Harry, Hermione and Ron bustled into their classroom, grins on their faces, quickly followed by fellow pupils.

Harry couldn't help noticing the boy he and Hermione had seen wasn't with them.

He spotted Remus and Sirius at the front of the classroom, Sirius looking a bit nervous, while Remus was casual.

He sat in between Ron and Hermione and turned to Hermione.

"Where's the new kid?"

Hermione frowned slightly and sighed.

"His name is Corbin and I don't know. Why should I…?"

Harry shrugged, sensing Hermione was a bit irritated. A shuffle from the doorway made him look around.

Corbin walked into the classroom, and sat on one of the back tables, looking tired and almost slumping into his seat. Harry wondered why he was late…

"To start off this lesson I want to recap some of the stuff we did last year…Now, can anyone tell me whether a grindylow is an earth or water type?"

Remus walked in front of his desk, leaving Sirius behind. He crossed his arms and scanned the classroom.

Harry knew by the slight wave of air that cooled his cheek that Hermione had already raised her hand.

Remus was smiling, and began to point at Hermione when he noticed something at the back.

"..Corbin..?"

The boy at the book had his arm raised as well, and Harry went into shock. Hermione wasn't as fast as answering as he thought she was…

"A water type, professor."

Remus nodded in acknowledgement.

"Correct. Ten points to Gryffindor."

Hermione slowly put down her hand, a disgruntled but surprised look on her face.

And so the lesson carried on…

It was the end of the lesson by now, and everyone began to pack away their things. Harry noticed Remus walk past him, and could just about make out the words 'late' and 'after class.'

He glanced around to see Corbin nod and lower his eyes, and Remus walking back to the front of the classroom.

"You may all go. And don't forget your homework next lesson."

Several of the pupils cheered and most of the class had already bundled out of the door. Harry, Ron and Hermione quickly walked away as well, not after congratulating Remus and Sirius on their lesson.

Once all the pupils had gone, Remus motioned Corbin to a seat in front of his desk, who took it. Sirius sat beside him, and together they both stared at the young Remus look alike.

"Why were you late, Corbin?" Remus asked, leaning back in his seat.

Corbin kept his eyes glued to the desk, his hair falling over his eyes. He shrugged.

Sirius decided to step up on his teacher duties.

"There has to be a reason."

Corbin shrugged again.

"You can answer us you know…" Sirius said slowly. This made Corbin look sharply up. He swallowed then started.

"I'm sorry professors. I don't know why I was late. Must have lost track of time, or something…"

He shifted awkwardly in his seat, and Remus and Sirius could both easily see this boy was hiding something.

A silence followed, and then Remus stood.

"You can go now Corbin. Just don't be late again."

Corbin stood hurriedly, nodding at both of them before walking out of the room, pulling a book from his bag as he went.

"That boy reads too much." Chuckled Sirius, turning to Remus who was still looking at the spot where Corbin had sat.

"Yes…He is a bit of a book worm, but its nothing to be ashamed about. He certainly knows a lot about magic, especially since he hasn't attended Hogwarts before…I find it a bit…strange…"

"Yeh! He was answering before Hermione! I have to congratulate him!" Sirius laughed.

Remus smiled as well, then turned to look at Sirius.

"I think we should talk to Harry and his friends soon."

Harry yawned loudly and slowly opened his eyes. The atmosphere hadn't changed much. Nearly every pupil in sight had their head on their desk, apart from Hermione, who always sat up straight in History of Magic.

He took a spare glance at his book and groaned. He didn't realise anything could be so boring. He wished he was still in DADA with Sirius and Remus.

A note fluttered his way, and he quickly ran a hand through his hair before opening it.

You bored?

Harry turned around to see a smiling Ron sitting a few rows back. Ron grabbed his quill and started to pretend to write in mid air, signalling for Harry to reply. Harry stuck his tongue out at Ron then turned back to the note.

Idiot. Anyway, of course I'm bored. I didn't know you were allowed to be anything else in here…

He closed the note again, and quickly sent it back to Ron who opened it hastily. A reply soon came.

Hehe. History of Magic…I can't believe we have to sit through this tomorrow as well… at least Hermione enjoys it.

Harry looked over to his left to see Hermione with her armed raised in the air, moving it left and right as though her life depended on answering the question. The only other person with their hand up was Corbin, but he looked a lot more calmer about not being picked, with occasional glances at his open book.

Yeh, well, that's Hermione for you. Plus, it looks like Corbin is having fun as well, so maybe she isn't the only person in Hogwarts who likes this lesson.

Corbin..?

The boy over to the right of the classroom. Near the middle. Please don't tell me you haven't noticed him.

Sorry, I haven't. The guy isn't noticeable. Looks a little tired though…I'm surprised he hasn't fallen asleep like everyone else has.

How can someone not be noticeable?

Easily.

How so?

Well, for a start he looks normal. He doesn't talk much, and he reads a lot from the looks of it.

Ron, Hermione used to be like that….in a way.

Weeeeeell, I guess she was. Bu, hey, after she met us we changed her. And now look. She's a better person, see? Well…better than she was.

So you're saying our natural charm, sophistication and charisma changed Hermione's personality…? Or maybe it was just your arrogance.

Hey! I'm not arrogant. But in a way, yes we changed her. And in a way she changed us, remember? If it wasn't for her we wouldn't have touched a book. Which means we wouldn't have got our essays and homework done. Which means we would have got detentions. Detentions of which would affect us in later life. Who knows what awful things might have happened to us if she hadn't saved us.

Uh hu. Well, I guess you're right. But back to the subject. Corbin seems all right. He just seems a little…

Tense?

No.

