A/N: Now I can say it. Today, Monday June 21, 2010, I officially FINISHED THE EXAMS OF THIS SESSION! Okay, I still have three (er, plus one I just remembered…) reports to write, BUT the main point is the exams are over… until September, that's it. I know I said I was supposed to finish by half-June, but I forgot one last big one, which took over the last three days to finish. I'm exhausted, but at the same time, happy. I gave my everything. Still, I kind of missed my promise to you because of that little, forgotten thing. Sorry (blush)… Please, forgive me with this chapter. By the way, I want to say thank you to all of you. After the Author's note, I received many encouragements. That was so nice of you all. Thank you very, very, very, very much. They made me feel good. Please, know that I appreciate your care and attention. Now, let's get to business.

Before everything, there are things that I want to answer. First, it's about Heley's name. I have been asked many times from right to left about it, so I'll give the answer for everyone. Heley's name is pronounced "Hell-ley", the last syllable like in "Hey!". When I first thought about this story, I wanted a feminine name which started with an "H," so my character didn't need to change the initials "HP". That way, it would be easier to explain why the main character had, in her possession, all of Harry's belongings, which carried the "HP" initials. In the many FemHarry stories I have read, I saw Hariah, Harriet, Holly, Hope, Hermione 2, or even Hannah. I didn't want to use them.

Then, I thought about "Helen", a name which I'm quite fond of. However, the ending of the name doesn't fit with the personality of my character. The ending "n" sound was grave, which give the name a too noble and aristocratic sound. I had thought that a "Helen" character would fit more as Sirius' girlfriend. If I made my character a "Helen", then I would have to make her a seemingly serious, and a little bit sad, character. In that case, it doesn't fit in the story as I first imagined it would. I intended to make my character someone who wanted to be freed, so I needed a name with a light ending syllable, an ending which finished up. That was how I came up with "Heley". Some people told me that they liked the name "Heley," and well - guess what? Of course, I like the name too! It's so fitting for my character, and I'm very proud of myself for coming up with it. It took me two weeks to find it.

Though there is one thing I was curious about. After that Heley was born, I saw many new FemHarry stories where the main character's name is a lot like Heley: Haley, Hailey, Haily, Haylie, Hale, etc. They made me wonder if these names were derived from Heley, or if it was only a coincidence that so many people have thought about those seemingly Heley-like names. What do you think about it?

Now, let's get to the story!

A little summary of what has happened until now.

During the summer after the war, Harry Potter 'died' because of his injuries in the battle against Voldemort, leaving the wizarding world in mourning. The grief from the loss of a friend was the hardest to carry for Harry Potter's best friends, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, because they hadn't been there for Harry until the last moment.

In September, Hermione and Ron returned to Hogwarts to re-do their 7th year. They weren't the only ones who had this idea, so they found themselves with their old school friends again, such as Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, and Dean Thomas. Surprise: this year, Gryffindor House welcomed a 7th year transfer student named Heley Potter. Not only did Heley carry the same family name as their late friend, but she also physically looked a lot like Harry. Plus, her talent as a Quidditch seeker was very much like Harry's. Hermione, Ron, and Neville befriend Heley. One part was to help Heley fit in at the school because she was new at school. The other part: Heley's presence helped them to accept Harry's departure.

Another surprise awaiting the Gryffindors this year was Draco Malfoy's new attitude toward them. Draco Malfoy no longer made fun of the Trio, now Quartet with Neville, but he was very civil to them. He was a good Head Boy, and he truly deserved the respect of the younger Hogwarts students. Under his leadership, Malfoy succeed in changing the Slytherin House's reputation into a good image and dampened the rivalry between the lions and the snakes. The Gryffindors didn't deny Draco Malfoy's new change and welcomed it wholeheartedly. However, it didn't stop Hermione, Ron, and Neville - as well as Ginny - from feeling a little bit unsure of Malfoy's attitude toward Heley. Heley herself couldn't hide that she too was uncomfortable when the blond Slytherin was around, even though he was very nice to her.

However, after a lot of observations and thinking, Hermione pushed away all her suspicions about Draco Malfoy and saw in him an excellent opportunity to develop the inter-house unity (after all, she is Head Girl with a Gryffindor heart). The Quidditch game between Gryffindor and Slytherin was the proof of Draco Malfoy's truth. Hermione was unable to sense any bad intentions from Malfoy. She felt and knew that Draco Malfoy was sincerely nice toward Heley. Hermione wished to preserve Draco Malfoy's new change for everyone's well-being, and she was ready to do what it takes to encourage him to continue being the gentleman he's become. Just before leaving for Christmas vacation, Draco invited the Quartet and their friends to the Malfoy Manor to celebrate the New Year. Hermione, seeing a chance to develop friendship between the Gryffindors and the Slytherins, accepted the invitation in Heley's place, leaving Heley no chance to refuse.

