( For those that have found this. Welcome...For those that have been reading, welcome back. I would sincerely prefer some feedback since I'm already 3 chapters in. I don't need them to write, but they are nice for feedback.)

As always: I don't own it. Enjoy!

Gryffindor Middle Courtyard, First week of October

School had been in session for nearly a month now and a cold wind had flown over the castle grounds. I was dressed as warmly as I could muster sitting in the Middle Courtyard. There was a spot under the great Oak tree that was becoming a favorite of mine.

Classes had seemed to go well as expected. Except that the coursework was far too easy for me. This, to me, seemed to be a review term from my Professor's. After Dumbledore's announcement when I arrived, there seemed to be a slow trickle of people who wanted to talk to me. Most of them boys-who were enchanted by American girl in their school. When I politely informed them that I was British, that didn't seem to deter them.

Harry and I had several times to meet up and talk. He seemed more interested in finding out information about our parents than anything else. I didn't have a problem telling him what I remembered. He seemed to enjoy everything I said. Soaked it in so well that he was fully saturated. It pulled at my heart to see him so eager to learn about our parents. The things he missed out on.

So every Wednesday, we made a pact to sit around and I would tell him about my life and the life I that I remember with our parents. Hermione and Ron would sometimes sit with us but there were days that it became too emotional that Harry didn't want them there. Each story-as many as I could remember-was enough to give him a glimpse. I think he walked away each night a little more somber, yet a little more elated.

Hogwarts, it seemed, was as boring as Ilvermorny. Until I walked into my first Defense class. I had successfully avoided the questions of all the students. Hermione, I came to find out, was the genius of the group. She berated the boys to study more and take their classes seriously. Ronald, the youngest Weasley boy was self imposed and a bit of a slacker.

Stepping into the Defense classroom on the Thursday after I had started Hogwarts, I knew I was behind a week so I had plenty of time to get caught up before I would launch into the regular syllabus. Taking a seat, my eyes drifted over the classroom. An iron chandelier hung from the ceiling, as well as a Dragon's skeleton. On one end of the classroom stood a projector that is activated by magic. I seriously think this was my favorite classroom thus far.

Don't get me wrong Professor McGonagall's room was neat too. She was by far becoming my favorite teacher. With Professor Flitwick chasing her.

Reaching into my bag, I grabbed my book and flipped it open to the chapter we were discussing. I had read through the chapters already and completed several of the required essays. With the help from McGonagall request of a time-turner, which I found to be extraordinary-I completed nearly half of the work I needed done.

Sitting there, I always arrived early, I flipped lazily through the chapter. Jotting down a note here or there, I didn't realize when other students filtered in. The next time I came in early, I would have my magical music device. Nifty little spell Amelia Vance taught me. It comes in handy when I go running in the mornings-which I promised myself by next Monday I would start back up.

The door closed suddenly startling me from my thoughts when I looked there stood a man I hadn't seen since I was five. Remus Lupin. Uncle Mooney to me, that is. HE was my Professor? Unfortunately for him, he looked worse for wear. My heart ached for my long lost Uncle.

"Now then class please open "Confronting the Dark Arts on page 112. We'll be reading about disorientation spells. Now, can anyone give me tell me five ways to disorient someone?"

This went on for nearly an hour. I had already learned quite a few spells like this during Junior Auror camp that my stepfather's best friend had helped me go to. He had been an instructor-quite brutal too. Finally, with thirty minutes left, he called two of my classmates up to a podium he had erected.

"Now Layla and Branson will demonstrate the use of the disorientation spells. On my count….One, two, three"

In a span of seconds, Layla had cast 'Oculus reverso' on Branson which caused him to run backwards into the door. Some of the students snickered but he cast 'Oculus dextrus'. This was even more funny because she veered right into the closest student. Seeing that everything could get out of control. Professor Lupin, as I was now to call him, cast "Finite' on the students.

"Ten points to both students for excellent showmanship." A bell rang from somewhere far away and everyone started gathering their things. "I want a two foot scroll about disorientation spells and how best to use them against an opponent."

I lingered until everyone had left. When the last one left, I was left to face Uncle Mooney alone. I watched as he cast a Locking Charm on the door as well as a Silencing Charm. Turning back to me, I dropped my bag and launched myself at him. Hugging him tightly, he quickly got over his shock and hugged me back.

"Where have you been Uncle Mooney?" my voice wavered

"Here in England and other whereabouts…..Where did Albus send you?"

