Chapter 2

The Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw

Four days after her return to Lupin's house, Judy stood in the small vegetable garden beside the cottage where she and Lupin lived. She watered the almost withering tomatoes and green beans. For as long as she could remember she had tended to the vegetable patch beside the small house. This summer however, Judy hadn't taken very good care of her plants. With the full moon affecting Lupin more than it had in years and his wish for her to stay with Willow during several periods, she didn't have much time to spare to tend to the garden. Playing Quidditch with her two best mates wasn't contributing in a positive way either.

Judy walked over to the dark wooden fence and leaned on her elbows as she looked over the vast field in front of her. There weren't any houses around them for miles. For as long as she could remember she had lived here with Lupin. Far outside of London where Willow lived with her parents…far away from questioning eyes and disapproving looks at Lupin's shabby appearance and pale features.

The sun still stood low in the sky, though it was almost noon. Judy savoured the sunrays touching her skin, allowing them to warm her from both without as within. She sighed as she looked at the grass before her, overgrown with weeds. It reminded her of the Burrow's garden, overgrown and at the same time the most beautiful garden she had ever seen.

Judy looked at the large oak tree, just behind the fence. Some of its leaves were already turning yellow and orange among a mass of bright green. She couldn't help but think of the orchard in which she had flown a few days before…and the man she had flown alongside. For a moment she felt the happiest she had ever felt in her life, the next second her heart plummeted as she thought of how surreal her thoughts were.

Charlie Weasley had cast her a few smiles, and though the mere thought of those smiles was enough to make her blush, she knew deep down that a smile really said nothing. He had welcomed her as a friend of Fred and George and wouldn't think anything more or less of her. But despite those real thoughts, she couldn't help but dream, as she looked up at the bright blue sky.

'Judy?' she turned as Remus walked up to her.

'Yes?' Her heart felt lighter as she noticed how the colour had returned to his face. He even hadn't brought his cane with him. She couldn't remember a time when he had had a faster recovery from a full moon.

'I made us some soup for lunch,' said Lupin, looking past her at the field and he took a deep breath. 'It's a lovely day, isn't it?'

'Yes, it is,' Judy smiled at him. 'I don't think we'll be getting much of those this year,' said Judy apologetically as she looked at the small patch of vegetables. Lupin turned to follow her gaze. 'I haven't really tended to the plants well enough.'

'That's all right,' said Lupin with a small smile. 'We'll make do.'

Judy smiled back at him, thinking on the many times when they had had a lack of something and Lupin had said exactly the same. He'd never been wrong. The young witch preceded Lupin inside the small cottage and walked to the kitchen. Lupin sat down at the already set table where steam rose from two identical dark bowls opposite each other.

'It smells good,' said Judy as she washed her hands. Lupin smiled at her as she sat down opposite him.

'So,' said Lupin. 'Have you got any other plans for today besides working in the garden?'

'Not really. I thought I might reread some of last year's books. You know, to refresh my memory.'

'I see,' said Lupin, not hiding his concern about her preference for solitude. 'How about you invite Willow over?'

'She's going on holiday to Ireland tomorrow. I think she'll be too busy packing,' said Judy honestly. 'Don't worry about me Remus, I'll be fine. You know me.'

'What about Fred and George?' asked Lupin quickly.

'What about us?' Both Lupin and Judy jerked their heads to the direction of the familiar voices. The fireplace.

Judy took a deep breath in an effort to slow down her heart rate as she walked over to the hearth. 'Why, you two…'

'I think we scared her,' said Fred through a curtain of flames.

'Serves her right,' said George, whose head was visible beside Fred's. 'She was talking about us behind our backs.'

'That's only because she can't get enough of us,' said Fred with a grin.

'Yes, I suppose we can't blame her,-'

'You two finished?' asked Judy, looking down on them with her hands on her hips. 'Now the next time you give me a heart attack,-'

'Ah, come on Jude,' said Fred. 'We didn't mean to scare you.'

'Yes,' agreed George, 'we only wanted to surprise you.'

'And we succeeded,' added Fred, looking up at her.

'Yes, you did,' said Judy more softly, never being able to stay angry with the twins for a long time. 'So, to what do I owe this pleasure?'

'Quidditch!' said the twins together. Judy's heart leapt.

'Guys-' said Judy gently.

'What do you mean Quidditch?' asked Lupin interested.

