A/N: I'm horrible!! I know!! I'm sooo sorry. I had this all saved on my laptop that when I got back decided not to work :(. Like the cord to charge the battery or just have it feed off of that didn't work. It sucked and I tried starting over but nothing I came up with was as good as the original that I wrote. I'm so sorry but I'm working on the next one this week as well. You see, I'm not actually at home; I'm at my cabin. Anyway, thank you to all of you that reviewed or added me as an author alert, story alert, favorite story...it just makes me soo happy :D.

I hope this one's up to standard; I didn't really know where to go with this...or the next one. You see, I really want to get their third year done because I have so many ideas for the next two years, but I don't know how to speed it up. If you have any suggestions I would very much appreciate them :D

Okay, I'm done; I swear. Enjoy! :D


Thirteen: Happy Feelings

Hermione took a deep breath as she stepped outside in the cool November air. Luna Lovegood sat leaning against a tree over looking the Black Lake. Hermione started towards her, wanting to introduce herself properly.

"Hello Hermione."

Hermione's eyes widened when she heard Luna say her name and she wasn't even beside her. "Uh, hi Luna." Hermione whispered. She was blushing now and she stopped beside her.

"Would you like to join me?" Luna asked looking up at her.

Hermione's face turned redder as she looked down into her blue eyes but she smiled. "Sure." She whispered.

Luna smiled at her before turning back to the sketchbook she had open on her lap. She felt Hermione sit beside her, closer than what people would call friends, but Luna smiled brighter.

Hermione looked over Luna's shoulder and she gasped. "Wow Luna, you're amazing."

Luna turned her head and smiled. "Thank you. I find drawing calms me."

Hermione smiled back at her. "What are you drawing over the lake?"

"A horned nargle." Luna answered.

Hermione blinked. "What's a nargle? I've never heard of those."

Luna nodded. "Most people haven't. Most also think they're not real; but they are."

Hermione listened as Luna explained to her what a nargle was and what other 'imaginary' creatures were. Hermione didn't know whether or not to believe her, but as Luna went on, she found herself believing what she was saying. Hermione felt a calmness settle over her as she sat beside her blonde mate, smiling every time the blue eyes turned to her.

While Hermione was happy with her mate, Ginny was frustrated. The tug never became apparent during any class. It never made itself known when she was walking the halls either. It was only in the Great Hall that the sensation would come for a second then leave again the next. It was driving her up the wall.

Jaiyana would always rub up against her, hoping to relieve Ginny of some stress. It didn't work too well. Ginny didn't have anyone to talk to really. Draco and Harry were always together, Hermione was obsessed with Luna and Kyrene was with Remus.

Ginny was walking along a hall in the dungeons, trying to clear her head, while Hermione was outside with Luna and Harry and Draco were busy in the Slytherin Common Room. It wasn't working.

"Miss Stone."

She looked up to find Professor Snape standing before her. "Yes, Professor?"

"The founders wish to speak with you." It was clear to anyone that Snape didn't like playing the messenger.

Ginny nodded. "Thanks Professor."

Snape just nodded and walked away, rubbing behind his ear as he did so.

Ginny sighed as she headed towards the Great Hall. Snape still thought they were insane.

"Ah, Ginny; thank you for coming."

She looked up at Salazar and smiled. "Of course."

Helga chuckled. "You're such a sweet girl." She praised as the headmasters chair disappeared once again. The doors closed and the four founders leaned forward in their chairs.

"Now Ginny, we must tell you something." Rowena started and waited for the nod from Ginny. "We're going to need your help. Hogwarts is starting to repel Dumbledore, finally." She muttered.

"Hogwarts is going to need a new headmaster or headmistress." Godric continued. "We were hoping Tom would take over, but he's not back yet. Do you know when he is supposed to be coming back?"

Ginny nodded. "Yeah, Harry told us a couple weeks ago that Jared came to talk to him. Jared said that Tom has everything set up for next year."

Salazar stroked his chin. "That could work. Do you think Dumbledore will be gone before then?" He looked over at Rowena.

Rowena tapped the side of her face. "I don't know. The changes are coming pretty fast now. I'm sure soon the stairs will just stop moving all together. The Black Lake is moving again, but I believe Lycoris had something to do with that. I'm not sure; Helga do you know?"

Helga shook her head. "No, but if he doesn't go this year, it will be next year."

Ginny blinked in confusion. She had read about what happened to Sir Ricolar, but she hadn't realized that Dumbledore was in the same position.

"Ginny, how many portraits are gone along the hallways?" Godric asked.

Ginny looked over at him. "None; they're all still there."

