Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine.

Thursday morning, Harry received an owl from the Ministry that was telling him when Auror training would begin, and was pleased to find it wasn't until after Hogwarts started. (This was because many of the Auror-to-be were helping to finish the Hogwarts grounds). But that wasn't the letter that Harry had been looking forward to reading. It was his parents' that was more important to him.

Dear Harry,

Merry Christmas! We just realized we forgot something with the last letter. We were going to give you a picture of Tiara. So now it should be in the envelope.

Harry looked inside the envelope and out came the picture. A red-haired, green-eyed woman held a calico cat up the camera, and several old toys were scattered on the floor. She was sitting on the carpet just in front of a gray couch. The cat was struggling, and his mum was laughing as she held her tight. Tiara almost escaped, but Lily caught her just in time. She was wearing her long hair up in a ponytail, and had a scarf the color of her eyes wrapped around her neck. Harry felt like he could have stared at the photo all day, watching his mum laugh as she held onto the cat. He turned back to the letter to continue reading it, but-

CRACK! A house-elf Harry didn't recognize Apparated right next to him, and said, almost lazily, "Hermione Granger says I is to take you to Gryffindor common room." He grabbed Harry's arm and Apparated him away, Harry just barely managing to drop the letter.

"Thank you," said Hermione sweetly. She was sitting in a chair next to the fire with parchment and books scattered in front of her on the table. The elf left, and Hermione turned to Harry. "Ron's coming too," she said. Sure enough, Ron arrived with a second elf after she said that.

"What is it?" he grumbled.

"I've been doing some spells," she said, gesturing to the array books. "And I think Lucy was Obliviated between 1979 and 1982." She paused, as though expecting them to say something.

"That's great," said Ron. "Is there anything else?"

"Do we know anyone who would have been at Hogwarts then?"

"Tonks?" Harry suggested.

"Bill?" asked Ron.

"They would've just been first years in 1982."

"What about teachers?" said Ron.

"Why don't we just call her in here?" Harry said.

"Lucy?" called Hermione. A moment later, Lucy came, now fully clothed and clean. She was still wearing her scarf, however, and Harry thought it looked a little familiar. He shook this thought out of his mind, and listened to Hermione.

"Did you see any students or teachers on your way out of Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.

The elf screwed up her face in concentration. "I is walking," she said slowly. "And I is seeing no-one -" Ron groaned "- except for one man."

"Go on," said Hermione.

"He is staring down hall."

"Can you describe him?"

"He is teacher." She thought again. "He is not looking happy. He is wanting something. Job, I is knowing."

"You remember something?!" Ron exclaimed.

"No, Ron," said Hermione gently. "When something happens often enough, it can be hard for it to be fully erased. And she was Obliviated in a hurry."

"He is one who yells. Dumbledore is liking him, though. Even though he is yelling. He is being good."

"Do you know anything else?" Harry asked. "Hair color?"

"He is having black hair, I is thinking." Lucy paused. "I is needing to go to kitchens now," she said, and she walked back out of the common room.

"That's great!" said Ron. "Just leave as soon as you start giving us useful information, will you?"

"That's really helpful, actually," said Hermione, flipping through the biggest book.

"What's that?" asked Harry.

"Record of staff." She turned the pages. "Only one black-haired man was hired in the three years."

"Who?" asked Harry.

"Professor Snape," said Hermione. "He was hired in 1981."

"I just wish we had a portrait of him to talk to," said Harry. "That'd be really helpful."

"They're putting one up soon, don't worry about it," said Hermione, sounding slightly exasperated.

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Harry sat back in his chair at Grimmauld Place. His mind seemed to be racing with possibilities about Lucy, even though all he wanted to do was finish the letter. He picked it up and started where he had left off.

When do you learn Accio? Fourth year. Oh, what does it matter? Accio's the Summoning Charm, Harry, and it's very useful. If you point your wand at snow, say "Accio," and move your wrist in a circle, it creates the perfect snowball. Then all you have to do is hurl it at someone with your wand. Maybe you should master Accio normally first, though, otherwise you could get hurt.

Have I mentioned not to take Divination? It's too late for that, James. Sorry.

Merry Christmas, Harry. We love you,

Mum & Dad

Harry leaned back in his chair. He would have to try that when it started snowing again.

He rose from the chair and wandered around the house, Summoning and Transfiguring what he needed for Teddy's visit tomorrow. When at last he had set up the cradle, he went back to his own room.

He sank into his bed and opened the copy of Advanced Defensive Spells Hermione had gotten him for his birthday. It included multiple spells and counter-jinxes Harry had never heard of before, and all too often, Harry caught himself pinpointing the exact spell that could have saved someone. In fact, as Harry read about spell that slowed down quickly falling objects and explosions, he realized that it was the one that could have saved Fred.

Thank you for reading! I know this chapter is really short (and so is the letter), and I'm sorry if that bothers you. However, Teddy is coming next chapter, so that should make some of you happy (that's what it seems like from the reviews). Aithne, ragsweas, and Cassandra30, thanks for the reviews! Gime'SS, you're welcome! delia, I'm glad you're interested in my story, but there will be Hinny in it. Thank you again for reading, and please review!