Author's note: First of all my apologies for this chapter taking four months to write. I've had a very busy few months due to a new job and I had a lot of trouble with writing the chapter, because I wanted to cram way too much stuff into it. I ended up splitting the chapter in two. I'm pleased with how this chapter turned out, I hope you will be too. Thanks for sticking with the story, especially to Katie for always taking the time to comment (on the funfiction boards) and everybody who commented here on . Your feedback really inspires me to keep writing :).

Chapter 10

An (un)Expected Turn of Events

Sirius Black's break in was the most talked about subject among the Hogwarts' students in the week that followed the event. Not only was he mentioned constantly in the hallways, even in classes students could not refrain from whispering the latest rumours.

Judy had heard several second years speculate about Sirius hiding in the Chamber of Secrets, while a few fifth years whispered he was somewhere in the forbidden third floor corridor awaiting a second chance to break into Gryffindor tower. Fred and George particularly enjoyed feeding the rumours and scaring the first years into staying in their common room. Chelsea's younger sister Evelyn for example refused to leave Ravenclaw tower alone; meaning that Chelsea often had to walk her to classes. Something for which she had taken a thorough disliking to the twins.

Not being able to hear any more rumours spread either by the twins or other students, Judy spent most of her spare time in her dormitory. Though she had been intent on using her time studying, she wasn't able to open any of her study books. Sirius was constantly on her mind.

Judy leaned against the wooden pillar of her four poster bed, her legs propped up under her in a lotus position as she listened to the gale outside. Rain lashed against the small windows in the dormitory as the wind howled endlessly. Usually Judy liked the stormy weather; the castle with its many lit fireplaces always had a very warm atmosphere. Now, however, she could only think about the effect the weather had on the escaped prisoner hiding from the Dementors.

Her new sketchbook lay open on her lap, her latest drawing looking up at her; Harry Potter nearly lay flat on his broom as he tried to reach for the Snitch. It was the drawing she promised to make for Ginny. Judy had hoped drawing would help to get her mind of things, but for the past hour she had only looked at the paper, an unused piece of charcoal in her hand.

Duncan lay at the end of her bed, only half toying with his magical bale of wool as he kept his eyes on her. Judy sighed as she put her sketchbook down on the bed and glanced at the pile of books on her nightstand. She laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling; today she found it even harder to concentrate on anything than the entire week combined. She knew all too well why; that night it was going to be a full moon.

She rolled over on her side and looked at the open trunk beside her bed. The Fizzing Whisbees Lupin had asked her to bring back the week before, still lay on top of her books, quill and ink bottles. With everything that had happened, Judy hadn't found the heart to face him outside of classes. She had spent the entire week avoiding him, not able to do what she knew deep down was inevitable; tell him the truth.

Judy pushed aside the candy and school materials and picked up her old sketchbook from the bottom of the trunk. She browsed through many drawings until she reached the last one.

A young Sirius Black looked back at her, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes and a small smile playing across his face. Judy stared at the drawing for what must have been the hundredth time that week. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how long she looked, she could see no resemblance to the man she saw on the marble stairs. And yet, here she was once again, looking at the sketch and hoping she would recognize at least a hint of the young man in the escaped prisoner she saw a week before. Just one little thing to make her feel at ease about hiding the truth from Lupin and Dumbledore. One little thing to justify the hope she still had that her father was innocent.

But there was nothing.

She leaned back against the pillar and stared out of the small window near her bed at the cloudy sky. She bit back the tears threatening to well up in her eyes as Duncan settled on her lap, sensing as well as ever that she needed his closeness.

'Are you all right?' Judy met Willow's eyes, casting her a worried glance from the doorway.

'I'm fine,' said Judy, quickly browsing to another drawing in her sketchbook to hide Sirius' image from her best friend's eyes.

'Yes, I thought so,' said Willow sarcastically as she walked over to her. 'I've never seen you looking better…' Judy couldn't help but smile; the first genuine smile she had had in the past week.

'It's depressing, isn't it?' said Willow, gesturing at the stack of books on Judy's nightstand. She sat down at the foot of the bed and turned her gaze from the pile of books to Judy. 'Are you sure you haven't bitten of more than you can chew?'

'I'm sure,' said Judy honestly. 'Besides, since when did you start worrying about my homework?' she added amused.

'I think it was around the time you stopped…' offered Willow seriously.

'You think I don't care about school anymore?' asked Judy confused.

'Well, I don't know,' said Willow truthfully. 'I mean, you spend almost all your time studying, but you've managed to drop a grade in half your courses…' Judy evaded her eyes, 'and it's been even worse this past week. You haven't done anything safe from drawing in that sketchbook of yours...while your homework is piling up like crazy…'

'I just…I'm having some trouble concentrating,' said Judy softly.

'How come?'

'I don't know.' Judy looked at the sketchbook, a drawing of Fred and George looking back at her.

'Oh no, don't tell me it's because of Fred. Because if you're wasting,-'

'It's not Fred,' said Judy quietly.

'Well, then what…?' Willow's eyes widened as she stared at Judy.

'What?' Judy looked at her apprehensively.

'It's Black, isn't it?' Judy's muscles tensed so much it hurt. She looked back at Willow, unable to say or do anything. Duncan shifted uncomfortably on her lap, sensing her distress.

'Wha…I mean, how…? Judy stuttered.

'So, I'm right?' asked Willow, showing a confusion which Judy couldn't quite place.

'You're worried about Black?'

'I…well…' She couldn't think of anything to say. There was no lie she could come up with to explain her concern about her father. No plausible story but the truth…

'Merlin's bloody beard, Jude!' Willow nearly rolled over with laughter. 'I can understand Chelsea's younger sister believing in Fred and George's rumours, but I never thought you'd fall for them so easily!'

'Rumours…' said Judy softly, trying to relax her muscles gradually, instead of slumping back against the wooden pillar in relief. 'Well,' she said, easily taking over the lie and hating herself for it, 'how do you know they're not true?'

'Oh come off it, Jude,' Willow said amused. 'First of all, we're talking about Fred and George here. Second of all, how in Merlin's name is Sirius Black supposed to get into the Chamber of Secrets?'