Helga's eyes widened. "Really? Maybe he has longer then we thought."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"He's been sighted! He's been sighted!" Seamus Finnigan came running into the Great Hall and over to the Gryffindor table.

"Who?" Ron Weasley asked as Seamus slapped the Prophet onto the table.

"Sirius Black."

"Duff Town? That's not far from here." Dean Thomas muttered.

Jared stared at the picture of his half-brother's godfather. He knew Sirius was innocent and Pettigrew was guilty. Pettigrew hasn't been found though.

"Attention!" Dumbledore boomed over the chatter of the Great Hall. "Because of the appearance of Sirius Black, Hogwarts is now going to be the home of some Dementors. They will be situated at all the entrances and I have been assured that they will not go onto the grounds."

Whispers broke out around the hall at this announcement and Harry glared at the headmaster.

Rowena gasped. "Dementors! Around Hogwarts?!" She shrieked at the headmaster causing the hall to become silent. "Hogwarts is sacred ground! Dementors should not be here." She glared at him.

"Mark my words, Dumbledore. Your time will come sooner then you expect." Salazar stated, narrowing his eyes at him. "Dementors on Hogwarts will state your doom."

Laughter echoed around the Great Hall. Everybody looked around blindly trying to find the source.

"Thou have sealed thy fate." A giggle came again. "I wait for thy soul. Thou shall have a time with me."

Helga grinned. "Lycoris, you have my thanks."

She giggled. "Thou shall be given a gift. Thy soul of thy herder shall be payment for thou four gifts. Soon you will know."

Her presence disappeared and everybody stared at the headmaster in shock. Well, everybody but the four founders, Luna and Kyrene. They just smirked at him.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Let's continue with the feast." He stated and sat down, clearly in denial.

Luna giggled from her spot beside Hermione. "Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The grounds were covered in about three inches of snow; the Black Lake was completely frozen over even though the giant squid swam around underneath the ice. The carriages were trotting across the snow as the students heading home rode them down to the station. Excited chatter came from every carriage, all ages excited about the Christmas holidays.

Harry and Draco were currently locked at the lips, neither looking willing enough to separate. Ginny sat with her arms crossed and a pout on her lips beside Harry, staring out the carriage window. Hermione and Luna were in a deep conversation about something across from her and Pansy was deep in thought beside them. Blaise was staying at school for the holidays as his mother decided to travel during this time without him.

Two carriages in front sat the Weasley family; Percy, Ron and Jared sat on one side while Fred and George took up the other. Percy was scowling slightly, staring moodily out the window. Ron and Jared were in a heated debate over the Chudley Canons while Fred and George's heads were pressed together as they whispered hurriedly to each other. The two red heads would nod furiously every once in a while, followed by some mad giggling that left the other three to stare at them in confusion.

In the office of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Albus himself was pacing back and forth in front of his desk. The portraits lining the wall behind his desk watched him with smirks plastered on their faces.

He was muttering to himself, one hand stroking his beard while the other was behind his back. His royal purple and orange robes flew out behind him every time he turned around to begin his pacing over again.

"Have you accepted it yet?" Monica Jerrod's voice came drifting down from her portrait.

"Accepted what?" Dumbledore muttered back as he looped around once again.

Monica rolled her brown eyes. "Obviously not. You can't control people forever; you're going to have to get used to it soon."

Dumbledore snorted. "Control people; preposterous. I only do things for the Greater Good."

Isabella Rockwell woke up then and glared. "Stop spouting that nonsense or I'll find a way to return and I'll kill you myself."

Dumbledore just glared up at her before continuing to loop around in his pacing. His other hand went behind his back, clasping together with the other as he walked.

"Really, Dumbledore, you won't have much time left." Isaac Kellerman mused with a smirk on his face. "Best get used to it."

Dumbledore tried to tune them out as he continued his pacing, mumbling to himself along the way. There was a sighting; that was good. This year was going slowly, but it's falling into place now. As the saying goes; slowly but surely wins the race.

But now, how to get him here. There isn't anyway to bring Pettigrew out; maybe he'll just know. Dumbledore nodded to himself and sat down behind his desk. Yes; we'll hope he knows.

Over in Slytherin Castle, as they quite liked that one, Lucius and Sirius were in an argument. They were in Sirius' room, the door locked and warded. Lucius was glaring at Sirius while Sirius was smiling sheepishly at his boyfriend.

"Sirius." Lucius growled. His arms were crossed across his chest and his right foot was tapping every so often.

Sirius just shrugged.

Lucius stomped. "Dammit Sirius!" Lucius growled. "You can't do this! I don't care if Pettigrew was the reason that Dumbledore came in that day!"