'Well sir, you see,' said Fred in the most polite voice Judy had ever heard him take on. 'Judy owes us a Quidditch match.'

'With your permission of course,' added George quickly.

'Wait a minute, I don't owe you a Quidditch match…' said Judy.

'Sounds like fun,' cut Lupin across her. 'And the weather conditions couldn't be more perfect.'

'Exactly, sir,' said Fred. 'So you see why she can't refuse.'

'Absolutely,' agreed Lupin.

'You know, you're as bad as they are,' said Judy as she met Lupin's eyes. The smile on his face caused her own lips to curl up as well.

'Come on Byrne,' said Fred.

'Fine. Ten minutes,' said Judy, looking down on him. 'And you both owe me after this one.'

'Great, we'll tell Charlie you're coming,' said George with a sparkle in his eyes that made Judy blush.

'All right, bye,' said Judy quickly, trying to prevent any other comments to reach Lupin's ears.

'Bye Jude,' said the twins in unison and their heads spun out of sight.

'Can you believe those two?' laughed Judy, turning back to Lupin and seeing him smile at her. 'What?'

'Nothing,' he shook his head, the smile didn't fade.

Judy walked past him and squeezed his shoulder gently, knowing he was happy that she would be spending the day with friends. He never liked seeing her alone. Judy thought his own life of solitude drove him to spare her from such a life.

She rushed up the stairs and into her room, where she stopped dead next to her bed. Her black cat Duncan lay sprawled on her bedspread, he looked at her lazily before stretching his limbs and trying to get back to sleep. The young woman smiled and searched the pile of clothes at the end. She looked up as a ray of sunlight fell through her orange curtains, bathing her navy blue walls in a warm glow. She had changed her old yellow walls to the Ravenclaw colours as soon as she had come back from her first year at Hogwarts.

Judy picked a battered pair of baggy jeans from the pile and quickly slipped into an old shirt of the Irish Quidditch team. She took a small black hair band to fasten the long black braid which she had made, again in record time. She rushed down the stairs again, grabbing an old pair of blue sneakers on her way down. She dropped them to the ground next to the kitchen table and quickly slipped in to them.

'There,' she cast her long black braid back over her shoulder. 'I should be back in a couple of hours.'

'You take all the time you need,' said Lupin with a grin. 'I may go for a walk outside myself. The sun should do me good,' he said brightly.

'You should do that,' said Judy, happy to see her uncle in such a good mood. 'I'll see you later,' Judy kissed his cheek and walked to the hearth. She took a handful of Floo Powder and cast it down as she called the name of her destination. 'The Burrow!'

Within a few seconds she spun around in the big hearth in the Weasley's living room. She took her time clapping the sooth of her clothes before stepping into the room. The sunrays falling through the colourful curtains, made the room look even warmer than a few days ago.

'Fred?' asked Judy hesitantly, the living room seemed to be deserted. 'George?'

'They're upstairs,' her heart leapt at the sound of the deep voice behind her, 'they should be ready in a minute.'

Judy turned around to meet Charlie's eyes. 'Well, I'll just wait here then.'

'It's real nice of you to fill in for Ron,' said Charlie, smiling.

'That's what friends are for, right?' offered Judy, not meeting his eyes, because she already felt her cheeks growing warm.

'Yes,' said Charlie softly. 'Listen, can I get you anything? Pumpkin juice or,-'

'No, I'm fine,' said Judy, wishing the twins would come rushing down the stairs before she would say anything stupid.

'So…' said Charlie somewhat hesitantly. It struck Judy as odd to see a big guy as him insecure. 'You support the Irish?' He looked at her shirt.

'Best ones out there, aren't they?' said Judy with a smile. 'Though the Bulgarians aren't bad either. But that's only because they got Krum. I think the Irish can beat them.'

'Well, they're both doing well in the qualification rounds. May be they'll have to play each other in the World Cup next year. Then you'll see whether you're right or not.'

'May be,' smiled Judy, feeling more relaxed than before. She'd so far managed to talk to Charlie alone without making a fool of herself as she usually did with guys.

'Oy Charlie, not intimidating my team mate, are you?' Fred leapt down the last few steps.

'Your team mate?' asked Charlie. 'I don't believe we've picked teams yet.'

'Oh, you want to team up with her then?' asked Fred with a smile.

'You can't be that desperate to lose,' said George, walking down the stairs. 'Fred and I together are unbeatable you know.'