'I don't know,' Judy shrugged. 'I mean, if Voldemort can get into Hogwarts…'

'I swear, if you mention his name one more time I'll put a Silencing Charm on you,' said Willow dangerously. She shook off the uncomfortable feeling the name had given her, her long red hair rippling on her back. Judy smiled at her; it never ceased to amaze her how scared people could be of a name.

'Seriously though,' Willow continued, 'Do you really believe Black is still here at Hogwarts?'

'May be not inside the castle,' offered Judy, deciding to reveal a part of her real fear, 'but I think he's close. And he didn't get into Gryffindor tower last time, so he's bound to back…and what'll happen then?'

'Then he'll get chucked back into Azkaban and get the Dementor's kiss,' offered Willow a bit too lightly for Judy's liking.

'He already got past the Dementors once,' retorted Judy, once again speaking her real worries.

'Oh, I'm not talking about him being caught by Dementors…' said Willow mysteriously.

'Then what do you mean?'

'Well,' the red haired Ravenclaw turned back to the dormitory door to make sure it was closed and then said: 'I'm not supposed to tell you this…but after Black's break in the Ministry thought it necessary to heighten security around here.'

'But Dumbledore would never allow more Dementors to,-'

'Not Dementors, Jude,' interrupted Willow. 'Aurors!'

'Aurors?!' asked Judy in disbelief. 'I have never seen any Aurors at Hogwarts…'

'That's because Dumbledore doesn't want the students to know that they are here,' offered Willow. 'He's afraid students will panic if they realise how dangerous the Ministry believes Black to be.'

'But if they're in the castle then students must have seen them…'

'It's unbelievable how much you think like a Muggle at times…' said Willow, shaking her head. 'Do you remember a little thing called a Disillusionment Charm?'

'Hang on, that explains why I saw that first year bumping into something twice yesterday and there wasn't even anything there…'

'Ah yes, he gave my Dad a bruise on his right shin…' said Willow amused.

'That was your Dad?' asked Judy interested.

'He was on guard duty yesterday,' explained Willow. 'There is a different Auror every day, so none of them have to use the Charm for too long. I think that guy with the scars and the magical glass eye is on today…'

'Alastor Moody,' said Judy, thinking. She knew that wherever he went, Tonks was never far behind. And if there was one thing she needed right now it was a talk with someone she trusted more than anyone in the world. 'Who else are there?'

'I don't know,' Willow shrugged. 'My Dad only told me about that Mad Eye guy so I'd stay away from him. Dad doesn't really trust him, I think.' explained Willow. 'But he didn't tell me anything else. He'll be in enough trouble if somebody finds out he told me this much…and even more if anybody knows I told you,' she added meaningfully.

'We're best mates, Will,' offered Judy. 'I'd never tell on you.'

'I know. Just checking. ' Willow smiled at her. 'So, feel like coming down to dinner?'

'I'll just clean this up and meet you in the common room in five,' said Judy, already getting up from the bed. She gathered the pieces of charcoal and put them neatly in a small box. Then she picked up her sketchbooks, turned on her heel and stopped dead as she noticed Willow still standing in the doorway, a serious expression on her face. 'What's wrong, Will?'

'Nothing,' she shook her head as if awakening from a daydream. 'It's just…you know you can tell me everything, right Jude?'

'I know,' Judy forced her lips into a small smile. 'But I'm fine, really. You don't have to worry about me, Willow.'

'Yeah…' Willow said absently before turning on her heel and walking down the spiral stone staircase leading to the common room.

Judy waited till her best friend was out of earshot before she let out a stifled sob. She put her sketchbooks back in her trunk, pushing Lupin's Fizzing Whisbees aside. She sat down on the bed, drew a deep breath and quickly dabbed her watery eyes; there was nothing she hated more than having to lie straight to her best friend's face.

Duncan meowed softly as he rubbed his head against her arm. Judy sighed as she stroked his dark fur. She knew she couldn't take everything on her own much longer. She took a few moments to still her emotions, got to her feet and walked toward the dormitory door. May be she wouldn't have to go through all of it on her own…

'Duncan,' she turned in the doorway. If she was going to go through with her plan, she could use a little hand finding the person she was looking for. 'Mad Eye Moody is in the castle….I think Dora should be somewhere around here too. Keep an eye out for her.' The dark cat blinked twice before leaping off the bed and rushing past her down the stone steps.

Judy straightened her blouse and skirt which were wrinkled because she'd lain on the bed. She took a deep breath before heading down the small staircase and meeting her classmates' gazes with the best smile she could manage.

&

Judy was the first Ravenclaw in the common room the next morning. She hadn't slept during most of the night; nightmares about a werewolf chasing her through the Forbidden Forest had been the cause of that. The guilt she felt about avoiding Lupin all week didn't subside till the first sunrays fell through the window next to her four poster bed, bringing another thought to her mind. A thought which made her leave her bed two hours earlier than usual. One of the most exciting Quidditch matches of the year: Gryffindor versus Slytherin.

Judy zipped up her boots as she sat alone on the blue sofa. She wore the signed Quidditch shirt Willow had given her for her birthday with a green long sleeve shirt underneath. Dark blue skinny jeans and dark green flat boots gave the necessary feminine touch to her look; something which she'd paid more attention to since her relationship with Oliver Wood the year before.

'I thought it was you heading down the stairs early…' Judy turned on the couch, to face the familiar voice. Cho Chang cast Judy a grin as she walked over to her. Cho was a very talented Seeker who played on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. Her long dark hair was a bit shorter than Judy's and coarse as opposed to Judy's wavy hair.

'Had a good night's sleep?' asked Judy amused.

'Better than when it's our game…' said Cho as she let herself fall on the couch. 'You?'

'Some,' Judy shrugged. 'Gryffindor versus Slytherin is always an exciting game.' Cho looked at her, confused.

'Haven't you heard yet? Slytherin is not playing because Malfoy is still having trouble with his arm,' said Cho, not sounding convinced of Draco's injury.

'What?!' exclaimed Judy in disbelief. 'That's absolute rubbish. That happened like two months ago!'

'I know,' said Cho. 'Everybody knows it's rubbish. The only reason they are not playing is because of this awful weather,' she offered, gesturing at the pouring rain.