Quiet?

Kinda…

Mysterious?

Exactly the word I was looking for. And secretive. I just feel sorry for him…he doesn't seem to have any friends at the moment.

It doesn't look like he wants any, really.

Everyone needs friends, Ron.

Maybe he doesn't. The way I see it, he seems perfectly happy the way he is. Just a little bit tired. Maybe has trouble sleeping. But there you go. Everyone has problems.

You're right…suspiciously enough…it's almost time to go, better finish the note.

All right.

Harry caught the note in his hand and stuffed it in his bag, rubbing his eyes as he walked out of the room with his two best friends.

He could see Corbin rushing forward, down the corridor to the left, his robes billowing out behind him.

Frowning in confusion as to where the boy was planning on heading to, he turned back to Ron who he had heard say something.

Ron pinched his arm.

"Harry? You awake?"

"Yes! And don't pinch me again!"

Hermione giggled at the bickering friends.

"I asked you something, you know."

"…Oh, sorry. I didn't hear."

"Well, I'll repeat. Shall we go to the common room?"

Harry nodded, feeling eager to retreat to the warm cosiness of the plush armchairs beside the fireplace with his friends.

They made their way there, when a voice stopped Harry in his tracks.

"Hey Potty! Having a nice time with the disgusting mudblood and weasel?"

Malfoy's voice was cold and mocking, a tone which Harry had grown accustomed to hearing regularly. He clenched his fists and turned around to face the sneering features of Draco, whose loyal friends Crabbe and Goyle stood beside him.

"What do you want Malfoy?"

"I want to know why you and your pathetic friends still attend Hogwarts. I had hoped that by now the ministry would have taken Dumbledore's duties and expelled you lot."

Harry felt a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to see Hermione shoot him a warning glance, but when he looked back Ron had already whipped his wand out from behind him.

Harry followed suit, and together they murmured a spell they had been working on the past few weeks.

Malfoy raised into the air, as their wands pointed upwards and with flicks of their hands they turned him upside down in mid air.

Malfoy was yelling and shaking, and Crabbe and Goyle, being as clueless as they usually were, backed away from the commotion, leaving a distressed Draco.

"PUT HIM DOWN THIS INSTANT!"

Harry and Ron both turned to see a livid looking Remus and a pale looking Sirius, both wearing shocked expressions on their faces.

Remus walked over to Malfoy and helped him up, turning to Harry and Ron.

"Apologise." He said through gritted teeth.

Harry looked down at the ground. So did Ron. He could feel Hermione move uncomfortably behind them.

"Sorry." He said slowly, cursing himself for giving in to his guardian.

Ron repeated his words, his mouth feeling like it was stuffed with ashes.

Remus let go of Malfoy and sent him on his way then grabbed Harry and Ron and dragged them inside his and Sirius's classroom, muttering to Hermione to wait outside.

Remus pulled the teenagers over to his desk and pushed them into the seats, whilst Sirius closed the door behind them.

"Look at me, both of you."

Harry and Ron carefully looked up.

Sirius walked over and sat opposite Harry.

"Harry," he sighed, "You don't use spells on other pupils."

Harry exploded.

"MALFOY WAS INSULTING M AND MY FRIENDS! I HAD TO DO SOMETHING! ANYWAY, YOU CANT PATRONIZE ME WITH THAT CRAP. I SAW YOU AND MY FATHER DO IT TO SNAPE IN THE PENSIEVE."

Harry stood, fuming, his face set with an angry expression. He didn't know where all this anger had come from…

Sirius stood as well, and he grabbed Harry's arms, stopping the boy from walking away while Remus forced Harry's chin up so he could look in his eyes.

"Sirius regrets what he used to do. But just because he made those mistakes, doesn't mean you have to repeat them Harry. I advise you to keep your wands in your pockets, not pointing at other pupils. You may live to regret it. Look at me."

Harry warily looked into Remus's amber eyes before Sirius made him turn to look at him.

"Harry, please, I know it's hard to ignore comments made by others, but truthfully, it's really not worth it. Don't be angry."

Harry sighed and nodded, and both of his guardians turned to Ron who was still sat on the chair, eyes averted from their gaze.

"The same goes for you Ron. I don't think your mother would like to find out about this." Said Remus.

Ron tensed then relaxed, looking up and nodding.

Remus and Sirius looked pleased now, but were obviously not finished yet.

"You can go now, Ron, if you wish." Said Sirius, looking between Remus and Ron.

Ron looked curious, but grabbed his bag and walked to the door. Harry made a move after him, but was stopped by Sirius.

"No Harry. Me and Remus want to talk to you about something."

"Oh, ok." Said Harry.

He sat back down again, and stared at both of his godfathers, who both sat down again.

Remus crossed his arms.

"Harry, do you know the boy, Corbin Akren in your class?"

"…Yeh, well, kind of. He's the quiet boy, but pretty smart. About as smart as Hermione. Maybe smarter."

"Yes, he is quite intellectual for a boy his age…But truthfully, me and Sirius are a bit worried about him. He's becoming late in lessons and I haven't seen any reason to why this is. I was wondering if you could maybe try and befriend him for a while. I think he may be lonely."

Harry was surprised at this.

"Sure," he said slowly, "No problem."

Remus looked relieved and Sirius pleased, and both of them hugged Harry, who wriggled away.

"Hey! Just cause I'm your godson doesn't mean you have the right to hug me in school where anyone could have seen us!"

The godfathers laughed as Harry walked out the classroom, with a quick wave before he left.

"He reminds me so much of James, that its almost scary." Sighed Sirius.

Remus nodded in silent agreement.

Authors note: Hoping you like, please review!