A/N I feel so bad because I haven't updated in sooo long. I've been away in Maine and haven't had the time nor wifi to update the story. Updates may be slightly spotty for the next week or so but then I'll be back. The good thing is I've written a good portion of this story so updates will be long and frequant as soon as I get back to civilization. Until then, enjoy this next chapter.

Chapter 5: Back to Hogwarts

"You two are so adorable." I opened my eyes blearily, wincing at the bright light streaming in through the open curtains. I never leave the curtains open for this exact reason.

"They are adorable, aren't they?" came another voice. This time the voice actually registered in my head as Ginny's, so I chucked a pillow in that general direction. There was still an arm around me, and I had a minor heart attack before remembering that I ended up staying with Harry that night. The boy in question was still fast asleep, his glasses slightly askew on his face. I pushed him off me and he stirred.

"What time is it?" he moaned.

"8 am," Callie said. "You two need to get up. We're leaving in an hour." I sighed and chucked another pillow in that direction, but got up anyway, pulling Harry up also.

While Harry changed in his room, I went to my own, threw on an old camp t-shirt, an oversized Yankees sweatshirt, and legging, brushing my hair into a messy bun and lacing up my combat boot. I shooed Phire into her crate and Addy into her cage before shutting my trunk and taking all of it into the hallway along with my broom. Hermione was out there talking to Ginny and Callie, all of them standing by trunks and cages.

"Are you guys ready to go?" I asked, pulling my trunk over to them.

"What sweat shirt is that?" Ginny asked.

"Oh, it's a Yankees sweatshirt," I said.

"Yeah, but who are the Yankees?" Ginny asked, still confused.

"Only the best baseball team in America," I said, then added, "but you don't know what baseball is, do you." Ginny shook her head. "It's like… well it's a sport," I offered, before giving up on it when Harry and Ron walked out of Harry's room.

"Can we leave now?" Ron asked loudly. Hermione rolled her eyes. "At ;east I can get away from Percy when we get to Hogwarts. Now he's saying that I dripped tea on the picture of his girlfriend. I can't believe anyone would actually date him. There is obviously something wrong with Penelope Clearwater."

"Yes, great job on that one, Ron," George said, coming over with Fred.

"Yes, even we didn't think of that," Fred added.

"Can we go to breakfast," Hermione said with a sigh, obviously done with the Weasley's antics. The eight of us made our way to breakfast, where Mr. Weasley was reading a prophet and Mrs. Weasley was trying to calm down Percy.

"Good, everyone's here!" Mr. Weasley said, clapping his hands together. "The cars from the ministry are here. Everyone grab something to eat and let's go." The cars were big, black vans. "They were supposed to send small cars, but I guess they got word that we had a bigger party than we thought. Let's see, they seat eight? Alright, so Harry, Emma, Ron, Hermione, Callie, and Ginny, get into this car," he motioned towards the closest car and ushered us in, casting glances to either side. He shut the door, said a couple of other things, than got into the car himself. "Everyone ready?" We all muttered various forms of 'yes'. "Then let's go."

The journey to King's cross was fairly uneventful. Ginny, Callie, and I were shoved into the back of the car with Ron, Hermione, and Harry in front of us respectively. We made it to Kings cross twenty minutes before we had to actually be on the train. The Ministry workers shared a few words with Mr. Weasley before we made our way into the station.

Mr. Weasley stayed between Harry and me the entire way to the platform, sending cautionary glances both ways. In return, Callie and Ginny were sending me questioning glances and it looked like Ron and Hermione were doing the same to Harry.

We made it to the platform and Mr. Weasley announced, "Let's do this in pairs. I'll go with Emma, Molly go with Harry, Hermione and Ron, Callie and Ginny, twins, and Percy can go by himself. Alright?" We all nodded. Mr. Weasley motioned me forward while pushing my trolley. I followed him and we strolled casually up to the barrier before leaning on it and sliding through. Harry and Mrs. Weasley followed, and soon we were all on the platform.

"Ahh! There's Penelope," Percy said, smoothing back his hair, straightening his Head boy badge, and striding over to a ravenclaw with long, curly hair.

"Should we go find a compartment?" I asked as the train started to fill up. The twins went off, going to find their friend Lee Jordan, so Ginny, Ron, Harry, Hermione, a wide eyed Callie, and I went off. I waved to a couple of other second years including Luna Lovegood and Danny Williams, both Ravenclaws.

"Were we really that small?" I whispered to Ginny as we passed a couple of small students that looked like first years.

"We couldn't be," Ginny replied.

"You're not to tall yourself," Callie replied defensively. It was true. The small black headed girl was at least 5'2" and I was only 5 foot.

"Shut up, Death face," I replied, shoving the younger girl.

"Anything you say, Supergirl," Callie replied with a smirk.

"Will you two stop it with the power nicknames," Harry said, rolling his eyes.

"What do you mean?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"Nothing," we all said quickly. We got to the train and we loaded our trunks onto the landing.

"Be safe," Mrs. Weasley said, kissing each of her children, including Hermione, Harry, Callie, and I. "Stay out of trouble, alright?"