'Unbeatable?' Charlie arched a brow.

'Unbeatable,' agreed Fred with a grin.

'We'll see about that, won't we Judy?' said Charlie, casting her a smile which made her heart leap.

'All right, come on then,' said Fred quickly. 'You two,' he looked at Judy and Charlie, 'against us.'

Judy followed the Weasleys outside, not at all bothered by the fact that no one had asked her opinion.

Thirty minutes later they soared around the small pitch trying to throw the Quaffle through each other's hoops. Fred gave George a hive five as they scored their third goal. Judy and Charlie had managed to score three as well.

'Sorry,' said Judy, throwing the Quaffle to Charlie.

'Don't worry,' Charlie cast her a smile. 'We'll beat them. Come on.' Judy followed him as he flew toward the twins' goalposts, staying a little behind in case Fred or George managed to take the Quaffle.

'Remember our first game against Hufflepuff?' called Fred to George.

'I'm right behind you!' called George, following his twin brother.

Judy's mind was racing. Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff…first game in her third year. She looked at Fred and George and recognized the way they were flying toward their brother. It was the same attack two of Hufflepuff's chasers had made on Angelina Johnston. Wood had been free, if only she had thrown the Quaffle toward him….Judy took a deep breath.

'Charlie! Throw it to me!' called Judy. Charlie threw her the Quaffle only a second before Fred made to grasp it from his hands. Judy caught it, flew to the unguarded hoops and threw the ball through the middle one.

'Four to three, boys!' grinned Judy as she flew past Fred.

'She knows too much about this game,' muttered George to Fred as Judy flew back toward her own goal hoops. Judy smiled as Charlie reached her side and hovered beside her.

'Good one, Byrne,' said Charlie approvingly. 'I didn't see that one coming.'

'You were busy looking for the Snitch during your games. I've seen them all from the sideline, I know their moves as long as they say them out loud,' explained Judy. 'They're coming again.' Fred and George flew toward them.

'One more goal and we win,' said Charlie, flying forward to meet the twins. Judy followed him, lagging more behind than before. Fred and George were flying fast.

'Slytherin versus Hufflepuff, third year!' said George to Fred. Judy dug into her memories again. George and Fred's third year, would be her fourth…it was the fourth game of the season…it was late winter, early spring and…she had the flu. Her heart sank, she had no idea what was coming.

Charlie flew to Fred, who was holding the Quaffle. He made to grasp it from his younger brother's reach, but just as he moved Fred threw the Quaffle high in the air toward George. The other twin caught it and sped up as he flew toward Judy. Charlie tried but couldn't keep up.

Judy took a deep breath, her eyes on George speeding toward her. A movement in the corner of her eye told her Fred was on her left. George threw the Quaffle to Fred, Judy turned around to face him. He quickly threw the Quaffle toward her, but before she could catch it, it slightly changed direction. George caught it and threw it through the free right hoop.

'Can't know them all, Jude,' said Fred, flying back to his own half. Judy cast him a small smile. Neither can you, she thought amused.

Charlie flew toward her. 'I'm sorry, I-'

'Charlie, Slytherin versus Gryffindor. Your seventh year. Wood and Johnston fooled that Slytherin chaser about ten minutes before you caught the Snitch,' whispered Judy.

'I remember that, I saw that because it was right after Alicia Spinnet was hit by that Bludger. It distracted me from the Snitch, because her nose was bleeding so badly…'

'Good, you're Wood and I'm Johnston, all right?' She took the Quaffle from him.

'But won't Fred and George know…'

'They were in detention with Filch during that game,' smiled Judy. Charlie grinned at her. Judy recalled how two Gryffindors, whose name she couldn't even remember, had substituted for the twins. Slytherin won, despite some good attacks from Gryffindor. Of which one she would use against the twins now.

Judy flew toward the twins. Charlie was a few meters behind her. The twins acted as expected and flew toward Judy, who threw the Quaffle to Charlie behind her. Fred continued covering her as George flew to Charlie. The latter sped up, passed George and headed for Fred.

Fred turned his gaze toward Charlie and flew back to the hoops. George turned and speeded toward his twin. Charlie was being cornered by his younger brothers as he flew forward toward the hoops. He threw the Quaffle toward Judy. She only had to catch the ball and throw it straight ahead through the free right hoop.

