A.N.: I know, it's late again. Our experimental research is almost finished, so please stick with me for the remaining chapters.

And thank you to everyone who reviewed, your kind words fuels me to keep writing this story!

And before you start reading this chapter, I'll say it now.

I'm sorry, I'm really really sorry.

Chapter 17: Catching Up

Disclaimer: No, just no.

Pyxis

As Hermione explained to Ron what happened, in whispers of course, I asked Madam Pomfrey if I could have Sugar Quills instead of chocolate. Draco laughed and Madam Pomfrey thought of it. She then said that she'll be back and I cheered on the inside.

"Why do you like Sugar Quills so much?" Draco asked, still laughing.

"They're good! Haven't you tried them?" He shook his head. I gasped then turned to Harry.

"He hasn't tried the Sugar Quills yet." Harry raised an eyebrow at Draco.

"For real?"

"I really haven't. What's the big deal?"

"As I said before, they're really good. I can't believe it! You've had access to Sugar Quills since you were a child and you haven't tried them? We'll have to do something about that."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione laughed as Madam Pomfrey arrived with a box of Sugar Quills. I profusely thanked the kind nurse and she told me not to eat all of it at once or I'll have trouble sleeping. She went back to her office, leaving the four of us.

I passed the box to the trio first before getting one and passing the box to Draco.

"Here." Draco rolled his eyes, but still got one.

"That's my late birthday present to you." I said quietly. He looked at me, confused.

"How did you know when my birthday is?"

"Blaise." I answered. "We were not on speaking terms that day so I didn't get to greet you."

"You could've given me an anonymous gift." He smirked.

"You would've known it was me."

"And why is that?"

"I give the most unique gifts. Like that Sugar Quill. Go on, it's time for you to be enlightened about the greatness of Sugar Quills."

"That's a bit dramatic." Draco said, causing all of us to laugh.

"Just go and have a bite." He did just that. I looked at him expectantly, but he did not say anything.

"Hey, how was it?" I finally asked.

"It's good."

"Just good?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him. He sighed.

"Okay, you're right. It's actually very good." I laughed because of my victory and offered him the box again.

When the clock chimed signalling another hour had passed, the box of almost finished Sugar Quills was taken by Madam Pomfrey and she advised Draco and I to go to sleep. The trio fell asleep about 20 minutes ago. She closed the curtains separating our beds and left.

As usual, I can't sleep. But that's what Draco is there for.

I opened the curtain separating us, enough so we could talk. He looked like he couldn't sleep too.

"Hey." He laid on his left side so he could talk to me properly.

And we talked. I explained what happened when we went back via Time Turner, and he explained why he ignored me. It was Pansy's fault all along. After we cleared everything up, we just talked about random things. I didn't know who fell asleep first. It was probably me, because the last thing I remember is staring at his beautiful grey eyes.

When we left the hospital wing at noon the next day, the castle was almost deserted. Blaise, as if on cue, came running at us just as we were leaving. He asked if we're up to visiting Hogsmeade with him. Draco and I agreed, but Harry, Ron and Hermione said that they'll pass this time. So the three of us agreed to meet at the entrance hall after we change and go there together. After 15 minutes, we're on our way to the village.

"You know, this is the only time that the three of us are going together." Blaise commented.

"Well, this is only my second time going to the village, and you know how my first one ended." I replied, fixing my dress. It's like the floral dress I wore to Diagon Alley, but the sleeves only reached my elbows and its colour green.

"And this is the only time I saw you wear a dress again. My mother would be so proud." Draco said with a teasing smirk,

"Well surprisingly, I don't hate dresses as much as before." I shrugged before asking, "What are we going to do in Hogsmeade?"

"Well, you two are going to tell me about your adventure last night." Blaise was really upset when he found out that he didn't get to join in our 'adventure' that required us to stay at the Hospital wing for the night.

"Three Broomsticks?" And that's where we recounted our eventful night over Butterbeer.

"You got slapped thrice?" Blaise asked Draco, laughing really hard.

"Of all the things we told you, that's what you're asking?" In my defence, I left out that part. Draco was the one who added that bit.

"Well, it's not everyday you get slapped." Blaise said, still laughing.