"Harry, Emma, can I speak with you for a second," Mr. Weasley said quietly, motioning to a pillar. Harry and I followed him over, leaving the others questioningly glancing after us.

"There's something I want to tell you two," Mr. Weasley started, his voice tense and slightly strained.

"It's fine, Mr. Weasley," Harry said. "We know."

"You know?" Mr. Weasley asked, confused.

"Yeah," I agreed. "Harry overheard you and Mrs. Weasley talking, then the two of us talked together."

"That's not how I wanted you guys to find out," Mr. Weasley said, worriedly.

"But it's the best way we could have found out," I reasoned.

"Yeah, that way you don't break your promise to Fudge," Harry said. "And we know what's happening."

"You two must be very scared," Mr. Weasley said.

"It's honestly alright, Mr. Weasley," I said. "I mean, really. Sirius Black can't be much worse than Voldemort is, can he?" Mr. Weasley flinched at his name.

"Harry, Emma, I knew you guys were stronger than Fudge seems to think, but-"

"Arthur, hurry!" Mrs. Weasley called as the train whistle blew.

"I need you guys to give me your word that-"

"We'll stay in the castle?" Harry guessed while I said, "Won't get ourselves in danger."

"Sort of," Mr. Weasley agreed. "I need you guys to promise me you won't go looking for Black, no matter what happens. Alright?"

"Why would we go looking for Black?" I asked as a train whistle blew.

"He want's to kill us, yeah?" Harry agreed.

"Just swear to me-"

"Arthur, hurry!" Mrs. Weasley called. Mr. Weasley had one more worried glance pass his face before shooing us over to the train. We climbed on as a guard walked down and shut the door that we had just gone through.

Ron threw open the door to the train and we ran in, waving to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley until we turned a corner and they went out of view.

"I need to talk to you guys," Harry said.

"We need to talk to you," I amended. "What compartment are we sitting in again?"
"We've got to find one," Hermione admitted. "We didn't get onto the train until late."

"Well let's go," I replied. The six of us walked down the train, looking into compartments and waving to a couple of our friends and introducing Callie along the way.

"What about here?" Ginny asked, motioning to a compartment at the end of the train with only one older man inside.

"It's the only one left, so I guess we have no other choices," Callie said, yanking the door open and taking a seat. The compartment was rather big, having three different benches that fit three people each, so it wasn't a tight fit. I went on the window side and took a seat, Ginny sitting next to me, and Callie sitting on the bench next to ours and next to the man. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat on the last bench, and we stored all of our trunks up top.

"Who d'you reckon he is?" Ron asked, being, as usual, very blunt.

"Professor R. J. Lupin," Hermione whispered. I guess we were whispering now.

"How do you know that?" Ginny asked, once again whispering.

"It's on his case," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. Of course she realized that. She realizes everything. She literally could have been a daughter of Athena and no one would have batted an eyelash.

"What does he teach?" Callie asked.

"I d'know," Ron said. "He's new."

"Obviously Defense," I replied. "What other positions are needed to be filled?"

"I hope he's better than Umbridge," Ginny sighed.

"Yeah she was a right-" Ron started

"Ronald!" Hermione cried. "Little kids and teachers!"
"Oi, i'm not little!" Callie and I cried. Everyone stared at me. "Sorry," I muttered. "Instincted."

"Well you are little," Callie replied.

"Stuff it, Death face."

"There you are!" Astoria pulled open the door to the carriage and flounced in, her usual graceful self, and plopped in the seat next to Callie. "I literally searched the entire train for you guys." She turned to Lupin. "Who's this and who," she turned towards Callie, "are you?"

"Professor R. J. Lupin and Callie," I said.

"Ohhhh, new girl," Astoria said, sticking out her hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Astoria, resident Slytherin. Or," she said, smirking at me, "'Toria."

Ginny snickered. "'Toria?" she laughed.

"I was just trying something out!" I protested.

"You're just trying everything out, aren't you, Supergirl," Callie said.

"Death Face."

"Bird Brain."

"Ooooh, new one," I said. "Very nice, Ghost kid."

"I try, Air girl."

"Are they always like that?" Astoria asked.

"Most of the time," Harry supplied. "You kind of get used to it. They are cousins."

"Yeah, so are you guys," Ginny said.

"I thought you were siblings," Callie said.

"Adopted siblings, actually cousins," I said. "It's a… long story."

"Wait, so let me guess," Astoria said. "Hades?"

"You know Greek Mythology?" Callie asked.

"Course. The parents pretty much made us learn every Mythology known to man. I also can talk in five different languages." Astoria stretched herself out.

"I can speak Greek," I supplied.

"I can speak English," Harry added.

"Maybe I'll teach others to you at some time," Astoria offered.

"So what did you want to tell us?" Hermione asked, ever the one to stay on topic.

With occasional help from me, Harry explained the meeting that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had at the bar and the warning that Mr. Weasley gave to us before we left. After we finished, Ginny and Ron shared similar thunderstruck looks, Astoria looked confused, Hermione had her hands over her mouth, and Callie looked slightly startled.

"Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban… to come after you?" Astoria asked.