Judy saw too late that Charlie's aim had been a little off and he had thrown the Quaffle too far ahead. She sped up in an effort to still catch it, her eyes fixed on Fred who had just noticed her. It was too late, if she could reach the Quaffle, Fred would never be able to stop her and…CRASH.

'You boys should have been more careful!' Mrs. Weasley's voice seemed to echo through Judy's head.

'We were, Mum!' said Fred. 'She flew into the goalpost. There was nothing we could do!'

Judy opened her eyes, the sunlight nearly blinding her. George looked down at her, more worried than she had ever seen him. She wasn't outside anymore. She recognized the living room of the Burrow. The hearth stood opposite her and she realized she was lying on something soft, a sofa.

'Did we win?' asked Judy hoarsely, adding a smile to make him feel more at ease.

'Yes, you won,' smiled George.

'Is she awake?' Fred appeared next to him within a heartbeat. 'Are you all right?'

'I think I'm,' she tried to sit up but stopped as her head swam with dizziness, 'OK, may be fine is an overstatement.'

'Come on, give her some room,' said Mrs. Weasley sternly. 'How are you feeling, dear?'

'Dizzy,' she said honestly. 'What exactly happened?'

'You flew into the goalpost,' said George, 'you were too taken up by Fred to see where you were headed. Which is quite understandable of course,-'

'George!' scolded Mrs. Weasley.

Judy laughed, which caused her dizziness to worsen again. 'Oh, that wasn't a good idea.' She put her hand on her forehead and felt a large lump above her right eye.

'Can't you do anything about it, Mum?' asked Fred worried.

'I think I've got something in my healing spell book,' said Mrs. Weasley as she got to her feet and went up the stairs.

'We're really sorry, Jude,' said Fred.

'Don't worry about it,' said Judy honestly. 'I'm just glad we won,' she paused, 'where's Charlie anyway?'

'Outside,' said Fred bitterly.

'And as far as I'm concerned he can stay there,' added George sourly.

'Why? What's happened?'

'Went totally mad when you fell to the ground. Said it was all our fault, which isn't exactly fair…I mean, there was nothing we could have done, right?' asked Fred.

'Right,' said Judy truthfully. 'You can't help I'm totally smitten with you and forget to pay attention to what's in front of me.' Fred laughed.

'Good to see that blow didn't affect your sense of humour,' he said with a grin.

'Is she awake?' asked Charlie as Judy heard the kitchen door fall shut.

'Yeah, she's awake,' said George coldly.

'And she doesn't blame us for anything,' added Fred.

'How are you?' asked Charlie, ignoring his brothers' remarks.

'I'm fine,' said Judy, noticing the same look in Charlie's eyes as she had seen in George's when she woke. 'I heard we won.'

'Yes, we did,' said Charlie absently. 'You sure you're all right?'

'Just a bit dizzy…well and then there's this of course,' said Judy, pointing to the lump above her eye. 'It was my own fault, Charlie,' she added, 'there was nothing any of you could have done. I just should have looked ahead.'

'Yes well, I threw the Quaffle too far ahead…'

'Come on Charlie, it's Quidditch,' said Judy amused, 'there's always a chance of getting hurt. At least I wasn't out for a week like Wood after his first match.'

'How do you expect her to feel better if you won't give her any room to breathe!' shouted Mrs. Weasley as she walked toward them. 'Now, out with all of you. I need to concentrate, it's quite a complex spell and I don't want any of you joking around while I'm performing it.'

Judy watched after the three Weasleys as they left through the kitchen door. Charlie cast her a short glance before following the twins outside. Something about the way he looked at her made her heart beat twice as fast. Judy took a deep breath and sighed. This wasn't happening…she must have had a real hard blow to her head…she was definitely imagining things.

Judy fell asleep after Mrs. Weasley had performed the spell on her and when she woke again she noticed by the light outside that the sun was starting to set. The house was now filled with smells of spices, warm meat, potatoes and a mixture of vegetables that Judy couldn't quite place. She sat up with a jerk as she realized it was dinner time now.

'Mrs. Weasley?' she got to her feet and walked toward the kitchen.

'Ah, awoke just in time for dinner?' asked Fred as he walked up from behind her. Judy heard another pair of feet rush down the stairs.

'Have to admire her timing,' said George, walking up to her as well.