'Great. Wood must be furious. He's trained his team to play against Slytherin and now...well since you're not playing, I'm guessing they have to play Hufflepuff?' Cho nodded. 'Poor Oliver. His last chance at the Cup and he's off to this start.'

'I know,' agreed Cho. 'I mean, it'll heighten our chances at the Cup, but I'd rather lose than win it this way.'

'Couldn't agree with you more, but I guess there's nothing left for us to do but wait and see what happens...' offered Judy, her uplifted mood dampened somewhat by the news.

'And cheer even louder than usual,' offered Cho with a grin. 'I mean, we'll...hang on, how did you get that?!' Cho looked at Judy's T-shirt with widened eyes. 'Aidan Lynch?!'

'Birthday present from Willow,' said Judy amused. 'Do you like it?'

'Is that a rhetorical question?' asked Cho with an arched brow.

Both girls turned on the sofa as other Ravenclaw students entered the common room. Judy could easily pick out the first years by the sparkle of excitement in their eyes. She could remember all too well how excited she had been in her first year to go see her first Hogwarts Quidditch match.

'I suppose you got another yell prepared?' asked Cho amused.

'I'm afraid I've been too busy with homework to prepare one,' said Judy apologetically. She and Tonks had been infamous among the students for their Quidditch yells. 'I'm sure you won't mind listening to Lee Jordan's comments for a change...if you're able to hear them with that wind howling...'

'There you are!' Both Cho and Judy turned on their seat. Marietta Edgecombe, Cho's best friend, walked up to them. 'Hungry enough for breakfast?'

'Yes, I mean…' Cho looked at Judy, hesitating.

'Don't worry, my friends,-'

'Who's ready to kick some Hufflepuff ass?!' Shania's familiar voice sounded loudly down the stone steps.

'- will be down in a minute…' said Judy, casting Cho a smile.

'See you around, Jude!' Cho waved at her, before following her friend to the door leading to the fifth floor corridor.

'Jude, are you down here?' Judy turned in her seat to look at Shania, who stood at the bottom of the spiral stone staircase. Shania's hair was divided in about a hundred braids, of which some were coloured red and yellow, the colours of Gryffindor. Willow followed in Shania's wake, her red dress and black suede boots were a bit too much for a Quidditch match, but it didn't surprise Judy at all to see her dressed up like that.

'Don't tell me you used magic to make those,' Judy said, gesturing at Shania's red and yellow braids.

'OK, then I won't,' Shania offered with a grin. Abigail snorted loudly as she walked past them. Judy noticed she wore a silver and green band in her hair; despite the fact that Slytherin wouldn't be playing Abigail still wanted to show which House she supported in Quidditch.

'Oh, I'd like to see how condescending she is when Gryffindor wins the Cup,' said Willow annoyed.

'You're a Prefect, Will…' Judy reminded her. 'It's your job to keep hostilities between students to a minimum.' She added meaningfully.

'Well, I am keeping it to a minimum,' said Willow defensively. 'The only hostility I have is toward her…' Both Judy and Shania arched a brow. 'Oh come on, she started it, if she wants to boast about her preference for Slytherin all the time she's just asking for it.'

'Willow!' Penelope walked up to the three of them, fuming. 'A word alone, now!'

&

'You don't suppose Penelope can take away her Prefect badge, do you?' asked Shania as she and Judy descended the marble staircase.

'I think only teachers have that authority,' said Judy truthfully. 'Or may be just Dumbledore.'

'I hope so,' said Shania, 'I don't care how much she says she thinks her responsibilities are annoying, it's going to kill her if they take away her badge...'

'What's going on?' Both girls looked over their shoulder as Aidan caught up with them, followed by Chelsea and Connor. 'We overheard Penelope talking to Willow...'

'More like yelling,' offered Connor.

'Willow made a remark about Abigail,' explained Shania meaningfully, 'Penelope overheard...'

'She'll probably just get a warning,' said Aidan, not sounding worried at all. 'She'll have to do much more to lose her badge...'

'Well, you would know,' offered Shania, 'being the most punished student after them Weasley twins...'

'Guilty as charged,' offered Aidan with a grin as they entered the crowded Great Hall.

All four House tables were lined by students enjoying their breakfast and eagerly discussing that day's Quidditch match. The Hall's ceiling showed an ominous cloudy sky with pouring rain and howling winds.

Judy barely heard Shania's comment about her hair going all frizzy as she noticed Abigail sitting alone at the end of the Ravenclaw table. Judy followed her gaze toward the Slytherin table and noticed Abigail's younger brother Kenneth talking animatedly to his fellow first years. Judy couldn't help but feel sympathy for Abigail. She couldn't imagine how she would feel if she were sorted into a different House than she had wanted to.

'We're going to join her, right?' asked Chelsea hesitantly.

'Of course we are,' said Judy, already walking to the end of the long House table. She could never let her House mate sit alone, knowing how it felt to be an outcast from being brought up by Lupin and having to hide her identity for nearly all her life.

She looked up at the teachers' table, noticing Lupin's empty seat with a pang of guilt. He'd have to be still in bed resting; his transformations always cost most of his energy. Judy didn't expect to see him out and about any time soon; which, to her own dislike, made her feel quite relieved.

They spent most of breakfast discussing the upcoming match. Aidan and Shania seemed to be getting along better than usual; siding for the same team apparently had a good effect on them. Abigail refrained from most of the discussion, since she was the only one who didn't support Gryffindor, and spent her time talking to Chelsea, who wasn't that much into Quidditch anyway.

It wasn't till the end of lunch that Willow joined them. She sat down next to Judy, grabbed a sandwich and didn't say a word of what had been said between her and Penelope.

'Are you OK?' asked Judy in a whisper as their classmates were emerged in their own conversations.

'I'll live,' offered Willow in a would be casual tone. 'She didn't take it...' she added. Judy nodded in understanding, feeling relieved. No matter how casual Willow acted about being a Prefect, Judy knew all too well how much it meant to her.

&

Fifteen minutes later the sixth year Ravenclaws, among a mass of students, hurried through the Hogwarts grounds to the Quidditch stadium. Umbrellas flew past them, separated from their rightful owners by the wind. Judy was glad she'd thought on bringing a poncho with her, which kept her hair and clothing dry. Willow on the other hand wasn't wearing anything against the rain apart from her winter coat. When they finally reached the stadium and halted in the corridor leading to the stands, Willow's long red hair dripped with water and her coat was soaked to her skin.