Fallen & Risen 22. Christmas Sadness and Joy

Heley slowly opened her eyes. It was morning, and she was alone in the dorm. She smiled, remembering why she was alone. All her roommates returned back home with their families because…

'It's Christmas!' she trilled. Heley threw off her blanket and jumped off of her bed. Still grinning, she ran to the windows, opened them, and ducked her head outside. It was chilly, but it didn't matter because the snowy sight was beautiful. Large, white, fluffy snowflakes were dancing in the sky, creating a peaceful morning sight which could sooth any lonely soul.

'This is the kind of Christmas morning I like the best,' Heley thought. Unfortunately, she felt a little bit lonely. 'I wish I could watch this scenery with someone…'

Before leaving, Hermione, Ron, and Neville asked her to spend Christmas with their families, but Heley refused. This was their first peaceful Christmas after the war, and Heley knew how eager they were just at the idea of being back with their family. Heley didn't want to interfere in their family reunion.

'But even alone, I still have my share of joy,' Heley thought, looking at the pile of gifts she had received.

Heley found a huge trunk at the foot of her bed. On top of the trunk, a letter innocently rested, beckoning her to read it. Curious, she picked it up, examining it. When she saw the hand writing on the envelope, her heart leaped in her chest. Heley recognized the handwriting.

'Sirius!'

Feeling excited and sad at the same time, she clumsily opened the envelope, nearly tearing the letter inside. Sitting on her bed, she started to read.

Heley,

If you're reading this letter, that means that I'm not alive anymore. Curse a certain Moldywart!

"Hahahahaha!" Heley laughed, crying tears of joy and sadness. It was definitely from Sirius. Only he could make her laugh, even in the worst situation. She missed him so much. She continued to read the letter.

But well, I wish I could see you back as a girl, while I was still alive. Certainly, you will become a beautiful young lady, Heley. I just hope that your mother's genes will win over your father's for your hair. Poor girl! On the very first day you came into the world, you were cursed with your father's impossible-to-discipline hair! Did you know that, when you were still a baby, I offered a sample of my hair to charm yours to be smooth, silky and elegant like mine? But nooooooooo, your father said that his hair is stylish (STYLISH!), and that you will need his hair to become a pretty girl! He even dared to make a remark that I lack of sense of elegance! Me, Sirius Black, lacking of elegance? Hmph! That was the stupidest thing I ever heard from him (among thousand of other stupidities)! I was known as the most handsome and most elegant boy in all of Hogwarts' history (and I'm being humble, by the way), and he, that porcupine-hair-ball father of yours, dared to say that I, Sirius Black, lack a of sense of elegance? Hah! I knew James had a weird sense of fashion, but it never occurred to me that it was that bad! He even bonked me a good one on the head (it still hurts, you know), just because I said that I wanted to spare you from the fatality of inheriting his hair. Such an ungrateful jerk, your father! And I was only showing how wonderful and caring (and extremely handsome and gorgeous) a godfather I was for you!

"Hahahahaha!" Heley laughed harder, wiping away the steady trail of tears.

In case the worst has happened - you indeed inherited your father messy ball of a porcupine head - I will give you this trunk of clothes. It's a magical, bottomless trunk. You can put everything inside, and it will always have place to put more. Your mother helped me to place a charm on it, so you will receive it on the morning of your 18th Christmas. I made a magical contract with the best tailors of London. They are paid to make you a whole wardrobe set, from casual to special events clothes, and everything from the latest fashion. I specifically told them that I want only the best for my gorgeous goddaughter! Everything must be sent to you for your eighteenth Christmas. There are also accessories to complement everything, from shoes to purses and everything. I told them if they don't do it properly, I would come back and haunt them until the last day of their life, and that my ghost would also haunt their next ten generations of children!

Heley smiled, a few more tears falling from her eyes.

Promise me one thing, would you Heley? Once you have the clothes, immediately wear a pretty dress, go see Draco Malfoy, and rub it in his face! He will definitely turn Slytherin-ly green of jealousy when he see's you're more fashionably dressed than him! Hahahaha! Please, also take a picture of his face and put it on my tomb, so James and I can laugh at him from where we will be too. By the way, keep the last line only to yourself and don't tell your mother, okay? She'd be after James' and my throats, if she knew about that! And also visit us in your new clothes. We will be patiently and proudly waiting to see how beautifully you have grown up.