'Listen, did any of you think to let my uncle know what happened?' asked Judy. 'He'll be worried sick if he doesn't,-'

'Don't worry, dear,' said Mrs. Weasley warmly from behind her. Judy turned on her heel. 'Your uncle knows everything and we've agreed that you go home right after you've had a decent meal.'

'Yes, we can't let you spin around past all those hearths without a decent meal,' said Fred. 'You'll undo mum's healing spell and go all dizzy again.'

'And that would be no way to repay our mother for her efforts,' said George sternly.

'You two are just-' Judy sighed and rolled her eyes.

'Evening, Weasleys.' Mr. Weasley entered the kitchen. He was a small balding man, though the hair he still had was as flaming red as that of the rest of the family. Judy remembered the twins telling her once that he worked at the Ministry of Magic.

'Hi, Dad,' said the twins in unison.

'I see I'm right on time for dinner,' said Mr. Weasley. He walked toward the kitchen sink and gave Mrs. Weasley a kiss.

'More in time than your other three sons and your daughter,' said Mrs. Weasley. 'Fred, you did tell them to come down-'

'We're here,' said Ginny brightly. Percy walked behind her, followed by Ron in his robe and Charlie at the back. 'We had to drag Ron out of bed…'

'Well, I am sick,' said Ron defensively.

'You haven't had a fever in two days…' said Ginny. 'You're not sick anymore, just lazy.'

'Or too scared to face us at Quidditch,' grinned Fred. Ron's ears went red as he walked toward the kitchen. He stopped in front of Judy.

'You ehm…' he paused, 'you must be Judy.'

'Yes, it's nice to meet you Ronald,' said Judy with a smile. 'I hope you're feeling better.'

'Yes well, a bit,' he said in a serious tone.

'Good, then you can replace Judy tomorrow…' said George amused.

'Yes…ehm…we'll see.' Ron quickly walked toward the kitchen table and took a seat.

'Good,' said Mrs. Weasley. 'Now that everybody is here, we can finally have dinner.'

'I'll help you with that, Mrs. Weasley.' Judy quickly walked to the kitchen sink and took a large bowl filled with potatoes.

'Thank you, dear.' Mrs. Weasley smiled at her. Judy put the bowl on the kitchen table. She turned and startled as she faced Mr. Weasley.

'I don't believe we have been properly introduced yet,' he smiled at her and held out his hand. 'Arthur Weasley.'

'Judy Byrne,' said Judy taking his hand, 'it's nice to meet you, Mr. Weasley.'

'You too,' smiled Mr. Weasley. 'Heard all about you from Fred and George of course. One of their biggest fans, if I recall correctly.' Judy looked at the twins, both grinning up at her.

'They're not too bad,' offered Judy.

'Not too bad?' asked George. Judy turned to the stove again, took a bowl of green beans and put it down next to the potatoes.

'That's what I said,' said Judy.

'But we're unbeatable,' said Fred in protest.

'Not after today,' said Charlie, exchanging a smile with Judy.

'You two beat them at Quidditch?' laughed Ginny. 'I didn't know you were that good at Quidditch, Judy.'

'We just got lucky,' said Judy honestly.

'We'll want a rematch,' said Fred, looking at her as she sat down opposite him. Charlie sat down next to her…she was just imagining things, she thought quickly.

'Any time,' smiled Judy.

'Yes, but not at dinner,' interjected Mrs. Weasley. 'I've heard enough about Quidditch for one day.'

'How can you ever hear enough about Quidditch?' asked Fred. Mrs. Weasley looked at him sternly. Judy hid her smile as she pretended to rearrange her cutlery.

'Well, then if Quidditch is off the table, I have got some news for you,' said Mr. Weasley. 'I met a representative of the Daily Prophet at work today.' All of the Weasleys seemed to hold their breath. Judy could see by the look in Mr. Weasley's eyes were the announcement was going. 'He informed me that we won the Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw.' There were cheers all around the table and Judy couldn't help but feel excited for the Weasleys. She couldn't think of any other family who deserved such a prize more.

'Seven hundred galleons!' said Ron, who sat on Judy's left. 'That's a fortune, Dad. What are you going to do with it?'

'Well, your mum and I have been speculating about what to do with the money if we won…'

'Oh Arthur, really?' asked Mrs. Weasley excitedly.

'We're all going to Egypt,' said Mr. Weasley with a broad grin.

'Egypt!' said the twins in unison.