'You know, you're going to catch pneumonia,' said Judy concerned.

'Forget getting sick,' said Willow, leaning against the wall as her mascara ran down her cheeks. 'I look a mess, don't I?'

Judy sighed. 'Come on,' she pulled Willow with her to a deserted corner.

'Anything I can do?' Shania had followed the pair of them. 'I've asked the others to save us seats.'

'You can keep an eye out,' offered Judy, as she carefully drew out her wand. She cast several Drought Charms on Willow's clothing, boots and hair. She cleaned Willow's face and did a complex Charm which Tonks had taught her, changing Willow's run down make-up back into perfection.

'What do you think, Shania?' asked Judy, making her room mate turn.

'Couldn't have done it better myself,' said Shania with a grin. 'You look stunning, Will.'

'Yeah?' asked Willow, sounding somewhat insecure. 'I mean, do you think-'

'Out of the way, Beaters coming through!'

Judy looked over her shoulder in time to see Fred and George rush toward them through the crowd in the corridor. She startled as she suddenly felt an arm around her waist. Fred stood beside her with a grin.

'Thought you might need this,' said Fred as he handed her his Gryffindor scarf. Judy always borrowed it whenever Gryffindor played; except when they were facing Ravenclaw of course.

'Thanks. Running a bit late, aren't you?' asked Judy truthfully.

'Forgot our clubs,' explained Fred as he held up his.

'And sir Cadogan refused to let us leave the dorm without answering his challenge; our clubs against his sword,' said George, standing beside Willow and clearly not able to take his eyes of her.

'It took us a while to push his portrait out of the way, but here we are,' said Fred with a grin.

'And how come you're here with us, instead of with your team mates?' asked Shania confused.

'Oh well,' said Fred, his expression turning grave. 'Well, as you know Slytherin was too scared to play us, so we're playing Hufflepuff. A totally different opponent, as I am sure you'll agree.' Shania, nodded, looking somewhat confused. 'So,' Fred's gaze turned to Judy. 'We figured we could do with a little kiss for good luck?'

'Oh, you're hopeless,' Judy shook her head in amusement as she looked at his pleading eyes. She sighed, leaned over and kissed his cheek. 'What if you lose?' she asked.

'Then you'll have to kiss me on the lips next time.' Fred laughed as he rushed away from her. Judy looked after him, smiling.

'What about you?' she heard Willow speak in a whisper. George still stood beside her, his ears turning red as he searched for an answer.

'Well, they'll have a better chance with two lucky Beaters than just one,' offered Judy, deciding to lend a helping hand.

'She has a good point...' interjected Shania who completely understood Judy's intentions and decided to contribute her bit. 'A bit of extra luck won't hurt…'

George's ears were red like tomatoes as Willow looked from Judy to Shania. There was a only a short moment of hesitation in Willow's eyes. Her lips soon curled up in a smile; a smile Judy knew all too well.

'I'd better make sure you're extra lucky then...' said Willow. She flung her arms around George's neck and smothered whatever he wanted to say in response with a long kiss on his mouth.

Judy and Shania cheered loudly and gave each other a high five, making several students look at them like they'd gone mad.

But Judy couldn't care less about how many students were looking at her or what they were thinking. As she saw her two best friends finally expressing their love for each other, she was only thankful that for the first time in months she felt like a normal sixteen year old again.

&

Ten minutes later the three girls waded their way through the Ravenclaw stands, toward their fellow sixth years. Judy and Shania kept casting each other a grin as Willow walked in between them, her thoughts clearly lingering on one particular Beater.

'Finally!' said Aidan as the three witches reached their friends. 'What took you three so long?'

'None of your bloody business,' said Shania, though more amused than annoyed. Aidan cast her an approving grin.

'You almost missed the start of the match,' said Chelsea, who shared an umbrella with Connor, meaning the two of them stood against each other. Judy knew neither of them minded it one bit.

'In case any of you care, they're walking onto the pitch...' offered Abigail, in her usual manner.

The Gryffindor team was the first to walk out on the muddy pitch, their scarlet robes quickly absorbing the rain. A strong gush of wind made all the players stagger sideways before regaining their balance.

Judy and Willow burst out cheering as the twins thrust their clubs in the air. 'Go Weasleys!!!' They called out in unison.

The Hufflepuff players approached the Gryffindor team from the opposite side of the pitch in canary-yellow robes. Cedric Diggory, the new Hufflepuff team captain, walked at the front of the group.

'That Diggory guy is something, isn't he?' said Shania, nudging Abigail who arched a brow at her. 'Come on Abby, if he were in Ravenclaw...'

'He's OK,' Abigail shrugged with a small smile, making Shania grin.

Diggory and Wood met in the middle of the pitch and shook hands. Judy couldn't remember the last time she'd seen Wood so tense.

'I hope he wins...' she whispered, making Willow turn to look at her. 'What? I just do.' said Judy defensively as Willow looked at her sceptically.

Judy quickly turned her attention back to the game. Madam Hooch told the team members to mount their brooms and with a high pitched whistle, the game started.

The players rose in the air quickly, their Seekers rising even higher. The Gryffindor Chasers raced around the pitch, throwing the Quaffle toward each other as the Hufflepuff players tried to steal it from them. Fred and George fervently swung their clubs at the Bludgers, but their aim was less accurate than usual due to the ferocious wind steering their brooms off course.

'Look at Potter,' said Aidan, pointing toward the sky. 'He can never find the Snitch in this weather...not with those glasses and that rain.'

'He could if he used an Impervius charm,' offered Chelsea. 'His glasses should repel the water then.'

'It doesn't look like he's used any spell,' said Connor, as Harry was nearly knocked of his broom by a Bludger.

'Is Lee even commenting?' asked Judy, her question followed by a roar of thunder.

'Looks like he's having an argument with McGonagall,' offered Shania as she peered at the teachers' stand. 'Probably wants to turn up the volume...'

'Yes! Way to go Angelina!' Willow suddenly yelled. Judy looked back at the pitch, but she had already missed Gryffindor's first goal.

