A/N: Another long lapse of time has passed. I have not become a filthy rich author. And the only thing I own is my imagination.

Second Year: Life Doesn't Stop

That summer felt dreary to Diara. It brought changes to the family that, although anyone could predict them, the impact still hurt. Without her mother, the home was different. Harald Potter had retired from the hospital following his wife's death. Diara and James couldn't ever remember their father being home so much. Jack Abbot invited them to dinner sometimes, to discuss medicine and pick Harald's brain, but it wasn't the same without Charisse's warmth.

Nothing was the same. Diara felt awkward approaching her parents' bedroom. She had spent hours in there, helping her mom with her outfits, having her hair brushed out in a futile attempt to manage the tangles. Now the room was someplace she avoided. She couldn't imagine which would be worse: if her father had left the room as it was, a memorial to her mother's last days at home, or if he were to slowly make it more masculine, a widower's room. No room in the house was the same.

James pushed away some of the sadness, as he had always done, by inviting his friend's over and spending ridiculous amounts of time planning pranks. Diara knew, though she told nobody, that the Marauders were also working on their animagus transformations. Remus had not been too thrilled when he first found out what they were doing, of course, but even before they had discovered their forms he had been resigned. Diara had caught a few strains of arguments though; as Remus thought trying at home was risky. At least at school, if something went wrong, Professor McGonagall would be able to set them right in a jiffy. James argued that his dad could too.

Diara spent her summer quietly, for the most part. She interacted with the Marauders at meals, or when they planned a prank on her. A couple times she visited with Sierra, her Hufflepuff friend. Once she visited with Courtney and they had taken her to an ice cream parlor and to do something called bowling. It had not been a good experience. While Diara had been out in the Muggle world before, enough to dress the part, and she was familiar with Muggle transportation, her lack of knowledge of Muggle music had stood out. Courtney had given her an apologetic look, but her parents had not looked understanding at the many times Diara had floundered and drawn attention. Diara, personally, had just been glad she hadn't had a vision while around Courtney's parents. They were still struggling to accept their daughter's magic and Diara couldn't imagine them reacting well to a seer. Diara hadn't been invited back.

Diara's twelfth birthday had been an awkward affair, being the first any had celebrated since Charisse's death. The House Elf had baked a beautiful cake and gifts had been given. Sirius, who seemed to spend at least every other day at the house, was in attendance at the party. After the cake was duly consumed in lieu of breakfast, Diara indulging in a very large slice, gifts were levitated into the room. James and Sirius were doing their very best to make the day joyous. A joint gift from the two turned out to be a collection of prank supplies…with one activated upon her opening it, turning her face green.

Apparently the boys had recently heard about a Muggle story, "The Wizard of Oz" and a witch had green skin in the story. Diara rather wished they weren't so interested in Muggle culture, especially if it involved turning her face green, but knew that was a doomed hope. Sirius liked anything his family hated and James wanted to explore anything to do with Lily.

After encouraging Fiend to get the boys (the cat ignored her, but Diara was sure that they would find some belongings shredded later), the laughter settled and the small party continued. Finally there was only one package left. Diara was feeling quite joyful by this point, her father telling jokes along with the boys.

"Sweetie, this last one is a bit different. It's not really from me." Harald's voice drew Diara's attention to him more firmly. She looked into his lined face and saw a glisten of tears. James and Sirius too, seemed to note the different tone; James elbowed Sirius to be quiet. "Your mother wanted you to have this."

Diara took the small box from her father's thin fingers. It was wrapped in teddy bear paper, the same paper she had once sent things to James in, when he had been a first year. Gently parting the Spell-O-Tape, Diara tried to save the paper. Opening the box she found a long golden chain with a pendant on the end. Her hands shook as she held it up: The chain, she knew, would be long enough to reach her mid-chest. At the bottom hung the molded golden face of a lion with a ruby in its mouth. It was a necklace that Charisse had worn many times, and even allowed Diara to try on once before.

Tears flooding her eyes, Diara tore away from the table and ran to her room, Fiend at her side. It was hours before she could be coaxed out.

-DP-DP-DP-

A week later, Diara woke up with pain in her stomach. "Ugh," she groaned, as she made her way to the bathroom. For a moment, she thought she would throw up, but the nausea passed quickly. However, as she went to relieve herself, her face paled. "Oh no! Not now!"

Diara wasn't a stranger to what would happen with her body. Her mother had warned her before going off to Hogwarts for the first time, about menstruation and puberty. After all, Diara knew, she could have reached puberty anytime during her first year! But, oh Merlin! She didn't have supplies and, Mediwizard or not, talking to her father about this would be…

Biting her lip, the girl sat in the room for a few moments, before stuffing sanitary paper into her undergarments to catch any blood and pulling her clothes back on. Once she at least appeared decent, she called for the family's House Elf.