'Egypt!' said Percy. 'I can't wait to see the pyramids. Oh and runes, may be I can do an assignment for Ancient Runes there for extra credit…'

'Runes?' George arched a brow.

'Pyramids?' asked Fred. 'I can't wait to see the mummies and the curses they've put on those tombs.'

'I bet Bill can tell us all about those when we're there,' said Ginny with a smile. She was obviously excited to see her eldest brother again.

'It'll be so nice to go on holiday with the entire family,' Mrs. Weasley beamed. Judy knew the Weasleys never had much money to spare. She couldn't help but feel happy for all of them to go on holiday. As a family. She thought on Remus, sitting at home on his own. With the Weasleys going to Egypt and Willow going to Ireland, she would have no choice but to spend the rest of the summer with her uncle, for which she was grateful.

They spent the rest of dinner talking about Egypt and its mysteries. Fred, George, Ron and Ginny couldn't stop talking about the curses they'd heard about in History of Magic and wondered if they were able to visit any of the pyramids Professor Bins had talked about. Percy was busy trying to persuade all of them that Runes were far more interesting than curses, without noticing that nobody was listening to him. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were busy persuading Charlie to take some more time off work and join them. By the look in Charlie's eyes Judy could see that he didn't need much convincing.

After everybody had finished their meal, Judy helped Ginny and the twins clear the table. By the time they finished, the sun had already set outside and Judy couldn't wait to go home to see Lupin again. Seeing the Weasleys so happy about going on holiday together, had made her realize how little time she had spent with Lupin during the holidays. It was something she definitely wished to catch up on, before going back to Hogwarts and not seeing him again till Christmas.

'Thanks again for dinner, Mrs. Weasley,' said Judy, as she was about to leave.

'No trouble at all, dear,' said Mrs. Weasley warmly. 'I hope to see you again when we return from our holiday.'

'Don't worry Mum, you will,' said Fred. 'We haven't been able to get rid of her for three years.'

'And it can't be blamed on a lack of trying,' added George, rolling his eyes.

'You two never cut her a little slack, do you?' asked Charlie, disapprovingly. 'You know, you-'

'There goes your knight to the rescue again,' George grinned. Judy deliberately evaded Charlie's gaze.

'You two…' said Charlie, fuming. He turned and walked out of the kitchen door.

'Come on, George,' said Judy. 'He didn't deserve that.' She quickly walked through the kitchen to the garden. Charlie walked down the lawn to the orchard. 'Charlie!' She rushed after him. He stopped and turned. Judy stopped in front of him.

'Listen, George didn't…'

'How can you stand up for him like that when he, both of them…' he looked past her at the house.

'Because they're my friends,' said Judy. 'We do this all the time, Charlie. It's just good fun.'

'But they're picking on you…'

'They're teasing me,' Judy corrected him. 'I'll tease them back when all of you return from holiday,' smiled Judy. 'George didn't mean to offend you.'

'I'm not offended, I've known those two longer than you. I just don't think it's right for them to talk to you like that when you just…' He took a deep breath. Judy met his eyes and saw exactly what she had feared.

'Listen, I was stupid enough to fly into that pole. There was nothing you could have done to stop it, any of you.' Judy looked up at him. 'Besides, I'm fine. Safe for this,' she touched the lump on her forehead, 'but I can make a potion at home to help it heal faster. So stop blaming yourself, all right?'

'Yeah, all right,' he shrugged.

'Good. Have a good holiday, Charlie.' He evaded her eyes.

'Yes, thanks,' said Charlie absently. Judy tried to catch his gaze but failed.

'Bye.' Judy turned to walk back up to the house.

'Judy?' asked Charlie hesitantly. The young woman quickly turned back to face him.

'Yes?'

'I hope…I hope I'll see you again sometime.' He cast her a small smile. Judy's heart seemed to stop beating for a second.

'Me too,' she smiled back at him, surprised that the warm feeling she had inside didn't seem to warm her cheeks as well. 'Goodbye.'

'Bye.' Judy turned and walked back up to the house. George and Fred looked up from their conversation as she walked in.

'How is he handling himself?' said George gravely.

'He'll be all right,' said Judy, walking up to them while her mind wandered to the man outside.

'Snogging always cheers him up,' said Fred with a smile.

'Honestly, I just defended you two out there…' Judy rolled her eyes.

'Well, you should have known us better than that,' offered George.