As the match continued, the weather worsened and so did the players. Despite wearing a poncho and dry clothes underneath, Judy was frozen to her skin and she knew that high up in the air it was even colder than in the stands. Fred and George were clearly having more and more trouble aiming their Bludgers at the opposite team and nearly unseated Wood off his broom, twice. Harry seemed to be having more and more trouble seeing and flew into Katie Bell and Cedric Diggory, nearly making the first plummet down into the mud.

'Oh this is awful,' said Willow as the first flash of lightning appeared in the sky and Madam Hooch blew her whistle to call for a time out.

Both teams flew toward the ground and huddled under an umbrella at either side of the pitch to discuss their game tactics.

'They'd better do something about Potter's glasses, or they'll have no chance at the Snitch,' offered Aidan.

'Well, they can't use magic,' protested Abigail, 'that would be against the rules.'

'Oh come off it,' said Willow, annoyed. 'It's not like they're using Felix Felicis or anything.'

'That's not the point,-'

Judy didn't hear the rest of the argument as she looked down at the Gryffindor team, smiling. She'd seen one of Harry's best friends, Hermione Granger, rush to the team and back to the stands again. Hermione Granger had the reputation of being one of the smartest witches at Hogwarts, and Judy had no doubt as to what spell she had performed, hidden from the audience by her cloak and the Gryffindor team's umbrella.

'They're starting again,' said Judy as she watched the Gryffindor team mount their brooms and kick off into the air again. 'What was the score again?'

'Gryffindor is fifty points up,' offered Connor.

'Potter is flying fast,' said Aidan, looking up at the Gryffindor Seeker. 'He's going to have to catch that Snitch if they want to win.'

'Diggory is doing some good flying too...' offered Shania.

Chelsea yelped as a loud clap of thunder filled the air, immediately followed by a flash of forked lightning. Connor put his arm around her to calm her as another flash of lighting illuminated the pitch.

'What's Potter doing?!' asked Willow confused. Judy followed Willow's gaze to the Gryffindor Seeker, who was staring at the top of the Gryffindor stands. Judy followed his eyes, but saw nothing apart from the empty top rows.

'Merlins' bloody beard, behind you Potter!' yelled Aidan at the top of his lungs, making Judy turn back to the game again. Cedric Diggory speeded across the pitch, a tiny ball of gold fluttering in between him and Harry.

Harry, awakening from his reverie, quickly raced toward the Snitch, lying flat on his broom.

'He's never going to make it,' said Willow anxiously. 'He'll...' She fell silent all of a sudden. Judy knew exactly why, she felt it too. All around them students stopped cheering and huddled together as they realised what was happening.

Judy shivered as the familiar cold lay its blanket over her and penetrated her skin.

'Dear Merlin!' Chelsea said anxiously as she pointed at the pitch. Judy followed her gaze toward the field.

Dozens of cloaked Dementors stood in the centre of the pitch, looking up at the Quidditch players. Oliver Wood swayed as he flew toward Katie Bell, who was shaking on her broom. Fred grabbed George's arm in time as his hand slipped on the handle of his broom.

'Thank Merlin,' whispered Willow relieved.

'HARRY!' His name had escaped Judy's lips before she realized it. She stared at the Gryffindor Seeker as he sat, seemingly unconscious, on his broom and slipped off. 'Harry!' Judy repeated, the cold in her heart growing even stronger.

Not Harry, don't take Harry too..

Judy looked at the boy who had been like a younger brother to her, hoping, begging for his well being. She grabbed Aidan's shoulder as a green flash of light nearly blinded her.

'Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead-'

Judy watched at the falling boy in horror as she realized she'd heard Lily Potter's familiar voice in her head. Then, with no warning, Harry fell to the ground much slower than before. Dumbledore was standing on the pitch, pointing his wand at Harry. Then he flicked it at the Dementors and a bright silver Patronus burst from the tip.

Chelsea turned scarlet and Abigail muttered disapprovingly as Dumbledore yelled after the Dementors.

'Are you OK?' asked Aidan, his voice sounding distant. Judy met his eyes for a moment, nodding absently as she let go of his shoulder.

All the students watched in silence as Dumbledore whipped up a stretcher out of thin air in the middle of the pitch. He magically lifted Harry up from the ground and onto the stretcher. The headmaster followed the floating stretcher out of the stadium, with everyone looking after him in silence.

It seemed as if several hours had passed when Professor McGonagall's voice sounded through the speakers.

'All students are to head back to the castle straight away. Prefects will see to it that nobody will wander the grounds alone.' None of the students moved. 'I suggest you start moving,' spoke Professor McGonagall sternly. 'Now!'

&

A large crowd filled the Entrance Hall while Prefects urged students into the castle, as McGonagall had ordered them to. Judy already saw Shania and Abigail walking up the first staircase toward the Ravenclaw common room, followed closely by Aidan, Connor and Chelsea.

Judy startled as something brushed by her feet. Duncan looked up at her expectantly as she knelt to the floor. 'You found her.' It wasn't a question. Duncan blinked twice. 'Good, now I just...' Judy looked up and saw a slender young witch with long red wet hair, a bordeaux red dress and black suede boots covered in mud standing in the large doorway. She got to her feet, walked over to Willow and placed a hand on her shoulder. Willow startled as if she'd been dreaming.

'Willow shouldn't you,-'

'Penelope can handle it,' said Willow dismissively. 'I want to wait for George, you know, to make sure he's all right...' She looked at Judy with tears in her eyes.

'Will,' Judy put her hands on her shoulders. 'Will, look at me.' Their eyes locked. 'George is fine. He's probably with Harry at the hospital wing with the rest of the team. They have Dumbledore with them, they'll be fine. Trust me.'

'But,-'

'Willow, you're a Prefect,' interjected Judy. 'Penelope is already cross with you for what happened earlier, you can't walk out on your responsibilities now.' She kept her eyes on Willow until she nodded. 'Good, now go.'

'What about you?' asked Willow confused.

'Don't worry, I'll meet you in the common room later,' Judy smiled at her. She waited for Willow to be further along before she looked around. The Hall was emptying now, making it easier for her to find Duncan in the corner of the Hall. Though there was nothing there, Duncan was clearly being nudged away by a leg or foot. Judy walked over to him and pretended to pick him up to take him upstairs with her.

'Dora?' she whispered.