Remember Heley, even if we are not physically near you, we will always be watching you from above.

From your (so handsome, extremely gorgeous and utterly wonderful) loving godfather,
Sirius Black

Heley wiped her tearful face with the back of her hand, sniffing. She was startled when she saw another letter under Sirius' one. This time, it was from her parents. She recognized her mother's handwriting from reading Lily's diary.

'Mom, dad…'

With her trembling hands, she unfolded the letter. This time, she was more cautious, running her fingers delicately over the papers. After all, this letter was from her parents.

Heley darling,

We wish that we never had to write this letter. Right now, the Wizarding world is living in a nightmare - one that we can't seem to wake up from. We are worried that if the war against Voldemort and his Death Eaters doesn't end soon, we might not be there to see you growing up. In case our fear becomes reality, we're leaving this letter to carry our love for you to you.

'Mom, dad…' More tears escaped from her eyes.

When I was pregnant with you, we didn't want to know if you were a boy or a girl. Boy or girl, you were still our darling child. Your father and I had decided if you were a boy, you would be named Harry. If you were a girl, you would be Heley. I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. It was the night of August 31. Your father and your soon-to-be-godfather were being idiots like they had always been. James was petting my belly, saying,

"Come out now to meet daddy, little baby. Come out now to meet your awesome and wonderful - the most wonderful - father in the world."

I told him that he was being ridiculous and that no baby would want to have such a father. But I wasn't even able finish my lines before my water broke. Your father bursted in my face:

"Hahahahaha! See, the little darling already wants to meet me!"

If I hadn't been in so much pain, I would have punched your father's face because he was laughing at me. But you needed my attention more than he did, so you kind of spared him from my punch.

"Hahahahahaha!" Heley laughed.

As I was in pain from having you, your father and Sirius lost themselves in panic. They kept shouting and yelling, running around the house, and bumping into the furniture and each other. By chance, Remus was there, and he had the common sense to keep his head cool. He took everything in hand to help me because your father and Sirius were useless. Everything went so fast that we didn't have time to think about going to St. Mungo's. Besides, Remus did an excellent job. I couldn't ask for a better mediwizard. But still, that didn't stop your father from being rude to Remus. Just when you were going to be born, your father pushed Remus aside and caught you in his hands. Remus had good reason to hex James, but alas, James was once more spared from that fatality because Remus was too nice a guy.

Following her mother's letters, there were her father's too. Heley read all the twenty-some pages of memorable stories from her childhood with her parents. When she finished reading everything, her face and pajamas were damp with tears of sadness and happiness.

'Mom… Dad…' She hugged the letters against her chest. This really was her best Christmas. Come to think of it, she was happy to spend Christmas alone - alone with her parents. She wasn't sure she could have allowed herself to freely express her feelings if Ron, Hermione, or Neville were there.

Yet, her best friends didn't forget about her. Next to Sirius' trunk, Heley saw a pile of gifts from them. She took the first box on the top. It was from Ron. She unwrapped the red paper.

"Wow! Honeydukes' Sweets Assortment Deluxe Box!" Heley whistled in appreciation. She read the message attached to the gift.

MERRY CHRISTMAS HELEY! This is my gift for you. It's Honeydukes' Sweets Assortment Deluxe Box. You have all kinds of sweets inside: Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Jelly Snails, White Mice chocolates and this piece of paper is too small to list them all! There are also sweets from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, my brother's shop. Actually, the Honeydukes box was just an excuse for me to give you sweets from George's shop. They are pretty useful when you want to miss a class, but don't tell Hermione that please or she'll be after my head. It tears my heart to think that you will eat all those delicious looking sweets alone and not with me, but I'm still giving it to you. So please, be nice and double-enjoy (one enjoy for me) them all for me. I'll try not to fly to you now to steal one or two pieces from you.

Heley, you sure you don't want to spend Christmas with us? You can stop by for only a day if you prefer. At least come to our Christmas feast. Mom's Christmas cake is unique, and it's me who said that (and it has nothing to do with her being my mother). So think about it again.

Best Christmas,
Ron

.

Heley smiled, thinking.

'Well, maybe tonight I will stop by at the Burrow. I do like Mrs. Weasley's cooking.'

She put Ron's gift aside and took the second box. It was from Hermione. There were two gifts inside. From Hermione Granger, the first gift wasn't a surprise: it was a book. But for Heley, it was a very interesting book because it was a historical record of the best Quidditch Seeker players of the century.

