January 13h

"You know mistletoe's magic wears off after the start of the New Year." Ginny's skeptically addressed the smirking boy as he held the door to Third Year Arthimacy open for her.

"Leave her be, Zambini" Daphne demanded of her housemate. "Come here Ginny, sit between Granger and I, we'll protect you from the boys."

"Ah sad truth, my dear Lady," Blaise replied, defeated, as he put the holly back into this pocket and moved aside. Rolling her eyes, she moved past him to sit with Hermione and Daphne. She was never more thankfully for only three girls to have taken this class at this time. If Blaise had tried that in any other class, or gods above, the Great Hall, she would have been victim to hundreds of death glares sent her way.

Immediately after Dumbledore announced her advancement into the Third year, she became aware that she had mistaken Ron as the one to react poorly; he was overjoyed in comparison to the girls of Hogwarts. Most of them anyway, and not out of envy for being one of the rare students to advance prior to Third year; Ginny soon found out that her advancement from Second to Third year included an honorary advancement in age. Her potential he suitors of Hogwarts were quick to react to her as a 13 year old, despite her protests that she was in fact still legally only 12 years old, and therefore not legally allowed to be pursued by said suitors. Their constant ignorance of such facts led to two outcomes:

Ginny was now an object of ire for most witches, even those younger than 13 who were jealous she was using the apparent loophole.

Ron was being much too overprotective (embarrassingly so) of her, especially when he realized just who was quite seriously interested in marrying his baby sister.

It took most of her will power to remind herself the best parts of being advanced a year:

Being in the same classes with Hermione, Neville, Ron and Harry.

Being allowed to go to Hogsmeade, just as soon as her father convinced her mum to sign the slip.

Slightly more challenging homework.

More free time to do said work, or in her case, practice her spells.

The look on the elder Gryffindors faces when they found out she was Snape's favorite student.

And finally:

Spending more time with Harry. Having more to talk about with Harry. Getting to secretly look at Harry. Catching Harry sneaking peeks at her. Catching Harry blushing when he thinks someone's caught him looking at her. Catching Harry rouse with some new emotion in his eyes when he catches others, namely Draco, openly looking at her. Catching Hermione pulling both Harry and Ron away when others flirt with her.

The last reason was thrilling; it made it difficult not to let herself succumb to the dream of Harry returning her feelings. She didn't want to be blushing, shy Ginny ever again.

"Why thank you ever so Daphne." Ginny smiled as she sat between her two friends. That was another plus about being a third year. The Third years of Slytherin House unanimously decided to use Ginny as a bridge between the purebloods and the muggleborns, especially Hermione. She had an inkling it was Draco's doing, in effort to prove that for her sake, he could and would grow as a person. She didn't care if it actually worked on all them. "How was your weekend?"

"Dreadful. The boys were training for the match, and the girls were training for the ball. Remind me again why you aren't going to the Imbolc celebration at the ministry? I personally think it would be the perfect holiday for you to make your entrance into society."

"I agree with Daphne, my Lady, and I for one would do anything to be your first dance partner on the day of initiations…" Draco announces grinning. "After all -Thig an nathair as an toll Là donn Brìde,Ged robh trì troighean dhen t-sneachd Air leac an làir." ("The serpent will come from the hole On the brown Day of Bride, Though there should be three feet of snow On the flat surface of the ground.")

"Wonderful Gaelic, Malfoy, but I want to walk into my class hearing my students discussing the wonders of Arthimacy, not wooing twelve year old girls."

Sheepishly Draco sat straight and poised as the perfect student. "Yes Professor."

"Good. Now class, as of last week…"

Ginny tried to pay attention in her new classes, and it was fairly difficult to discreetly daydream when Hermione sat next to her, but as much as Arthimacy may have advanced since Tom took it, the beginners level was the same. She dutifully copied down notes and wore a mask of interest as she mentally went over a situation that was more important to her.

Padfoot.

She spent most of her holiday evading her mother's worried looks by scouring her uncles' books in the attic; she almost gave up before she stumbled upon the potion in one of their old DADA textbooks. It had only taken three days to brew, but the time needed to procure ingredients and wait, all while pretending to be ignorant of the possibility that Padfoot was just a dog, weighed heavily on that short time and all she could think of today was that the potion used for revealing an Animangus's true form would be finished. She had done everything as secretly as she could, not daring to give the dog any indication that she suspected him of being a wizard. The potion was sitting safely in her truck, thankfully having a floral fragrance with all the lavender required, none of her dorm mates suspected her, not even Hermione. Ginny surmised the older girl's elation of having a friend as a roommate clouded her keen observation skills…either that or she was too swamped with work with all her extra courses. Regardless she was thankful of her good fortune, if she had made the same mistake twice, this time she would handle it.