Twilsy was a female elf, who usually spent her time cleaning the house and preparing meals for the family. Diara was hoping that Twilsy would be able to help her.

"Twilsy!" Diara called from her room. A moment later a Pop! Sounded and the young elf appeared, brushing down the apron that wrapped around her body like a dress. "Yesses, young mistress? How's Twilsy be helpings you?"

Diara bit her lip. "Uhm…" Silence. She drew a deep breath. "I have begun … I reached puberty. And uhm… hygiene supplies?"

"OH, miss," the elf said, her brown eyes big in her face as she looked up at the petite witch. "Twilsy be gotting somes for yous. The missus ast mes to gets some long ago she did!" Diara sighed in relief as the elf popped out.

A moment later, the elf popped back into the room, with a discreet pile of laundry. The elf grinned up at Diara, "Mes will freshen yers nest." From within the stack of sheets, the elf pulled a small bag of hygiene supplies.

"Oh thank you Twilsy!" Diara was already planning on sneaking away during the next trip to Diagon alley to purchase more, and perhaps a book on women's charms (which she would only be able to use at Hogwarts…stupid rules on no magic outside of school!), and….well, Diara figured boobs would be next and perhaps a training bra or two would be wise…

-DP-DP-DP-DP

Going back to school felt like a relief to Diara. This year, in addition to games of Exploding Snap, the new Second Years were allowed to bring broomsticks from home. Courtney didn't have one, but used a school broomstick and flew around with Diara for fun. Sierra was nearly as Quidditch-mad as Diara and her brother were. Gawain and Merry also loved the sport, though they had no ambitions to play beyond a pick-up game. The group of Second Years were all practicing together and enjoying playing, something they couldn't do the year before. Diara was hoping to make Quidditch try outs as a Seeker, but hadn't said anything to her friends, just that they should all play and practice flying together.

There were detractors from her goal, however. Barbie and Isadora, her tormenters from Slytherin had been quite vocal in their protestations. "A freak playing Quidditch? I bet she only wins because she cheats," Barbie taunted.

Isadora smirked. "I would never trust any team letting her on it. They're all cheating!"

As parries from the two girls went, they were pretty weak. However, they had repercussions. Everyone was checking the rule books and "Quidditch Through the Ages." Nothing seemed very clear however, to the Second Years gathered around a copy on the pitch. Eventually, the Flying Instructor was consulted.

Professor Hawke was a stern man, tall, thin, and athletic. His glasses were perched low on his beak-like nose. In order to resolve the conundrum once and for all, Barbie and Isadora were both there, having brought the professor to solve the issue. Also present were the entirety of the group who liked to play Quidditch together.

"See Professor, this is her. Diara Potter. These ruffians hope to train her up as their Seeker. They think she isn't cheating. But she's a seer! Seers can't play competitive sports!" Isadora's nose couldn't have been any higher in the air as she smirked at Diara.

Courtney and Griselda pushed in front of Diara. The two often butted heads, but were really good friends. Griselda glared at the two Pureblooded Slytherins. "If it's just a pick-up game, we can make the rules! Only you two don't agree, and you don't even play!"

The professor looked at the squabbling teens, then down at Diara, peering at her closely. "Hmm, yes I had heard a seer was among the student body. These young ladies are party right: there is a ban."

Diara sighed. "But sir, it doesn't work that way…"

The man nodded. "Yes, which is why I expect you to practice and join try outs. The ban is only for the professional level. You, my dear, may play all the pick-up games, or even games representing Hogwarts that you like. As a minor you are not expected to fully control your gift." The instructor nodded and turned to Isadora and Barbie, who looked like they had swallowed a lemon each. "Now, young ladies, thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention, however, as you can see, Ms. Potter is well within her right to play at the school level."

Sierra slung her arm over Diara's shoulder. "So, what do you think, you make Gryffindor's team, and I for Hufflepuff? I bet my team kicks your team's arse!"

Diara laughed. "Okay, I'll take that bet! Loser gets pranked by the Marauders!"

Griselda and Courtney, who had common ground in their crushes on the Marauder's, perked up at the word 'Marauders.' They started arguing about who was dreamier, Remus or Sirius.

Gawain and Merry groaned, and then sped off on their brooms. "Let's play already," Gawain called.

Diara thought she heard Merry complain, "Ugh they are such girls!" Together with her friends, nemesis beaten, Diara laughed. Second Year was starting out well…her heart, surrounded by friends and tempered by time, was beginning to heal.