'The Book of the Best Quidditch Seeker Players of the Century,' Heley read the title. 'Wow! Nice one!' Heley thought. The second gift was a surprise. It was something which was unlike Hermione Granger to give: an assortment of biscuits.

.

Merry Christmas, Heley. You're an amazing Seeker, so I'm sure you'll like this book. It gives you descriptions of many strategies for Quidditch games. Even I was caught into wanting to read it, even though I'm not very fond of Quidditch. As for the biscuits, it's all because of Ron's gift. His Honeydukes box will certainly give you a toothache with all those sweets. There were enough to give anyone cavities. I told him about it, but he insisted on giving it to you. I'm suspecting that he is hiding something from me, and that the Honeydukes box was just an excuse to cover it. Anyway, I'll give you this biscuit assortment. They are made to protect teeth from being spoiled. Eat them before eating Ron's sweets.

Best wished,
Hermione

.

Heley smiled.

'Okay, so it's not that surprising for Hermione to give healthy-teeth cookies. Her parents are dentists after all. They must have rubbed off on her,' she thought, laughing. Putting Hermione's gift next to Ron, Heley picked up Neville's.

Neville sent her a plant. When Heley first saw it, she was wary. It looked a lot like Neville's fire-spitting Filly. It was a greenish-yellow, carnivorous-like flower, but it didn't have boils like the Filly. The flower was closed, and it seemed to be filled with something inside. Heley took Neville's message card.

Hello Heley, I think that Ron's gift might give you a stomachache with all those sweets. So I'll give you this Mellabicus xanthinus apiciriusis aureolus millis. Don't worry, she—

.

'So it's a 'she' like Filly too. How can Neville know the sex of a plant?' Heley frowned, then shrugged her shoulders. She gave up searching for an explanation beyond her comprehension. 'Must be something only a Herbology genius can understand.' She continued to read.

.

—doesn't spit fire, even if she looks like Filly (Heley sighed in relief). This Mellabicus xanthinus makes a wonderful cure for any kind of stomach troubles. Just wait until the flower becomes completely yellow before taking the honey. It should be in one or two days. The mouth of the flower will open when the honey is ready.

Merry Christmas and best wishes,
Neville

.

'Well, Melly will be useful,' Heley thought. Then she gasped. 'Oh Merlin! I just gave a name to a potted plant! Ohhhhh!' She groaned. 'Neville must have rubbed off hard on me…' Heley wasn't sure she was happy with that. She put Mell-… Neville's gift down to pick the next one. Surprisingly, it was a gift from Blaise.

.

Merry Christmas, Heley. I know for sure that Neville will give you one of his Mella-somethings (sorry, the name is too long for me to remember), so I'll give you this potion. Neville's Mella-something honey is very effective for stomach troubles (I know because Neville gave me some for a stomachache I had), but it tastes awfully, horribly, dreadfully yucky! Trust me on that one. I once saw Neville make it for his plants, so I re-made it for you. I added something in to give a better taste to the honey, so you will be spared from the dreadful taste. Just add a spoon in the water when you water the Mella-thingy.

Best wishes,
Blaise

.

Heley smiled at Blaise's note and put his gift next to Neville's. Seamus and Dean sent her gifts too. Like Ron, it was also sweets, but they looked to be homemade sweets.

'ello, Heley. Merry Christmas! It was us who made these candies. We were thinking about joining Ron's brother's shop after graduation, and we started coming up with our own creations. You have the honor to be the first person to try them. Actually, we don't really know what the effects of these candies are because we haven't had time to try them yet (well, to tell the truth, we weren't sure we wanted to eat these ones because they look so weird). So, tell us after you eat them, okay?

Seamus and Dean

.

"Hahahaha!" Heley laughed. Basically, Seamus and Dean just wanted her to be their guinea pig. Heley wasn't sure she wanted to eat it when even the creators of these candies didn't want to eat them. And there was still a gift left.

"Wow…" Heley whispered when she saw it. It was a simple, white, lily flower carved in crystal. The pistils sprouted little lights, which were dancing around the flower. Heley delicately picked up the flower, admiring it from every angle.

"It's… It's beautiful…" she marveled. "Who did it come from?"

Heley picked up the card attached to it. There was only three words scribbled in an elegant hand writing.

.

Merry Christmas, Heley.

.

"Hm?" There wasn't any name on it. "Who could it be?"

Then her nose picked a scent from the card. Heley brought the card closer to her nose, smelling it again. It was a mixture of fresh mint and black pepper, something which reminded her of a snowy day of winter.

"I know this scent… I am sure of it… But from where…?" Heley mumbled.

Post on Monday June 21, 2010. Beta-ed (Monday June 21 and Thursday August 12).