Note: I do not own 'Harry Potter' but do own my own characters...if anything doesn't seem to jive with the books, it's not meant to...Hope you enjoy it...

And it worked out that there was at least one of them in each of Pyx's classes. She stayed with the core classes (Transfiguration, Charms, DADA, Potions) and as extra classes took Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology.

Her lessons with Snape and McGonagall were going well. She was still having a hard time learning to control her magic. Snape would say something to piss her off and she would hold it in for a few seconds before she blew. During these lessons, she became quite proficient at the Reparo charm.

She corresponded with Sirius, using a code they had set up during the summer. He voiced his opinion about Snape all too clearly and vowed to come out of hiding if he hurt her. Pyx wanted him to more because of Dolores Umbridge and her detentions but didn't want to risk him getting caught. And because of her lessons during the week, she had to do the detentions on the weekend, to which she had to miss the 1st Gryffindor Quidditch game.

There was talk around the common room about putting together a group to actually learn the defensive spells they were being taught in DADA. Hermione was the one to suggest the idea since Umbridge wasn't teaching them anything. Those interested met and agreed to meet weekly. It was Pyx would suggested Saturdays so she could attend. Their little group had begun growing to nearly 25 students and took on the name of Dumbledore's Army.

Neville and Pyx were sitting in the common room working on a Herbology essay when Harry stalked through after an Umbridge detention. Pyx could see the blood seeping through the make-shift bandage on his hand. She instinctively rubbed her own healing hand.

"He hasn't been sleeping well. I hear him toss and turn all night. He calls out about Cedric or I'll hear him hiss in Parseltongue."

Pyx turned to her friend and could see the sadness in his brown eyes. She hadn't told anyone but she thought Neville was cute and had begun crushing on him. He caught her looking and smiled.

"He just needs to rest. It's almost Christmas break and I'm sure he'll be his old self again. Nev, when are you gonna start wearing your hair the way I suggested? Spike the front just a little bit and wear that shirt I got for you from Hogsmeade and it'll be a whole new Neville Longbottom."

A slight tinge of blush came to his cheeks. She nudged his shoulder with hers and turned back to the essay. Neville watched her from the corner of his eye. She always bites her lip when she's deep in thought and as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, the light hit her eyes and they sparkled. He was falling for her. Falling hard.

The next morning, Harry was short with everyone. They tried to talk to him and he got angry and yelled. Pyx reached over to rub his arm, like she normally did when he was upset. He pulled away and moved down the table from them.

"I guess he wants to be alone."

The morning mail arrived and Pyx looked up for Thanatos. She was expecting a reply from Sirius about their holiday plans. She didn't see her falcon but did spy an owl approaching her. She took the letter, stroked its feathers and gave it a little piece of toast. She had never received mail other than letters from Sirius and since this wasn't delivered by her bird, it clearly wasn't from him. Before she could open it, another owl dropped a letter on the table in front of her.

"It's got the Ministry's seal on it. I wonder what it is," Neville said.

Because it was from the Ministry of Magic, Pyx opened it first.

Ms. Pyxis Malfoy-Black,

Upon hearing of your mother's death and that your father is deceased as well, a hearing of guardianship will take place December 12, 1995 at 10 o'clock in Courtroom A.

It is our understanding that only two uncles are what remains of your family: Mr. Sirius Black and Mr. Lucius Malfoy. A similar letter will be owled to them to notify them of the hearing.

Abigail Pepper

Director of Child Services

Pyx carefully laid down the letter and picked up the other letter. She gently opened it and read it. It was from Lucius welcoming her to the family. The last line before he signed it read, 'You didn't think they would let you live with an escaped murderer, did you? How Muggle of you if you had.'

The glow radiated from her entire body, much like the first time she lost control. Those around her moved and when she looked up, her friends saw that her eyes had gotten darker.

"Pyx, calm down. What is it?" Neville asked.

Hermione, Ron, and Ginny tried to calm her too. When Snape and Dumbledore noticed, they quickly approached her. As they reached her though, Draco walked into the Great Hall. Her eyes landed on him and the burst of energy lit up the entire room. Everyone around her was thrown back. Still glowing, she grabbed the letters and marched over to a frozen Draco.

"Tell your father that I'd rather die than live with you."

The air around her cracked and popped as her magic lifted Draco and flung him onto the Slytherin table. The closed doors of the Great Hall opened before her and she left; they slammed shut behind her. Snape had gotten up and approached his student.

"Mr. Malfoy, explain why Ms. Malfoy-Black was angry."

"Father thought it fit to gain guardianship. The Ministry would never give it to her other uncle," he groaned as he sat up.

Because of the silence, everyone had heard what Draco had said. Neville looked to the others before grabbing his stuff and Pyx's. He ran out after her, hoping she didn't do anything drastic. He knew she'd go to the Room of Requirement to let off some steam so that's where he headed first.

Pyx was in the Room of Requirement, blasting wooden dummies that looked like Lucius Malfoy. She was swearing like a sailor, telling the dummies exactly what was on her mind. Neville stopped to watch his friend and when she paused for a second, he went to her.

"It's going to be alright, Pyx. Professor Dumbledore will stop it."

"There's nothing he can do. Uncle Sirius can't show up at the hearing because he's an escaped convict and they'd throw him straight into jail. That leaves Lucius Malfoy as my only other relative. Shouldn't it matter that I'll be 17 soon? Isn't that when wizards and witches come of age?"

"Yes," Neville replied, not liking the gleam in her eyes.

