Chapter 3:

Giving Thanks

"Draco you sarcastic prick," Hart's voice was heard only by the Golden Trio, Ginny, Malfoy and Zabini.

"Mind your own business Mudblood lover," Malfoy snapped.

"You will do well to watch your tongue around me, Draco," Hart snarled.

"Do you have a problem with that word," Malfoy taunted.

"Coming from your iced lips, I do," Hart's voice was rising.

"Going to do something about it, traitor?"

Before anyone could blink Hart had her wand and Malfoy was on the ground curling around in pain. A dark look passed over Hart's face as she scowled at Malfoy's wiggling body.

"Dark magic," Hermione whispered.

"It couldn't be an unforgiveable could it," Ron asked just as quietly.

"Kalya that's enough," Zabini said moving forward.

Tears suddenly started to roll down her cheeks, "if only you were smart enough to know Draco that you never bring up your best friends past in such a hateful manor."

Zabini moved forward and engulfed Hart in a hug, pulling her to his chest. Her sobs could be heard as she clenched hard to the back on his shirt. Malfoy began to stand, using the wall for support, the world still spinning around him.

"Bloody hell, Draco. Why would you go and say something like that to Kalya, she has done nothing but be kind to you and you repay her by bad mouthing people she loves," Zabini hissed.

"Never mind that. What in Merlin's name did she use on me," Malfoy nearly yelled.

"It wasn't an unforgivable if that's what you're thinking. It's a spell like it, a softer version, one that isn't against the law," Hart peered over Zabini's shoulder, tears still rolling down her face.

His eyes narrowed, "you used black magic on me?"

"You dare to take my trust and turn it back on me," Hart snarled.

His mouth opened momentarily before he shut it and moved off.

"Neither of you should have done what you did. But, I'm not angry with you," Zabini held her tightly, "I'm angry at him for bringing up such painful memories you hadn't wanted to share with us in the first place and making fun of you for it."

"Don't let go," Hart cried out as she sobbed harder into Zabini's chest.

"I never will," his voice was soft for a moment before turning hard, "I hope you four can keep your mouth shut about everything that just happened here."

The Gryffindors stood frozen before they all nodded. Even if they told the teachers it would just create more harm than good. After he was sure they wouldn't say anything, he picked up Hart and carried her off.

"What the hell just happened here," Ron cried out when the Slytherins were out of ear shot.

"I'm not sure Ron, but I'm not sure we should get involved either," Hermione stated.

Summer was fast approaching and Ginny hadn't had a time to talk to Hart since they had last spoke before she saw her fight with Malfoy. It had seemed though, that nothing would damper their spirits as Malfoy and Hart were already on friendly terms again.

It would seem that Malfoy was holding a grudge against the Trio and her for watching him suffer under an unnamed spell that Hart had used on him. That was why she was now struggling in his arms standing in Umbridge's office.

They had just busted a whole in the wall and found their meeting place because a student had ratted them out. Malfoy wasn't being to forgiving and his hands were hurting Ginny's wrist. Along with herself, Neville, Luna, Harry, Ron and Hermione were captured in the room.

Ginny watched in horror as Harry, Ron and Hermione told Umbridge about something in the forest and lead her out there. Ginny didn't know what to do, and soon found herself passed to Crabbe, who was also holding Luna. Malfoy suddenly left the room.

After a couple minutes the door opened and in walked Hart. Ginny watched her two friends tense even though she knew Hart wouldn't hurt them.

"Hey boys, I can take it from here. You're needed to help round up the others, Draco's orders," Hart's voice was soft.

The boys looked at each other before nodded and leaving the room. No one moved. Hart stood by the door, blocking their way out and two of the three others stood frozen.

"I bought you some time. You should be able to make it out of here and onto the grounds before Draco notices that Crabbe and Goyle aren't in here," Hart smiled sadly, "I'm really sorry that this happened. But, it would be best if you got to your friends. I'll lead you out of here."

Ginny moved forward quickly following behind Hart for a few steps before she realized that the other's weren't following, "come on guys we can trust her. I promise."

The other two exchanged a look but followed not wanting to be left behind. She weaved through the halls showing them a safe way to the main hall. They quickly got out of the school and she led them down to where the Golden Trio was standing.

Three wands were pointed at her face and her hands flew up. She stopped moving and didn't make an attempt to grab her wand.

"Put your wands down, she just helped us get out of there," Ginny snapped.

Reluctantly they put down their wands.

"Don't worry, but you don't have much time, you need to leave now if you're going to make it," Hart rushed them.

"What about you," Luna asked.

"I can come, or stay, either way; if you're going to make it out of here you need to leave."

Hart went with them. It was a jumbled mess when the Death Eaters appeared and the group noticed Hart gone missing. After destroying all the orbs that hold the future, they fled not looking where they were going. After many close calls and running into Death Eaters the group finally reunited and found themselves in a room with an odd veil in the center.

A tall thin figure stood with a smile on their face, their long thin left hand wrapped under Hart's chin. Their left hand pushing the tip of their wand into the crease of her neck and chin, had the wand been sharp blood would have been drawn.

"Hand over the orb, Potter, or she will die," the harsh voice of Lucius Malfoy filled the room.

"She is just a Slytherin," Harry shrugged to everyone's shock.

"I wondered why she was in green. Hmm, so you would allow this girl to die simply to hold onto that silly orb," Malfoy taunted.

"It obviously isn't silly if you're trying to get your hands on it," Harry smirked.

Just as Malfoy was about to retort the room filled with Death Eaters and Aurors alike. Panic started as everyone began dueling. Neville nervously fumbled and dropped the orb. The Death Eaters in rage began fighting harder. Ginny, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Luna watched in pain as Bellatrix Lestrange started yelling the worst unforgiveable curse at Sirius.