"Atlanta, GA. It's where my grandparents took my mother when she left me with daddy." I told him sniffling. I couldn't believe was here and Harry hadn't told me! But of course, I'm sure he didn't know the connection our esteemed Professor had with us.

"I see. And you didn't like it there, I presume?" he chuckled when I vehemently shook my head.

"Not in the least. I hated it. I counted the days down until I could move back." I told him, then looked at him. I mean really looked at him. "How are you Uncle Mooney?"

"You know you can't call me that in front of students. None of them know….." he warned. I knew he was talking about his werewolf status.

"I know, but don't expect me to call you Professor Lupin in private! You are and always will be my Uncle." I told him confidently but with a teasingly warning. His smile didn't reach his eyes but it was smile nonetheless.

"Well I've got to go. I will see you around." I told him realizing I would be late to Potions. After Snape had realized who I was, he publically let me know that he detested my dad and was hell bent on trying to figure out how I managed to make the grade to get into his NEWT level Potions class.

Uncle Mooney nodded and released the spells. Grabbing my bag, I turned away from him and headed to the door. Grasping the handle, I twisted the knob. Before I left I turned around, "I've missed you Uncle Mooney…" With that I left and rushed toward the Dungeons to Potions.

That day had been a revelation for me. I remember insisting on him telling Harry that he was family but he said he wasn't ready for it. I was, that's for damn sure. I went so long without a real loving family that I was aching for it. Trust me, to say the least, I wasn't not on his favorites list-even though I was well equipped in the classroom.

The next Hogsmeade trip was this coming Saturday and I couldn't wait to see Harry. Yes, we had the journal but nothing is better than holding the person you care about. I was just hoping that he could get the time off. With his undecided future, he was forced to attend much of the Royal functions that the Queen could get him into. It wasn't a matter of exploiting him to the various females as much as it was keeping him busy. I knew for a fact that he wished to join the Auror Academy. He had the NEWTS for it. Even William had expressed it, but for the sake of things, the Queen wished them to stay in the Muggle world as often as they could.

This would be Harry's first trip to Hogsmeade and I knew he was glad for the signed permission form from me. He had thanked me several times already. With me being here he seemed to flourish a little more than from what I heard. I hadn't told him but the past weekend I had been at The Yandel, Xander firm-they were by far one the best full service law firms that catered not only to the Magical but the Muggle worlds as well. Since Dumbledore knew I would be in and out of Hogwarts on the weekends for a while, I was trying to get a lead on how to fix the Sirius Black issue.

I wanted my Godfather exonerated. Or at least his case reopened and a trial set. Surely, I could have went to the Ministry or the DMLE, but I was for certain I would be hit with dodgey politicians who cared less about an innocent man locked away in Azkaban for over a decade. So, my obvious choice was to find a suitable solicitor. This is where my lovely 'boyfriend' came in handy. I asked him who could do the job and he gave me a very small list to choose from. When I mean small, I mean one.

The Yandel, Xander firm-It was founded in 1902 by Braylon Yandel, a Hufflepuff graduate in 1899. He was one of the few-at the time who managed to escape the Second Boer War and found himself as a struggling Wizarding lawyer. After the war ended, the influx of soldiers came home and picked up where they left off. This is where Draven Xander, my solicitor came into play. They co-founded the firm and now worked in the best circles of law firms.

Which is why when I set up the meeting, I was wholly unprepared for the organized and detailed way they handled their work. With Harry's help, we were able to obtain a duplicate of Sirius's case and handed it over. Draven Xander, who read over the file was incensed at the thought of a fellow wizard never receiving a proper trial.

"We'll start the paperwork to help you exonerate him. How this man was treated is deplorable! You might want to go into Gringotts to find out anything you can about his estates as well." Draven had told Harry and I. We nodded and left immediately.

This led to a long afternoon of sneaking away to Kensington-where his brother and girlfriend weren't around. I promise we still got on about the Gringotts issue. This was something I wasn't ready to tell my brother about. I didn't want to get any hopes up. Even in our weekly meetings, I told him in detail about how much of a wonderful man Sirius was. Even as far as back when he and dad were in school. Hoping that I could impress upon my brother how much the media had it all wrong.

Thankfully, my tactic was working. He believed me and now saw different. However, I told him to keep up the act around the Professor's. Didn't need them crawling my ass about it. He readily agreed. Even Hermione and Ron came around to the idea that Sirius was innocent.

