose my boyfriend Draco," Pansy said laughing. Malfoy breathed in deep and mumbled a few words to himself. Pansy went on.

"Life without her will be much better. Maybe Draco will come back to me. In fact I'm sure he will, after being with Riley he must need some fresh air. And she owns a cat. A cat! How disgusting. No more Riley Evans. I could have a party. She deserved what she got. Now she's dead. I personally am very glad…" At that moment Harry, Malfoy, Hermione and Snape stood up, but they weren't fast enough. Sugarfoot, who had been sitting on a chair, pounced on Pansy and scratched her face. Blood dripped down Pansy's face.

"How dare you!" Draco yelled.

"That was so low!" Hermione called.

"That is my cousin you're talking about!" Harry screamed angrily.

"That is enough Parkinson, you have crossed the line. Alexa take her up to Madam Pomfrey. 100 hundred points taken from Slytherin." Snape said pointing a trembling finger at Pansy. Before Pansy left the room she called, "I hope Weasley is dead as well. That was enough for Hermione, she had had enough as well.

"You!" Hermione screamed as she ran out of the room. Then everyone heard yelling. Everybody in the classroom turned in their seats and started whispering, as Harry, Malfoy, and Snape ran out of the room. Hermione was on top of Pansy hitting her and screaming. Alexa looked absolutely terrified. Harry and Malfoy pulled Hermione off Pansy. Snape took care of the rest.

"Stop both of you!" he yelled, and then pointed at a group of students who had been watching, they scampered off.

"Now five points from Gryffindor, and another thirty from Slytherin," Snape yelled, Pansy gasped, "And Parkinson you will have two weeks of detention. Now Alexa as I said before take Pansy up to the nurse. Malfoy go get that cat!" Everyone did as they were told. Hermione still hadn't calmed down. She was panting and sobbing, as they walked back into the class. All the students were whispering, and to Harry's surprise no one was laughing. Instead they came up to Hermione and Harry, and started patting them in the back.

Snape walked in and excused everyone from class. They all left the classroom except for Harry. He walked up to Snape's desk, feeling queasy, but he knew what he had to do.

"Professor, thanks for what you did," Harry said quietly. Snape looked up a single tear rolling down his face. He looked down immediately to hide it from Harry.

"You were right Potter," Snape said, "She was my daughter. Harry stood there. The mean glare that was usually on Snape's face was gone, and replaced with tears.

"It must be hard for you," Harry said.

"Yes, it is,"

"Well I better go." Harry turned and walked toward the door, but was stopped by Snape's voice.

"Harry…" Snape whispered, "How long have you known that Riley was your cousin?" Harry turned around to face Snape.

"Since August." Harry replied.

"Was she enjoying Hogwarts?" Snape asked, quickly glancing up at Harry.

"Yes very much."

"Well, that's good." Snape looked down at the papers spread out across his desk. This side of Snape had never been seen by any student. Death must bring out the best and worst in people, Harry thought.

"I hope Miss Granger feels better. She must have had been very angry to do that to Parkinson." Snape suddenly said, awaking Harry from his trance.

"Well she hasn't quite been herself since Ron had been knocked out in December," Harry said sitting down in one of the desks. Snape listened as Harry told him about everything that had been going all year. This surprised Harry very much. Then Snape said something that startled Harry very much.

"So, when was the last time you saw Sirius?" Snape asked, like it was just any old question. Harry's mouth dropped open, which Snape saw.

"I know about him Potter."

"Well, I haven't seen him in a while. Why would you care? I thought you hated him as much as you hate me." Harry snarled. Snape looked shocked.

"I don't hate you Potter, and I don't hate Sirius. I just don't agree with you and him in some ways." Snape replied. Harry believed him

"Well, you did hate my father," Harry shot back at him, crossing his arms over his chest. That seemed to have shocked Snape even more.

"I didn't hate your father either, in fact I envied him. I was also jealous. I always had a little crush on Lily, and when your father married her I was mad. Then I met her sister and everything changed. Your father saved my life. I could never hate him," Snape said, obviously understanding what Harry though. Harry stared at Snape for a moment then got up.

"See you at the next Quidditch game tomorrow then," Harry said, gathering all his books.

"I suppose so." Snape said. Harry walked out of the classroom a smile on his face. Hermione was waiting for him in the common room.

"You know Harry, I had hope. I had hope that Ron would just walk back in here and say it was just a joke. After what Pansy said I realized that he is not coming back Harry. He isn't coming back. Our best friend Ron is dead, and there is nothing we can do about it. I never even got to repay him." Hermione walked past him and out the portrait hole. Harry sat down, and Sugarfoot jumped up on his lap. A thought had just came to him. If Riley could tell the future, why didn't she do something about this?