"BELLATRIX," Hart's voice boomed drawing the crazed witch's attention.

The bright green light phased by her right ear. Hart's eyes dulled and her body tensed moments before she dropped to the ground like a rag doll. Before they could stop it the Death Eaters fled. Sirius ran forth and pulled Hart's unmoving body into his.

"She will be alright. The curse didn't hit, but it did some damage since it was so close," Dumbledore spoke softly.

School was over and summer was about to begin. The students were boarding the train and Ginny was anxious. None of the group had seen Hart since the day she saved Sirius' life. She was upset with Harry, as he still didn't trust her even though she almost lost her life to save Sirius. She was even upset with Ron and Hermione because they were happy Sirius was alive but they still thought she was doing it to get on their good side, like a double agent.

A glint of light shone off a head of black hair creating a blue halo and that's when Ginny knew it was her. Racing after her the best she could she pushed her way onto the train and found the compartment she had chose to sit in. The door still wide open and she had taken a seat with her head pressed against the glass.

"May I," Ginny asked nervously.

"Of course."

Ginny moved forward and sat in the seat across from Hart. Her face was still horribly pale. Her eyes dull and expressionless, more of a brown then their normal green and the frown on her lips was by far the saddest she had ever seen this girl. Not sure what to do she shifted nervously.

"You don't have to thank me or even trust me for that matter, but I saved Sirius because he was the first person I met when I moved here," Hart turned her frozen eyes on her.

"You met Sirius? But he is in hiding," Ginny was completely shocked.

"It was an accident actually. I ended up in Grimmauld place without even knowing it. I somehow stumbled upon it and Sirius had his wand trained on my face. I laughed nervously and apologized for intruding. He was kind to me. I learn about his horrible past and they years he spent in that horrible place. But, there was just something about him, something familiar. When I spoke of my family, my parents he told me he had known them long before I was born," Hart smiled sadly.

"My parents actually went to Hogwarts, but shortly after their seventh year moved to America for a new start, a new life. They kept in touch with Sirius all those years and he met me when I was a baby. My parents were going to make him my godfather, but before they could the Potter's were killed and Sirius imprisoned and they didn't believe he didn't do it."

"So you would have pretty much been Harry's godsister now," Ginny sighed.

"I don't want him to know unless Sirius tells him the story honestly."

"I'm sorry. I do want to thank you, for what you did, even if you did it because you wanted to. It means a lot to Harry to still have his godfather. I'm sure it will be years, maybe even never, before he tells you he's thankful. And maybe I don't have to trust you, but I do," Ginny smiled reassuringly.

"Thank you," Hart smiled back a little bit of light regaining in her eyes.

The compartment door opened and Malfoy and Zabini stood with their eyebrows high. Silence laced the room and Ginny looked about ready to bolt, fearing that the boys would make fun of her in front of Hart. Neither boy said a thing and moved forward, both sitting on the same bench as Hart.

"So what are you doing in here," Zabini asked no politeness or bitterness in his tone.

"I just needed to talk to Hart," Ginny blushed at her stammered excuse.

"What would a Gryffindor have to say to a Slytherin," Malfoy laughed hauntingly.

"Leave her alone, boys. She came to thank me for helping out someone important to her," Hart shrugged them off.

"I heard about that, are you sure about what side you're on," Malfoy's eyes narrowed.

"Don't give me bullshit about my choices I make. If you don't like them so much Malfoy, then we don't have to be friends," Hart's voice was hard.

"She's right, Draco. If you don't want to be her friend you don't have to. It will only anger our families more," Zabini shrugged.

"I don't give a damn what my family thinks," Malfoy hissed.

"Then quit being such a prat."

"You have to let her chose which is best for her. Everyone has to pick a side at one point and believe me Draco, you will be no acceptation, just because you choose to be neutral now doesn't mean you can always be so," Zabini pointed out.

"I'm not going to be controlled," Malfoy snarled.

"Calm down, Draco. It's not that big of a deal. Things will be alright, however they turn out. But, if you're going to stay my friend because you want to be my friend, then you will have to accept me as I am," Hart hugged him.

"Not in front of the Gryffindor," Malfoy half-heartedly groaned.

Hart pulled back a wild smile on her face, "I'm sure Weasley will keep this to herself."

Ginny laughed nervously, nodded that she would indeed keep all of this to herself. Her family and friends would kill her if they knew she was sitting in a compartment with the door shut, two of most rude boys in school, and all three sitting across from her were Slytherin. She wasn't even sure if they would believe what just happened here anyways.

Ginny smiled softly at Hart and bid her farewell, sliding out of the compartment. No one noticed that she had just been with the Slytherins. None of the students in the compartment that she entered noticed her being late.

"Hey Ginny," Neville greeted her.

"Hey Neville," Ginny smiled before sitting down next to the said boy.

The ride home was filled with talk of the school year and everything that happened at the Ministry. The ride ended too soon and Ginny found herself standing in the Kitchen of the Barrow. Sitting at the table, Ginny placed her face in her hands, her elbows on the table.

Molly walked into the kitchen with a concerned look on her face. Molly placed herself in the chair next to Ginny and gave her a small smile.

"What's wrong Ginny dear," Molly asked softly.

"It's just… Hart helped us and she saved Sirius life and it seems like Hermione, Ron and Harry just don't care that she helped saved Harry's godfather's life and they refuse to say thank you," Ginny huffed.

"It's nothing to get frustrated with Ginny. They are a bit strong headed and still believe that anyone in Slytherin house is bad. I'm sure they will come around and see just what she did was very brave. But, I think Hart will be happy enough knowing that you said thank you and you believe in her," Molly smiled.

"Thanks Mum," Ginny hugged her mother and excused herself.