Another thing I was hiding from my brother were the trips to Gringotts to talk to the Property manager. I needed a list of all the estates that were in Potter name. When he sent me a complete list, I was bowled over at the number of properties we owned. It would take me days to check out all the listings. I had to choose fast because soon Christmas was approaching and I was determined to not spend it at Hogwarts.

During one of our talks, I learned that Harry had inherited dad's old invisibility cloak. I was immediately jealous of him. It was something that was dead useful. He had no idea how much trouble he could get into with it. Of course, when I wheedled it out of him, he had indeed learned of its valuable uses.

"Alyssa? Where are you?" I heard my name being called. Turning around from my hiding spot, I saw Harry and his friends coming my way. It seemed like they needed to ask me something. Dear Merlin, now what?

"Right here!" I called coming out from the other side of the tree. Catching a glimpse of their faces, I knew that something wasn't right. "What happened?"

"Well you know how you said that you had a jinx put on your journal as well as your trunk?" Harry asked me.

"Yea…." I instantly didn't like where this was going.

"Some girl, Agatha Miller, apparently became to curious about what you were writing about all the time and trying reading your journal." Hermione quipped. My eyes narrowed and I felt a hum trace around my fingers.

This. This is why I don't let people close to me.

"Great Merlin's balls...don't people have any respect for privacy!?" I stormed. Clenching my jaw, I counted to ten slowly in my head. "Where is she right now?"

"Don't know. I saw her running out of the Common Room…."

Growling, I grabbed my wand, "Accio Marauders Map".

"What's….that?" Harry asked me. I promptly ignored him. I stood there and waited for a minute before casting the spell again. This time it worked. I knew my Summoning spells were decent, but geez-twice?

Landing promptly in my hand, I opened it up still ignoring my brother who had came up beside me to peer at the parchment. "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good". I said. I heard gasps around me while the parchment filled with ink. A map of Hogwarts came to life before me. Looking over the map, I searched for Agatha Miller. Furiously looking over the map, I finally spotted her running toward the Hospital Wing.

"Mischief Managed." I quickly said before I rushed off leaving my things. I would come back and get them later.

"What was that?" Harry asked looking at his friends.

"Dunno, but that is more dead useful that her journal thingy." Ron said watching Alyssa run off.

"Wonder what she's going to do about Agatha?" Hermione mused looking at me.

"Not a clue. Probably hex her into next week if the charm hasn't already gotten her." I told them. Looking around, I saw she had left her things. Gathering them, I saw a Muggle device sitting on top of her satchel.

"What's that?" Ron asked pointing to it.

"That is a muggle music player. I wonder how she got it work at Hogwarts?" Hermione explained. I shrugged and tossed it in her bag.

"Yea, but what does it do?" Ron asked.

"You download music onto it and it plays it back to you." she explained again. Looking at Ron, I noticed he was lost. "Nevermind…." she sighed.

Dragging her things back to the Common Room, Hermione took Alyssa's things to her bed. Coming back down, I wondered what was taking so long.

Hogwarts Infirmary

"Miss Potter what in Merlin's name are you doing here?" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed.

"Where is she?" I demanded.

"Where's who?"

"Agatha Miller." I said barely looking at Madam Pomfrey. I was enraged. After telling everyone I jinxed my possessions….

"You will do nothing to Miss Miller…" I heard the Headmaster say. I watched as he came into the infirmary.

"She invaded my personal property. I specifically told all the girls that my things have a jinx on them." I said hotly.

"Be that as it may. You will do nothing to her." he reaffirmed.

"Then the jinx can stay with her until you let me near her to fix it." I replied ignoring him.

"I'm sure Madam Pomfrey can fix this little jinx. And besides Miss Potter, I would appreciate if you took the jinxs and safety wards off your trunk. Occasionally, we professors, have to check for contraband material."

"I have no problem for my Head of House to check my trunk. But I will not do it so some nosy sixth year can poke her nose into my things. My things are private and for my eyes only."

"Ah yes, I see. The secrets that you keep hidden from everyone. Including your brother…" he implied. I felt a gentle probe at the curls of my mind. Oooh! I hate you so much right now…..

"Professor, if I were you, I would stop trying to read my mind….It's very rude." I seethed.