"Yes, and I deserved that for not telling her the truth." The sincerity in his voice created a short silence, which was broken by Blaise, as usual.

"So, your dad…" I told him to keep his voice down, in fear of anyone overhearing.

"How does it feel knowing him?" He asked in a much softer voice.

"It's great, Blaise. I feel…complete, I suppose. I mean, after 13 years I finally found him."

"What's he like?"

"Funny." Draco and I answered at the same time. I sighed.

"I miss him already. Is that possible? I was only with him for like an hour or two."

"He's family, Butterfly. It's valid." Blaise answered in a serious tone.

"Thank you, Blaise." I drank the last of my Butterbeer. "Are you two not done yet? I really want to buy more Sugar Quills."

Blaise rolled his eyes while I heard Draco mutter, "You and your sweets." before finishing his Butterbeer. We paid for our drinks then went straight to Honeydukes.

I almost squealed in delight when I saw the shelves full of sweets, but even though I didn't, my joy must have shown on my face because the two laughed.

I took two boxes of Sugar Quills and one of Licorice Wands and toffee, a handful of Chocolate Frogs and Exploding Bonbons, and grabbed three random packs of chocolate I haven't tasted yet.

"You have one hell of a sweet tooth." I almost dropped the box of toffee.

"You startled me, Draco."

"Why do you need that many sweets, anyway?"

"Like you observed, I have 'one hell of a sweet tooth'. He helped me carry the sweets to the counter. "And a bit of a treat for myself for a job well done this year." I paid and we met with Blaise whose already munching on a Licorice Wand outside the store.

"Final- Whoa! Refilling your stash, huh?" Blaise commented after seeing the bag of sweets I'm holding.

"Well, you never know when you're going to need something sweet."

After that, we went back to the castle. We parted ways and I was on my way to the Gryffindor tower when I came across Professor Lupin.

"There you are, Pyxis. I've been looking for you." I noticed the suitcase he's holding.

Oh, Merlin! I forgot he's leaving today.

"Is something wrong, Professor? Except for you leaving, of course." He shook his head, smiling a bit.

"You know that I have to leave." I nodded sadly. "Come and walk with me, Pyxis."

We walked in comfortable silence until we're outside the castle.

"Padfoot sent me a patronus this morning." He said.

"You've talked? Where is he now? Is he alright?"

"Ah, questions, always in threes." Professor said, laughing a bit. "He's just asked me to write a letter for you. He didn't say where he is, of course, but he said he'll keep us posted."

"But what's with the hold up, then? Why not just give the letter?"

"I've known for awhile that you were their daughter, Pyxis." He said, completely ignoring my question. I decided to let it go for now.

"How?"

"I was very surprised the first time I saw you on the train. You look a lot like your mother, except for the hair." I smiled.

"Second is your friendship with Mr. Malfoy and Zabini." I nodded.

"Then you like playing pranks."

"Like Dad." We laughed.

"Lastly, your unbelievably good skills in Quidditch, Potions, and your Patronus. Both your parents are great Quidditch players, and Amy managed to conjure a patronus when we were in 4th year."

"Why didn't you drop a clue or something?"

"I know that you would rather hear it straight from Sirius and he would like to be the one who tell it to you."

"Thank you." Silence fell between us once again. I have a very bad feeling about where this conversation is going. So for a change, I decided to break it.

"Professor, I really think you're supposed to tell me something very important." He stopped walking.

"Is it bad?" I braced myself for his answer. It took him a minute before he answered,

"It's for your safety." And I knew, I knew that I'm going back.

"Can I have the letter now?" He fished the letter from his suit pocket and gave it to me. I was still staring at the envelope when he said that he needed to leave. I thanked him, saying that I'll be staying here for a while.

"I'll be seeing you again, Pyxis." He smiled.

"Professor?"

"Yes?"

"Please tell Padfoot that I understand completely and that I love him." For a moment, there was a bit of hope when he said he'll see me again. That I was only overthinking things and the letter doesn't say that I have to leave this world. But the look of surprise that crossed his face crushed that hope. Tears started to form in my eyes.

"I would ask you to hug him for me, but that would be awkward." I joked. Professor just laughed.

"Your mother had asked a lot of people to do that, including James and I. Especially when she's busy doing something and Padfoot said something clever." With that, he left me alone to my thoughts.