'I suppose you're right,' smiled Judy. 'Listen, I have to go. You two have fun in Egypt, all right. And don't bring me back anything that's cursed…' She walked over to Fred and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

'We'll just send you an owl,' said Fred with a grin as Judy stepped back.

'I'll believe that when I see it…' said Judy, bidding George goodbye in the same way as she had done with Fred. 'Have a good holiday.'

'You too,' George cast her a small smile. 'Jude…do you think Willow would like it if I wrote to her?' He said in a whisper.

'I think you know the answer to that yourself, George.' Judy smiled at him. 'Goodbye.'

Judy stepped into the hearth and took a handful of Floo powder. 'Lupin's house!' She called and threw the Floo powder to the floor. She just heard Fred and George bid her goodbye before spinning around and seeing several hearths fly past her. She landed softly, dust fluttering around her and covering her clothes. Judy coughed twice as she clapped the sooth off her. She stepped into the small living room. The only light came from two lit candles on the kitchen table.

'Remus?' she called.

'Judy?' He rushed into the kitchen and then toward her, Duncan following in his wake.

'Molly told me…oh, that doesn't look good,' he gently touched the bump on her forehead. Judy recoiled.

'It doesn't feel good either,' she explained. 'I'll make something with monkroot, daffodil and a touch of murtlap essence. That should reduce the pain and a bit of the swelling.' Judy squatted to pet Duncan as he rubbed his back against her shins. The black cat purred as she scratched him behind his ears.

'So how did this happen?' asked Lupin gravely. Judy looked at him as she got back up, ignoring Duncan mewing in protest.

'Didn't Mrs. Weasley tell you?' asked Judy as she walked to the kitchen cabinets. 'I flew into a goal post. It was stupid really, I…'

'Are you sure Fred or George didn't hit a Bludger your way?' cut Lupin across her.

'If they had, I would have hit one right back at them,' assured Judy him. 'I was just too focused on the Quaffle to see where I was headed. It was my own fault, Remus.' She said, looking for the ingredients for her potion.

'Well, either way you're not going to play Quidditch anymore this summer,' said Lupin sternly.

'Don't worry, I couldn't play any Quidditch even if I wanted to.' Judy smiled as she turned to face Lupin.

'What do you mean?' asked Lupin confused.

'The Weasleys are going on holiday to Egypt,' explained Judy. 'They won the Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw. I don't expect them to be back until the start of the school year.'

'And Willow won't be back until the last week of August, right?' asked Lupin, sounding a little concerned.

'Right,' Judy surveyed him for a moment. 'I'll be fine, Remus. I've got you and Duncan to spend time with, right?' Lupin smiled at her.

'That's not entirely true,' said Lupin, walking to the mantle piece and picking up an envelope from the dark wood. He walked over to Judy and handed her the already opened envelope. 'It was addressed to the both of us,' said Lupin apologetically.

Judy smiled at him as she took out a piece of parchment. She scanned the few lines written on it in an all too familiar handwriting.

Dear Judy,

How have you been? I feel I owe you an apology for not having written to you for so long. I'm afraid this letter will be short as well, I'm just too busy studying and working at the Ministry. But no worries, we'll have plenty of time to catch up soon. My mum and dad asked me to invite you and Remus over for dinner on your Birthday. I'm sure you'll both accept!

I'll be seeing you soon then.

Many hugs,

Tonks

'You're coming too, right?' asked Judy excitedly, as she looked up at Lupin.

'Only if you want me to,' answered Lupin.

'What?' asked Judy in disbelief. 'Of course I want you to! You're my family too.'

'Then I'll come too,' said Lupin with a small smile.

'Good,' Judy smiled back at him as she put the parchment down on the kitchen counter. 'Now, I'd better get started on that potion…I don't want to explain this bruise to Tonks and have her laugh at me.'

'She wouldn't dare with her mother in the room,' said Lupin reassuringly.

'I think she would,' Judy glanced back at him. Duncan was at her feet again, demanding her attention. Judy looked down at him, making a mental note to spoil him as soon as the potion was done. She owed him that much, having left him behind for so many times during this summer. She looked back up at the cabinets as Lupin spoke again.

'By the way, did you win?'

'Yes,' said Judy, her mind wandering back to a few hours before, back to her team mate, back to the man she said goodbye to in the overgrown garden. Judy couldn't help but smile. 'Yes, we won.'