'Take that cat away from me (!)' Tonks whispered back urgently. Judy held Duncan to her chest and petted him.

'I need to talk to you,' said Judy in a low voice.

'Jude, I can't...'

'Please?' she looked up to where Tonks' face was supposed to be.

'Fine. Head for classroom eleven, I'll meet you there,' whispered Tonks back.

Judy looked around, Duncan still held to her chest, and upon seeing nobody was paying attention to her, took the corridor opposite the Great Hall, leading her away from the Entrance Hall. She cast one more glance around to make sure nobody had seen her and slipped inside the empty classroom. Duncan leapt out of her arms as soon as she closed the door. He eagerly looked around at the newly discovered room.

Judy quickly slipped out of her soaked poncho and threw it over a nearby chair to dry. She knelt down to scratch Duncan gently behind his ear, making him purr with content.

'Thank you,' said Judy, looking straight in his yellow eyes. Duncan rubbed his head against her cheek, making her laugh.

'I'm glad you're enjoying yourself.' Judy looked up in time to see the door close. 'You know,' said Tonks, as the Disillusionment Charm lifted and her purple dress, black leggings and purple pumps became visible. 'That cat could have seriously blown my cover. Moody would have killed me, Jude…'

'I'm sorry, I didn't know any other way to find you...'

'How did you know I was here anyway?' asked Tonks suspiciously.

'I can't tell you,' said Judy truthfully. 'But I swear there's nobody besides me who knows you're here.'

'Well, I suppose I'm just going to have to take your word on that,' said Tonks, pushing herself up on one of the desks. 'What happened out there, anyway? Why is everybody running inside?'

'Dementors. In the Quidditch stadium,' explained Judy, getting to her feet. Duncan stalked away from her to explore the deserted classroom.

'Great,' Tonks ran her fingers through her bubblegum pink hair. 'As if those creeps haven't caused enough trouble already...' She looked at Judy for a moment, leapt off her desk and cast a Muffliato spell at the class door. 'Do you know why we're here?' asked Tonks, turning on her heel. 'The Aurors, I mean.'

'Sirius,' said Judy softly.

'Sirius,' repeated Tonks, looking at her younger cousin. 'I read your letter.'

'Do you understand?' asked Judy carefully.

'What do you expect me to say, Jude?' Tonks sighed. 'I mean, I understand that you want to believe that Sirius is innocent, but...well, he's not.'

'You don't know that...' said Judy, her voice barely above a whisper.

'Yes, I do,' said Tonks calmly. 'He was convicted for betraying the Potters by the entire Wizengamot. It was a unanimous decision. He's guilty, Jude.'

'But...' Judy turned on her heel. She quickly brushed away her tears with the back of her sleeve. 'He can't have betrayed James and Lily like that, Dora. Not Sirius, not my father.'

'Jude...' She heard Tonks walk up to her, followed closely by a comforting hand on her shoulder. 'I'm sorry, but he's a mur-'

'Don't!' Judy stepped away from her and spun around, an anger she'd never felt before bubbling up in her chest. 'I don't care if the entire world calls him a murderer...not you Dora. You knew him and you know how much he loved me and my mother!'

'Jude,' said Tonks calmly. 'This has nothing to do with how much he loved you and your Mum. Sirius is not the man he used to be...he's not the man you remember.'

'How do you know?' asked Judy in tears. 'All you've seen is a stupid photograph in that stupid Prophet. How do you know what kind of man he is?!'

'Because,' said Tonks, looking slightly confused. 'Because he's been locked up in Azkaban for twelve years. How do *you* know what kind of man he's turned into? It's not like you...' Tonks voice wavered as their eyes met. 'No...'

'Dora,-' Judy took a few steps back as Tonks approached her.

'You saw him, didn't you?' Judy didn't respond as she looked back at her cousin. 'Jude, I know you've never lied to me in your entire life...'

'I saw him,' admitted Judy.

'When?!' Tonks stared at her in disbelief.

'When he broke into the castle at Halloween,' said Judy, watching Tonks apprehensively.

'Merlin's bloody beard, don't tell me you helped him inside!'

'I didn't,' said Judy quickly. 'I didn't. I only saw him trying to get into Gryffindor tower. I told him to stop attacking the Fat Lady. He saw me and when the rest of the students came back from the feast he fled. That's all that happened, I swear.'

'Why didn't you tell any of the staff?' asked Tonks, confused. 'I mean, if you had I would have known… '

'Because I know what would happen if I told on him...' explained Judy. 'I don't care if he deserves his sentence...I can't turn my own father in so he can receive the Dementor's kiss.'

Tonks looked at her for a moment without speaking, turned on her heel and walked away from her. Her slim fingers ran through her bubblegum pink hair as she was lost in thought. Judy couldn't do anything but stare at her cousin's back. The silence that followed seemed to last ages and the feeling of guilt and doubt about her actions didn't make enduring it any easier.

'Jude...' Tonks turned on her heel and looked at her. Judy already knew what was coming. 'You have to tell Dumbledore.'

'I know...' said Judy, leaning against the stone wall. 'It's just...he's going to tell Remus.'

'As he bloody well should...' said Tonks sharply. 'You really should have told them before. What if Sirius had done something to hurt Harry?'

'He never got inside the common room,' retorted Judy. 'I'd never let any harm come to Harry, you know that Dora,' said Judy truthfully as she thought back on Harry nearly crashing to the ground a few moments before; the memory chilled her to the bone.

'You still should have told someone,' said Tonks dismissively. 'What you did was just….stupid. I expected better of you…'

Another few moments of silence passed in which the only sound in the room was Tonks' heavy breathing caused by her anger. Judy did her utmost to avoid meeting her cousin's gaze.

'Well,' said Tonks finally, 'there's no use in stalling this any longer,' she said resolutely. She waved her wand at the door and undid the Muffliato spell she'd cast before.

'You mean…now?' asked Judy hesitantly. 'But he's probably busy with those Dementors and,-'

'The sooner Sirius is caught, the sooner the Dementors will be gone,' said Tonks briskly. Judy stared at her cousin in disbelief as a single tear slid down her cheek. 'I'm sorry Jude, but I can't indulge in this…this fantasy of yours. The sooner he is caught the better. For everybody's sake.'