"Harry, Emma, you guys have to be really carefull! Don't go looking for trouble-" Hermione said, lowering her hands.

"I don't go looking for trouble!" Harry protested.

"Yeah," I added. "Trouble normally just taps us on the shoulder just to say hi."

"It's not funny!" Hermione cried when Ginny started to chuckle.

"How thick would Harry have to be to go looking for someone that wants to kill him," Ron said, shakily.

"What about me?" I asked, noting my definite lack of inclusion.

"We all know you can hold your own in a fight, Em," Ron said. "And also, you're not as dumb as Harry."

"Hey!" Harry said.

"You know it's true," I teased.

"Speaking of which," Hermione said. "Are you excited for Ancient Runes this year?"

"Yes!" I said. This year, I was taking runes even though it was a third year class. I guess photographic memories do come in handy. "I read all the course books last year so I picked up a couple of books on advance runology over the summer and have been reading that as well as the other books you guys got me," I smiled at them. "Thanks for that, by the way."

"Anything from the trolley, dears?" the trolley lady said, pulling open our carriage door.

"Thank gods," Callie muttered. "I don't think I could have lived with listening to Hermione and Emma spout off what books they read." Callie surveyed the trolley and looked fairly confused.

"That's like a chocolate bar," I offered, pointing to the chocolate frogs. "Just in frog form."

"I'll take two of those and the… jelly beans?" Callie offered.

The trolley lady laughed and passed Callie two frogs and two every flavored beans.

We all ordered our sweets, then Hermione said, "Do you think we should order something for him?" She gestured towards where Professor Lupin was fast asleep.

"Don't worry, dearies," the witch said, handing out our candy. "If he's hungry when he wakes up, send him to me. I'll be in the front with the driver."

"This candy is good," Ron said, "but I'm more excited for the stuff at Honeydukes."

"What's that?" I asked.

"It's the sweet shop at Hogsmeade," Ron explained, looking slightly dreamy.

"You'll have to tell me how it is," Harry said, looking depressed.

"What d'you mean?" Ron asked.

"I can't go. The Dursley's didn't sign my permission form," Harry said.

"You're not allowed to come! But- no way- McGonagall or someone will give you permission!" Ron said incredulously.

"Where's your form?" Callie asked, looking bored.

"Why?" Harry asked, going to his trunk and pulling out a piece of parchment.

"Just give it here," Callie said. "And what's your guardian's name?"

"Vernon Dursley," Harry said, confused.

"Can I borrow your phone?" Callie asked. "I need to look something up." I pulled out my phone, a rather high tech model that Max from the Hephaestus cabin whip up for me.

Callie typed a couple of things into the keypad scrolled through a couple of things before her face lit up.

"What are you doing?" I asked when she pulled out a pen from her bag.

"Living on the streets has taught me a thing or two about forging signatures," Callie explained, carefully writing out a signature on the piece of parchment. "And if there is one thing I've learned from watching you on your computer, it's that you can find anything on the web. And… done!" Callie held up the parchment, now with a signature looking like Vernon Dursley on it.

"How did you do that?" Harry said, his eyes wide.

"I thought I just explained," Callie said, rolling her eyes. "Living on the streets in the 1920s teaches you a thing or two."

"Hold up," Ron said. "19...20s?"
"I guess we have another story to tell," I said, rolling out my shoulders and sending Callie a glance. "They were going to figure it out sooner or later. They already know we're demigods. How hard can it be for them to get this?"

Callie told them the same story that she told me all those weeks ago back in the infirmary at camp. "So yeah," she finished. "I'm kind of old, I guess."

"You guess?" Ginny said, wide eyed. "You're like… 70."

"I-" Callie began, but the compartment door was pulled open and revealed Draco Malfoy standing with his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.

"What do you want?" I asked sighing.

"Well, if it isn't the Potties and Weasels. Oh, and the mudblood and blood traitor." Crabbe and Goyle chuckled like trolls. "I heard your father finally got his hands on some money, Weasley. Did your mother die of shock?"

"Oh shut up, Malfoy," I said.

"Or what, Potter? Not much you can do, is there?" Malfoy smirked.

I tried to stand up, but Ginny pulled me down, muttering "Leave it, Em."

I crashed back down, knocking over Phire's cage causing the cat to shriek. Professor Lupin stirred and snorted, causing Malfoy to look up. While he was confused, I used the air to push him back into the hallway.

"Who's that?" Malfoy said, stumbling around.

"New teacher," Callie said.

"You were saying, Malfoy?" Harry said.

Malfoy narrowed his eyes, obviously not foolish enough to pick a fight in front of a teacher.

"C'mon," he muttered, and the three Slytherins walked out of the carriage. I willed the air to slam the door after them.

"Well they're jerks," Callie said.

"Bright observation," I muttered.

"I'm not taking any crap from Malfoy this year," Ron said, looking furious. Ginny was fuming next to him.

"If he makes one more crack about mum and dad," Ginny said, making a gesture that I've only ever seen a child of Ares make.

"Ginny!" Hermione hissed, obviously taken aback. "Be careful! There's a teacher in here!" But Lupin was still asleep, and the train sped on, oblivious to what was happening inside.