"They can't force me to live with Malfoy if they can't find me. Nev, I need you to find Harry and ask for his map. If you tell him why I need it, I'm sure he'll let you borrow it."

"Pyx, I don't like the sound of this. What if you get caught?"

"You have to remember who my uncle is. Sirius Black was a Marauder and if he can sneak around the school, so can I," she said, walking closer to her best friend. "I'll be OK, Nev. I'll stay with my uncle until my birthday."

"But that's in March. I can't go that long without you here. You're my best friend. I haven't been this happy since it turned out I wasn't a squib."

"I'll write you. We'll use that code I showed you. Now please go find Harry and ask for the map."

Neville did as she asked and convinced Harry to let him borrow it. He wasn't thrilled that Pyx was leaving but he understood that it kept her away from the Malfoys. Neville went back to the Room of Requirement at lunch since he couldn't miss class or the professors would know something was up. Pyx had fallen asleep on a bunch of cushions and he watched her sleep for a few minutes before waking her.

"I solemnly swear I'm up to no good," she said, tapping it with her wand.

Most of the dots were centered in the Great Hall with a few people straggling behind. The coast was clear to the passageway to get into Honeydukes.

"How are you going to get to where your uncle is?" he asked.

"I was thinking of taking the Knight Bus to London and then I'll get there by Muggle cab. I hope the few Galleons I have in my pocket will be enough."

"Hermione packed a few things for you. She said she'll bring the rest to you during the holidays."

Pyx checked out what her friend packed for her and saw her money pouch. It was still nearly full from the summer. She gave Neville a smile and looked at the map again.

"Let's go."

With the help of the map, they got to the entrance of the passageway. Pyx wiped the map clean and gave it back to Neville.

"Thanks, Nev. I'll send you a letter once I'm settled. Don't give me that look. It'll be OK."

"I just don't want to see you hurt."

"You know I'd take down anyone who tried. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too."

Pyx hugged Neville but before she slipped away, she kissed him hard and deep.

"Just think of that while I'm away. I'll want to continue that when I get back."

Pyx left as Neville started to blush. He went to the Great Hall and sat at the table. He slipped Harry the map and the boy almost questioned the blush.

"Did she get off OK?" Ron asked.

"Yeah. Said she'll write."

The Gryffindor made her way down the passageway and slipped up through the cellar into the store. She bought some candy to eat on the bus before she made her way to the edge of town. Pyx pulled her wand and waved it. It took almost half a minute for it to show up.

"Welcome to the Knight Bus, transportation for the stranded witch or wizard. I'm Stan Shunpike, your conductor. Where are you headed?"

"The Leaky Cauldron."

Pyx paid the fee and took a seat in one of the chairs. The bus sped off and the seats shifted.

"Bloody hell. Can't you stick these chairs to the floor?" she cried.

Stan ignored her and she tried to look at the scenery but it was going by too fast. They had to stop for pedestrians a couple of times before it stopped at the pub. Pyx got up, staggered a bit before getting off the Knight Bus. She was happy to have her feet solidly on the ground again.

She pulled off her robes and took off the tie she was wearing. Pyx stuffed them into her bag and walked into London more. It didn't take her long to hail a cab.

"Is 10 pounds enough to get to Grimmauld Place?" she asked counting her Muggle money.

"Probably not."

"Kings Cross?"

"That should do it. Why is a girl your age out at this time and not at school?"

"My mum called the school and said my Gran was ill and I needed to get home quick," she lied.

The driver accepted her answer and drove off. A few minutes later, they pulled up to Kings Cross. The fare was 8 pounds so she gave him the 10 pound note and got out. She walked the dozen or so blocks to Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Luckily no one was outside so she could easily go in without attracting attention.

"Uncle Sirius?" she called.

"Where have you been?" Mrs. Weasley shouted as she came from the kitchen.

"Making my way here. I won't go back until after my birthday."

"What does your birthday have to do with anything?" she asked.

"Lucius Malfoy is trying to get guardianship over me. Where's Uncle Sirius? I need to talk to him."

"He's upstairs with Buckbeak."

Pyx climbed the stairs and went into Buckbeak's room. She couldn't see Sirius but still bowed to the hippogriff. It bowed back.

"Uncle Sirius, are you in here? I need to talk to you."

"Pyx? It's not the holidays yet, is it?"

"No. I don't suppose you have room for another runaway here? You probably can't get mail here because of the Fidelius charm."

"No, why? What happened? You didn't curse anyone did you? Unless it was a Slytherin then that's alright."

"It seems there's a hearing about my guardianship and it's between you and Malfoy. He knows that you won't be able to show up without getting arrested so it's a guarantee for him to get me. I wasn't going to let that happen so I skipped out on Hogwarts. Everyone knows I'm pissed off so it would be safe to think I left."

"Pyx, what did you do?" he said, moving closer to look at his niece.

"Threw Malfoy onto a table. I was too angry to control my magic. All that work with Snape and it didn't do squat. Anyways, I'm staying here until my birthday. I need to write Nev so I'll see you later."

Pyx left Sirius and headed to her room. She mentally called out to Thanatos and started in on the letter to Neville. Her falcon appeared and asked why she wasn't at school. She filled him in on what happened and gave the letter to him once it was finished.

Don't go to the Great Hall to give it to him. Go to the window of his dormitory. Any of the boys will let you in but don't give it to anyone except Nev.

Of course, Pyx.

The falcon did not like that his owner was having a hard time with her relatives. As he flew out of Grimmauld Place, an impossible smirk touched his beak.