"I'm not aware of what you're talking about Miss Potter. Surely that wasn't me." he proclaimed. I didn't believe him. However, I didn't know that Snape was in the room with us. Another probe touched my mind, I grabbed ahold of it and felt it struggle for a few seconds. It stretched and stretched until I let go sending whomever it was back in their own mind. Hope you like dreamless sleep potion, I thought. Somewhere by Madam Pomfrey's door we heard a thud.

"Well whoever it was just triggered one of my own wards."

"You're an accomplished Occlumens?" he asked astonished.

"Yes, I am. There are plenty of things I haven't disclosed to people. Like the Headmaster, or my Professors. Not even my brother knows everything."

"But I'm sure someone knows, don't they?" he questioned leering at me.

I refused to answer. Suddenly we heard crying and both of us turned around to see a sniffling Agatha. She was covered in boils and all her hair was gone. Across her forehead was the word "SNOOP" etched elegantly.

Madam Pomfrey bustled in. "I swear, I've tried several ways to remove them and make her hair grow but nothing has worked."

"Told you so." I looked from the Headmaster to Agatha. "You were caught snooping in my private things now you pay the price." I said walking away from her and I intended to let her roam around the school for the allotted one hour before it lifted. Of course, what the Headmaster didn't know was that once she was branded a snoop and apologize the jinx would cancel itself.

"Miss Potter, I demanded you remove this jinx on Miss Miller or I revoke your Hogsmeade trip this weekend." the Headmaster threatened. I turned slowly on my heel and stared at him.

"You wouldn't?" I rounded on him. He and I were not going to be friends.

"I most certain will. Now fix this."

"Can't. She will wander the halls for an hour and has to apologize for being a snoop before the jinx will cancel itself. I have no power to remove it. Just how to end it." I said simply.

"I'm...sorry I snooped in your things. I was curious about what you were writing all the time. You're so secretive. The girls were wondering if you were writing about a crush. We just want to get to know you." she cried.

"Apology accepted. However, if you want to know more about; ask me! Do not snoop into my private things again." I said firmly. The girl nodded her head vigorously. "Now she has to wait an hour before it wears off. If you don't show yourself in public, then it stays on longer." the Headmaster began to protest, but I held my hand up to stop him. "I'm sorry but this is how the spell was designed. If you want it gone now, I'd have to call in the one who invented it and I'm dead sure he can't get away from prior engagements…"

"Might you tell me who invented it?" Albus asked with a hint of anger. Mostly at my refusal to remove it.

"William Welsh." I said before storming out of the Infirmary.

Manipulations….

"William Welsh….he was a student here wasn't he?" Madam Pomfrey asked looking toward Albus.

"Yes, as a matter of fact he was. I'm not surprised you didn't see him. He and his brother were fine students here, but never played Quidditch. I wasn't aware he was capable of such spellwork." Albus mused.

"Well then Miss Miller, you'll have to wait it out, I suppose." Madam Pomfrey said.

Fuming, I left the Infirmary. That damned Potter girl! She was a decided nuisance to Hogwarts. I shouldn't have let her enroll, but then she threatened to take Harry Potter from the school and I knew I couldn't let her do that. He was suppose to come to me for guidance; not her. I'm sure once he got his fill of her, he'd come back to me.

Of course, from my observations, she had wrapped herself close around him. I could tell I was up against an adversary. Coming toward me was Severus. He looked frightfully angry. Following me silently toward my office, I barely closed the door when he started.

"That damned girl had wards up like I've never seen. I couldn't even penetrate. I had to cast the spell twice to make sure it was working! She's as bad as that Potter brother of hers. Always romping around this school like they own it." Severus growled. "And now I have one hell of a headache."

"Yes, I became aware of that when she kept smiling at me. She's powerful and I'm assuming she is going to teach young Mr. Potter how to defend himself."

"Isn't that your job?" Severus sneered.

"Indeed it is."

"Then get rid of her." he demanded.

"I'm afraid I cannot Severus. If I expel her, she'll yank Mr Potter out of Hogwarts and I'm sure Miss Granger will go with them." I told him carefully. I couldn't let her take him. He was supposed to take down Voldemort one day….then I would step in and take his place as still the "Most feared wizard' of all.

"We'll think of something...Now what about this Black business? Have you any word about his whereabouts?"

"None, yet. Wherever he is, he's hiding well." Severus sneered. "What do you want him anyway?"

"If I can capture him, I can persuade him anyway I need him too. Including feeding Mr. Potter whatever he thinks he needs to hear."

Severus nodded and grumbled about grading papers. Leaving me alone in my office, I sat back and thought about my next approach.