Judy didn't say a word as she looked at Tonks. For some reason she had hoped, almost known for sure that her cousin would understand the choices she had made. Tonks had always understood. Tonks had always understood everything.

'I'll go with you,' said Tonks, already turning on her heel.

'No!' said Judy without thinking, the anger she'd felt before again growing in her chest. 'I'll go alone.' She didn't give her cousin time to respond as she walked out of the classroom and slammed the door shut behind her.

She halted only for a moment, deciding not to give anything of what had just happened the time to sink in, until she'd done everything she had to do. She wasn't sure she'd be able to go through with any of it if she thought too long on the consequences of the choices she had made and the ones she was making now.

Judy walked back to the deserted Entrance Hall and toward the marble staircase. She halted at the bottom, looking up the marble steps, as fear threatened to take hold of her. It wasn't so much facing Dumbledore that scared her…it was how telling the truth could change everything.

Telling the truth meant she would betray her father. Telling the truth meant admitting that she'd lied to the people who had always looked out for her. Telling the truth meant that she really would have to go through all of it on her own...

Judy took a deep breath, made her first step on the marble staircase and without thinking walked up to the stone gargoyle on the seventh floor.

'Cauldron cake.'

The stone gargoyle leapt aside as the solid wall behind the statue split in two. It revealed a spiral stone staircase, rising up like an escalator. Judy stepped on one of the stone steps, allowing it to bring her up to the headmaster's office.

She stepped onto the landing as she reached the entrance to Dumbledore's office and took hold of the brass griffin shaped knocker. The sound of brass on wood seemed to echo through her mind. Dumbledore's voice, telling her to come in, sounded from miles away.

Judy met Dumbledore's questioning gaze as she entered the circular room. He sat behind his large desk with papers and parchment covering the highly polished surface.

'Could I have a word with you, Professor?' she asked hesitantly. He surveyed her for a moment; students weren't allowed to visit the headmaster's office unless they were bidden to come there. Judy could see by the look in Dumbledore's eyes that, with Sirius on the run, she was an exception to that rule.

'I'm afraid you've picked a rather inconvenient time….' said Dumbledore, rummaging through the papers on his desk. 'Perhaps you could,-'

'It's about Sirius,' said Judy, the doorknob still in her hand. Dumbledore looked at her for moment, before motioning her to close the door.

'Have a seat, Judy,' Dumbledore's voice sounded strained, which was at least partly due to what happened that morning. Judy didn't quite meet his eyes as she sat down.

'Now,' Dumbledore leaned forward attentively and surveyed Judy over his half moon spectacles. 'You have news about Sirius?'

'Yes, sir. You see I…' she took a deep breath before finishing the sentence. 'I've seen him.'

'When?!' asked Dumbledore eagerly.

'Halloween,' said Judy hesitantly.

Dumbledore's eyes widened. 'You mean when,-'

'I didn't help him inside the castle, sir' said Judy quickly. 'I just…I…I saw him.' Dumbledore looked at her, intrigued.

'You saw him?'

'I'd fallen in the mud on my way back from Hogsmeade and instead of going to the feast I took a bath in the Prefect's bathroom,' explained Judy. 'When I went back to the common room, I heard a cry and a tear of cloth…I walked toward Gryffindor Tower, because it seemed to be coming from that direction…'

'You went to Gryffindor Tower alone?' asked Dumbledore, sounding surprised.

'I know, I shouldn't have, but…I don't know why I did it, sir. But I did,' defended Judy.

'What happened next?' asked Dumbledore interested.

'There was a man…Sirius, and he was yelling at the Fat Lady that she should let him in, but she wouldn't because he didn't know the password. And then…he had a dagger, he slashed the cloth and I screamed at him that he should stop…' She paused for air as her throat seemed to constrict with emotion. Dumbledore surveyed her attentively, leaning back in his chair. 'The Fat Lady fled and Sirius turned around and just…looked at me. And I looked back at him.'

'Did he recognize you?' asked Dumbledore.

'Yes, he did,' said Judy. 'He did. He recognized me,' she said, remembering the look in her father's eyes when he saw her.

'Did you talk to him?' Dumbledore was leaning toward her again, his hands folded in front of his mouth.

'No…' said Judy honestly. 'He only said my name and then everybody came back from the feast and he ran.' Dumbledore nodded in silence, his eyes still on her. Judy looked at everything in the room in the silence that followed, safe for the wizard sitting in front of her. Fear was once again crawling into her heart. Was what she had done really so dangerous as Tonks had implied? Was her father really a man that would betray his best friends? Had her judgement truly been so far off?

'Judy,' said Dumbledore finally, his strained voice took Judy by surprise. 'I asked you something at the beginning of the school year…'

'Harry was at the feast, I didn't think he was in any danger…' said Judy softly.

'Considering your experience with the consequences of dark magic, I expected you to know better,' said Dumbledore, leaving Judy at a loss for words. She looked down at her hands, biting back the tears threatening to well up in her eyes. '

Do you know how Sirius got into the castle or are you currently aware of his whereabouts?' Dumbledore continued.

'No, sir,' said Judy hoarsely.

'If this ever happens again…' Dumbledore drew a deep breath. 'Judy, look at me please.' She complied to his request. 'If anything happens in this castle that you know of concerning Sirius, I expect you to report it to me immediately.'

'But, sir,-'

'I will take measures if you don't…' Dumbledore looked at her sternly. Judy nodded, knowing that expulsion wasn't the worst thing she would be facing... not when Dumbledore would inform Lupin of what she had done.

'Yes sir,' said Judy, not able to say anything in her defence. Dumbledore leaned back in his high-backed chair, still surveying her.

'I suppose you wish to tell your uncle about this yourself?' Judy looked back at him, surprised that he'd give her a choice in the matter.

'I would like that, sir. Thank you,' said Judy truthfully, realising that though facing Lupin herself would be ten times harder than having him hear the truth from Dumbledore, she'd at least be able to explain herself to him in her own words.

'I suggest you tell him when he's recuperated from his…illness,' said Dumbledore kindly. 'There's no need to give him this news in his current condition, but there's no use in stalling it any longer than necessary either.'

'Yes, Professor,' said Judy, not meeting Dumbledore's eyes as she thought on how she had neglected her uncle in the past few days. 'I will tell him in a few days.'

