Hey guys I'm back :D sorry about the delay, my inspiration was having a pity party. Seems to have gotten over it now though which means good things for you guys, new chapters!

So I am currently writing the next few chapters which are quite big, lots of stuff happening. This is mostly a filler chapter, to go into what's been happening since the last when they arrived back at Hogwarts. It does have quite a bit of info that won't be relevant until much further into the story, hence the reason I'm struggling to write future chapters. like I have said in the past this story has been planned out since I started, however trying to remember main plot points (and small) and trying to tie them all in is quite hard. I don't want to be leaving any plot holes.

When I first started writing this story I had beliefs that this story would be at maximum 15 chapters, after all how much could I actually change the main storyline, I was only making an AU kinda behind the scenes. Never did I imagine that I would be here at chapter 19 and only in Harry's third year. The support from you guys has been great in helping me keep writing this story and as always I love to hear what you are thinking of this story. So for the rest of third year I have planned about 3-4 chapters. Then it's fourth year which I am glad to say we will finally be seeing some Hinny. I've kinda weaved in some spoilers and confusion over emotions for Harry which he will realise in his next year. So enjoy and if I don't update before have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Disclaimer - I do in no way own Harry Potter or its characters. Although I did put it on my wish list for Santa, so fingers crossed. (eyes scrunched - I Believe I believe I believe)

Building up the courage

The first two months back at Hogwarts had passed rather quickly. What with Snape breathing down their necks in potions, McGonagall giving them piles of homework and the early morning quidditch practises, Harry hadn't had any chance to talk to the new DADA teacher. Professor Lupin had very quickly become everyone's favourite teacher. After his first lesson of how to deal with Boggarts the classes only got better. For the first time in three years. Harry was actually enjoying DADA. He had already read his DADA books up to seventh year and understood the theory side of things. Having an actual decent teacher meant that he could perfect the practical side of the lessons as well. With DADA he found he wanted to be the best, to make the Professor proud of him, not to mention that he had made a promise to himself and his parents, that he try his best to learn as much as he could. Of course it helped that Hermione was so busy with her countless lessons that she had yet to notice that he was currently top of the class, something he did not have the heart to tell her. Of course he still fluked out on the rest of his classes, he didn't want Hermione becoming too suspicious. After all that was why he had taken divination. He didn't want Ron to be alone in the lesson and so signed up for it, but only after talking through his other options with Professor McGonagall. He wanted to know if he could still take the OWLS for subjects that he hadn't actually taken, but to do self-study. His head of house was quite pleased with his questioning and had told him that it was perfectly acceptable. Once she had confirmed this he had told her he wanted to do Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. After all Arithmancy was just maths, and runes looked like it would be interesting to learn, not to mention put in use. He had found himself perusing through his Arithmancy books rather easily, it started off with fairly simple mathematics. Ancient runes however was a different matter. He found he enjoyed learning about it, however there were so many different things to learn about them, the way in which different combinations could be used, not to mention some runes that looked similar to each other meant two very different things, making it sometimes hard to get the translation correct. Then there was the time he was spending with Ginny and the twins. Ron and Hermione's constant bickering had made them all stay well clear of them both. During this time the four of them would come up with some wicked pranks to play on unsuspecting students and professors. Another thing that was confusing Harry was the visits he got from Fawkes. Sometimes when he awoke from nightmares from that night, Fawkes would be there to give him comfort, singing his song so that Harry could fall back asleep into sweet dreams. Something had formed between them since the time in the chamber. An unbreakable bond that found both boy and bird looking forward to the time they spent together. So with that and all the work he had been doing, he had totally forgot that the first Hogsmead trip was coming up.

That was all everyone was talking about at the moment, and Harry really wished they'd all just shut up. He had tried so hard to get McGonagall to sign his permission form, but she had refused, stating that it wouldn't be correct for her to sign it as she wasn't his legal guardian. Part of him was upset that he couldn't go but the other part of him was already planning how to make well use of his free time. Ever since Malfoy had let slip that Black was 'after him' Ron and Hermione had taken to keeping him within their sights, making it harder to slip away from them with Ginny and the twins. Though he usually just slipped away when they got into one of their arguments, which happened more often than not. After saying goodbye to his two friends he and Ginny walked slowly back inside the castle. He paused for a minute, finally deciding how best to spend his time. He looked at Ginny, who understood exactly what he was thinking.

"You're finally going to talk to him?" she asked. He nodded. Since first confiding in her about Sirius, he had found himself revealing even more than he had ever meant to, including his worry about talking to Professor Lupin. He wanted to be able to talk to the man, to let him know how much he knew, that he remembered him. To ask him where he had been all these years. Ginny had supported him so much, helping him to come to terms with his fears. He was afraid that Lupin may blame him for the death of the man's closest friends. Ginny had quickly shut down those fears, showing her true Weasley heritage in that moment. He was glad to have her friendship. He had even very recently decided that he was going to let the twins in on some of his secrets, not straight way but he felt like they had earnt the truth. He was feeling rather guilty about leaving Ron and Hermione out of the loop, but he felt as if they had pulled away from him, even though they were still watching him like a hawk. Hermione was becoming a nervous wreck, always hiding in the corner of the common room, piles of books surrounding her, and Ron, he was sniping at Hermione a lot, he blamed Crookshanks for Scabbers disappearance, therefore in his eyes she was to blame. He was hanging around with Seamus and Dean more often than not.

"I think that now would be the best time, gives me plenty of time to say what I need to say." Ginny nodded. He looked at her apologetically. "I know we planned to try and get the rest of our homework done, but…"

"I understand Harry, apart from Padfoot he's the only remaining part of your family left. You need this, you both need this. Believe me, you'll feel loads better after you've talked to him. Homework can be done anytime, this is important. Don't worry about me, I'll hang around with Colin and Demelza for a bit."
He gave her a small hug before letting go and giving her a brief smile. She returned the smile and then turned to walk in the direction of the Gryffindor common room, leaving Harry to walk to the DADA Professor's office.
As he walked there his thoughts turned to the well-being of his godfather. Since parting at the Leaky Cauldron he'd had no word from him, he'd been reading the newspapers and there had been sightings of him, each one saying that he was coming closer to Hogwarts. It helped to ease Harry's worry, but not the concerns of Sirius being seen. What was he thinking being around in his human form, it was bound to attract attention? He finally found himself outside Lupin's office. He took in a deep breath before knocking.
This was sure to be an interesting conversation.