Sirius sighed. "I just feel like I have to do this. I have to get revenge." He muttered.

"Why? Harry's safe! Lily's safe! Jared is as well! I don't see the reason as to why you have to go after the rat!" Lucius snarled out at his lover.

Sirius sighed again. "But Tom's not safe."

"It's not your fault! You've been to Azkaban once already! I will not loose you again!" Lucius snapped before falling down onto the bed. He clamped his mouth shut and pressed his refolded arms hard against his stomach.

Sirius studied his lover. "Lucius?"

Lucius just sneered before bringing his lips together again.

"Luc? What's wrong?" Sirius approached his lover before kneeling down before him.

"Nothing." Lucius stated before closing his eyes tightly to try to pass the wave of nausea that was still hitting him.

Sirius placed both of his hands on Lucius' knees and leaned closer. "Luc? Please!"

Lucius sighed and looked down at his crossed arms, causing his hair to cover his eyes. "I'm pregnant; again." He muttered the last part so quietly that Sirius almost missed it. Almost; being the key word.

Sirius blinked a few times before bringing his hands up and pushing it through Lucius' hair, bringing it away from his eyes. "Luc? What do you mean again?"

Lucius sighed. "Damn; you heard that." He muttered, not looking into Sirius eyes no matter how hard he tried.

"Luc?"

"I had Draco." He muttered.

Sirius blinked.

"You were always away for order meetings or missions and we never saw each other unless at something formal, you never knew." Lucius was mumbling his explanation. "Narcissa and I found glamours to change it around so she looked pregnant. Since father didn't approve, I couldn't very well tell you while he was around. I don't know how exactly it happened that we weren't together without others, but it was true.

"They all thought that it was on the honeymoon that it happened; which I guess is true. They thought we were away, but." He trailed off, smirking. "She knew and understood. She also knew that she didn't have much time left, which was heartbreaking." He smiled sadly at his lost friend. "I had him in June; it was hard, but worth it. It was just the two of us in the delivery room and it was Severus that delivered Draco for me. He has kept his promise. Two months later; you were in Azkaban. Draco doesn't even know." Lucius muttered.

Sirius' eyes were wide. "Luc." He trailed off, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "I missed all that?" He leaned his head forward on his husbands lap and a couple tears fell from his eyes.

Lucius smiled sadly as he ran a hand through Sirius' hair.

Sirius snapped his head up, a determined expression on his face. "I won't leave you again." He stated. "I'm going to stay with you; make sure you and the baby are all right. I won't leave you alone this time, Luc."

Lucius smiled at him. "I know." He stated.

Sirius sighed and rested his head against Lucius' knee again. "I can't believe I missed it all. I can't believe what an idiot I am."

Lucius smiled. "You'll be here this time, and that'll be good enough."

Sirius nodded furiously.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Father?"

James Potter looked up from the morning Prophet as his son came into the sitting room of Potter Manor. "Yes son?"

"Do you miss mom?"

James blinked before placing the paper on his lap. "What brings this on, son?"

"I miss her." Jared whispered, looking down at his feet.

James sighed. "Son, I'll always be with you; isn't that enough?"

Jared glared down at the floor. "I just miss her presence." He stated. "But I guess." He sighed.

James sighed too. "I'm sorry son; I wish I could give you everything."

Jared just nodded before walking out of the room and walking up to his bedroom. His eyes were narrowed the whole way and his hands were clenched into fists. He doesn't even care.

"No; he never has."

Jared just sighed, used to the voice that appeared whenever he walked into his bedroom. "Why?" He muttered, defeated, before falling on his bed.

Tom's voice sighed. "I don't know. He was always a glory hound in school; he was spoiled. You, however, were lucky. You turned out to be nothing like your father; for which I am glad." He sighed again. "Lily never liked him; hated him even. I believe it was because of Lily that you're so different. Her influence on you, however small, made that much of a difference."

Jared smiled up at the ceiling at the mention of his mother. "Will I ever see her again?"

"I'll kidnap you next year; we all can leave England, if you wish. Start over." Tom said, the smirk clear in his words.

Jared laughed quietly. "No; I'd kind of like my father out of the way first." He paused, chewing his bottom lip. "Does that make me a horrible person?"

"No. I understand. He would stop at nothing to have you back, and sometimes, and escape is needed." Tom's voice faded slightly at the end as he trailed off.

Jared nodded. "An escape is needed." He mumbled, bringing his hands up behind his head.

"Can you hold out?"

Jared nodded. "Yeah; I can hold out. You won't make it long, though, will you?"

"I'll try not to." His voice was sincere as he smiled over at Jared.

Jared smiled. "That's enough."