As the New Year began, Ginny's fears of Padfoot being a wizard only increased, and as she tried to logically explain just who he could truly be, a cursed 7th year was the least likely outcome. As far as she knew the only publically unaccounted for wizard in Britain (who wasn't a dark lord) escaped Azkaban a few months ago.

Sirius Black.

"My Lady, since you deny me the pleasure of escorting you to the Imbolc festivities, perhaps you would allow me to walk you to your next class?"

Ginny blinked her chocolate eyes and focused on the Slytherin before her. Draco was by far the most persistent of her suitors, and the most aggressive. He had discreetly cast a sticking charm on Blaise's seat, causing his friend to frustratingly beg Daphne for help. Ginny bit back her smile, it was just the tiniest bit flattering to have the two boys attention, even if she doubted the intent of such attention.

"I am sorry Draco, I have a free period next, and then Transfiguration with my fellow third year lions. I don't think that would be wise." she replied diplomatically.

"Ah yes, your brother, the Weasel," Draco smirked as she glared instinctively at the name, "I wouldn't want to reenact the scene from the beginning of term."

Ginny blushed slightly when Draco brought up that day. Her holiday at home with family wasn't exactly what she expected as it turned she was the only one to go. Percy opted to stay because he was Head Boy, and felt his place was helping the younger students who were stuck at school over the holidays. The twins always used those weeks to do the bulk of their scheming and plotting. Ron wanted to be a big boy and stay at school with his friends. At least Bill and Charlie had made a special trip, via a donated international portkey (she suspected it was sent by either the Malfoys or Zambinis, both of the families used them frequently).

After a heated fireplace call, Ron thought it best to greet her at the carriages…or at least Hermione convinced him, and Harry helped drag him along… which was very sweet of him (them) until Ron saw who shared her carriage.

The Slytherin Third years.

All of them.

And they had her trapped, or so Ron thought, pulling her hair and poking her.

The reality was that Pansy and Millicent were braiding her long locks, while Daphne changed the colors of their nails. The boys sat on the opposite side, joking and flirting with the girls whilst discussing Quidditch. The boys were insufferable once they realized she knew her Quidditch.

Sadly, Ron disputed the reality with his own, and promptly made an ass out of himself by successfully hexing them all, including her, and landing himself a week's worth of detention with Snape, who was gracious enough to immediately relieve Ron's victims before billowing away in his robes.

"No you wouldn't want to fall victim twice in one month now would you." She let her smile free and flounced past him with a wink. "Tata for now Draco."

It took all her control not to run to her dorm and retrieve the potion. She barely remembered dropping off her books and grabbing her coat before flying down the girls' staircase and out of the tower, her hand wrapped tightly around the freshly brewed potion as she made her way to Padfoot. Her Padfoot. Her sweet Padfoot who was waiting for her like any good dog would for his owner. Her darling Padfoot who listened to her woes and offered empathy without anything in return. Her playful Padfoot who would do all he could to cheer her up. She looked into his dark grey eyes and realized even if he wasn't human, he wasn't a normal dog.

"Impedimenta!"

May he forgive her if she were wrong. He fought her jinx, his eyes wide with fear, looking at her every bit the betrayed friend that he was as she poured the sweet potion down his tongue.

She stood in front of him, wand ready, waiting for the potion to work or her jinx to wear off, whichever happened first, she would not leave him unguarded, either she was right and he was dangerous or she was wrong and owed him an apology.

The seconds ticked by, turning into minutes, She hadn't realized she had stopped breathing until she heard herself gasp.

"Sirius Black."

Authors Notes: I really hate to leave it off there, especially for my faithful followers (I love the new language on , it's as if I lead a sect of a religion) but I tried continuing and it wasn't flowing properly. February is just around the corner! And hopefully I'll update again before the end of the world.

Review Responses:

Thank you everyone who has reviewed and sent pms. I hope I haven't disappointed anyone anymore than by taking so long!