I don't want to read the letter around anyone, so I decided to go my favourite place when I want to think.

I took my time opening the envelope and taking out the letter.

My Dear Pyxis,

I'm very sorry that you have to know everything through letter. But this is the most reliable and fast way to deliver this message for you.

I wrote as soon as I could because you are in danger. I have now pieced together what you said, about us leaving you at the wrong year. We made a mistake. A horrible mistake in making the portal. You didn't only travel to a different dimension, but also a different time. And because you were only a year old when that happened, you became part of that world. Growing up in a different time stream, then coming back to your actual one could cause sickness and, if you're here long enough, death. Or in your case turn back to a three year old girl, because you became part of the time stream you came from.

I know that there has to be a way to fix your situation without you leaving. But I can't do it alone. I need your mother for that. And this is another topic that you should not know through letter, so I apologise again. The truth is I lost her. She's alive, don't panic. Before I was brought to Azkaban, she asked me to run away with her, to follow you and escape the authorities. So that's what we did, making the potions and portal on the way. But they found us sooner than expected. Two days wasn't enough to finish everything. I was so desperate to save Amelie. Then I saw this vial that contains a portal making potion, just enough for one person. I don't even know where that leads. But instead of the two of us going to Azkaban, I decided that it's better if one of us escaped. So I opened the portal and pushed her in.

So this is what we would do. I would make a potion to bring you back to your, temporary, time stream. As I said earlier, you can't stay here any longer or you'll be a little girl permanently. While you're there, I will find your mother and both of us will bring you back. I could finish the potion and the portal in three days.

I'm really sorry that I had to send you away again. It's hard for me too, but I must keep you safe. I hope that you understand, my dearest daughter. I love you.

Padfoot

I wiped the tears that fell after I finished reading the letter. I placed the letter back inside the envelope and put it inside my bag of sweets.

'This is it.' I thought to myself. 'Reality is catching up to me.'

"Isis!" I looked up and saw Hermione and Ron running towards me. I put away the thoughts of leaving and put on a smile to my face.

"Hey! Where's Harry?" I patted the space next to me for them to sit.

"He went to see Professor Lupin before he goes. He's leaving. Have you heard?"

I could only nod.

Ron and Hermione were full of questions about Sirius and I did my best to answer everything without breaking down. The Sugar Quills were a huge help in that matter. I almost mentioned my departure, but decided against it. I should tell Draco and Blaise first.

After I filled the two of them on the events they missed last night, I was feeling a bit better. But that quickly disappeared after they left to find Harry. I've thought of going back to our dorm but I saw Draco and Blaise approaching.

"Hey, Butterfly! We were hoping to find you here." Blaise sat on my left side while Draco took my right.

"You haven't gone back to your dorm yet?" Blaise opened my bag of sweets and took a Licorice Wand. I wordlessly offered the bag to Draco, who took a Sugar Quill. I took one too and the three of us just stayed there, eating.

How do I tell them that I'm leaving? They surely won't appreciate it if I just disappear, right? And I would definitely get an earful when I return. I have to tell it eventually.

"What's wrong?" I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to Draco and saw his grey eyes filled with worry.

Ah, to hell with this. I'm doing this now. I took each of their hands and held it in mine.

"I'm leaving." Their silence was so deafening that I almost cried. Thankfully, Draco spoke up.

"Where and when are you going?"

"I'm going back to my world. I have three days left." I answered, only looking at our intertwined hands.

"But that's just for a vacation, right?" Blaise asked quietly, his question sounding more like an assurance to himself.

I tried to laugh, but the tears that have been threatening to fall since my talk with Professor Lupin chose to fall instead.

"I don't know exactly when." I let go of their hands and wiped the tears that won't stop falling. "It could take months, even years."

"But you will return, right?"

"Yes, but I don't know-" Draco took my right hand and held it firmly in his.

"Then we'll be waiting." I leaned my head on his shoulder and Blaise followed my example, leaning on mine.

"And if you don't come back before we finish school, Draco and I would personally drag you back here."

I actually laughed this time. Leaving doesn't sound so bad right now. Especially when you have family to go back to.

A.N.: Again, I'm really, really sorry. I have a plan, my dear readers.

Tell me what you think, please. :D