'Good. Then I will excuse you for now. I have other pressing matters demanding my attention. But I will talk this over with your uncle as soon as you have informed him of your dreadful misjudgement,' said Dumbledore, taking up his papers again.

'Yes…' said Judy, taking in his words slowly. 'I will take my leave then.' Dumbledore gestured at the door as Judy got up from her seat.

She left the headmaster's office in a daze. Her mind was still on the conversation she'd just had when she walked down the marble staircase toward the fifth floor entrance to Ravenclaw tower.

Could her father really be, like the entire world except her seemed to believe, a spy? A traitor? How could she believe in his innocence even stronger than a few months before when the entire world thought him to be a murderer? Had her judgement really been as dreadful as Tonks and Dumbledore judged it to be?

'Jude!' She turned on her heel in the fifth floor corridor. George walked up to her in soaked Quidditch robes, looking as if he'd run a mile.

'Have you seen Willow?' he asked, panting.

'I think she's in the common room,' said Judy, trying to focus her thoughts on the conversation at hand. 'She was looking for you earlier, but I told her to attend to her Prefect duties. She was already in trouble with Penelope this morning.' Judy added as an explanation.

'How did she look?' asked George, worried. 'I mean, last time we ran into those Dementors…'

'A bit shaken,' said Judy honestly. 'But I think that goes for all of us…'

'Yes, I suppose you're right,' said George. 'Would you give her this from me?' He handed her a small note.

'Sure,' Judy took the note from him.

'Thanks. Now I'm going to get out of these clothes. If I keep this on for much longer I'm going to be in a bed next to Harry.'

'How's he doing?' asked Judy carefully, afraid of the answer.

'A few scratches,' said George dismissively. 'He was very lucky that the muddy ground and Dumbledore's spell softened his fall. He could have been a lot worse.'

'Yes, he could have…' said Judy absently, the memory of Harry's fall tainted her vision as a wave of fear and sadness swooped over her.

'Jude?' She shook her head and only now noticed George was standing directly in front of her. 'Hey, are you OK?' He asked gently as he brushed away a tear from her cheek. Judy recoiled from his touch, not having realised some of the tears she tried to hold back had spilled.

'I ehm…' she hesitated as she met his worried eyes. 'I will be. I just need to figure some things out.'

'If there's anything we can do,' George offered with a small smile, referring to himself and his twin. Judy had had more than one serious conversation with either twin in the past and she knew she wouldn't hesitate to have a good talk, if her worries concerned but the secrets she had to keep hidden.

'Thanks, George,' she said truthfully. 'But this is something I have to do on my own.' He nodded in understanding. 'Listen, would you give this back to Fred?' she asked, unravelling the Gryffindor scarf from her neck. 'Otherwise he'll accuse me of nicking it…'

'Yeah, sure,' said George as he took the scarf from her. 'Don't forget to give that to Willow, OK?' he asked, gesturing at the note in her hands.

'You just worry about getting out of those wet clothes,' said Judy amused. 'There's not much you can do together if you come down with pneumonia…' George cast her a grin. 'Don't,' said Judy warningly. 'I don't want to know…'

'Fair enough,' said George amused. 'See you later, Byrne.'

'Bye George.' Judy looked after him as he walked away from her, taking the distraction he'd offered her from her worries with him.

Judy resumed her way to Ravenclaw Tower, her mind again on how Tonks and Dumbledore, her secret keepers, had reacted to her confession. Tonks, the one person who had always listened to her and understood her, calling her beliefs a fantasy. Dumblore, one of the wisest wizards who had ever lived, believing her actions to be the consequence of dreadful misjudgement. Both of them telling her how wrong she was in believing in her father's innocence…both of them feeding the doubt in her heart.

Judy looked up as she reached the top of the tightly winding staircase. It lead up from the fifth floor to the entrance door to Ravenclaw Tower. The door with the bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle stood ajar, with a slim white hand around the edge just about to close it.

'Wait up!' Judy called, not feeling like answering a difficult question to be allowed entrance to the Ravenclaw common room.

The door slowly opened, revealing a young witch with long dirty blonde hair and silver grey eyes. Luna Lovegood wore such a dreamy look that Judy wasn't quite sure she really saw her.

'Oh, hello…' said Luna surprised.

'Thanks for holding the door for me,' said Judy, quickly putting her hand on the wooden edge. Luna had a quirky sense of humour and Judy didn't feel like her still closing the door on her.

'You're welcome,' said Luna dreamily as she already walked ahead while Judy closed the door. Judy rolled her eyes for a moment before following her. She'd met some strange witches and wizards in her lifetime, but Luna had always been a different story.

The Ravenclaw common room, with its blue and silver hangings and midnight-blue starry carpet was much more crowded than usual. It seemed that most students had chosen the common room to work out the events of that morning. All chairs and tables were taken up by students talking about the Dementor attack and others having a go at Wizard's chess to avoid having to talk at all.

'We were afraid a Dementor got hold of you…' Judy turned to her left to face Aidan, who smiled at her.

'Aidan!' Shania slapped him on the arm. 'That's not funny!'

'And just saying so wouldn't have had the desired impact?' asked Aidan, rubbing his arm. Shania didn't respond, but her lips curled up in a small smile of satisfaction.

Judy shook her head as she looked at the two of them. 'Has anyone of you seen Willow?'

'She's upstairs,' said Chelsea, who sat very close to Connor on the blue sofa. Her eyes were red, indicating she'd been crying not too long ago. As Judy glanced around the room she saw her room mate wasn't the only one.

'*George*,' mouthed Shania quietly. Judy nodded, putting her own thoughts on hold as she walked away from her friends, up the spiral stone staircase and into the dormitory where Willow lay on her bed; her face buried in her pillow and her red hair spread around her like an aura.

'Will?' asked Judy hesitantly. She turned around on the bed, looking back at Judy with bloodshot eyes.

'Where the hell were you?!' Willow yelled at her. 'I thought you were right behind me!'

'I'm sorry,' said Judy, taken aback. 'I didn't mean to,-'

'Then you shouldn't have!' snapped Willow back at her, sitting up on the bed with her loose hair tangled and her mascara running down her face. Judy looked at her best friend as the latter pulled her legs up on the bed.

'Here,' Judy walked over to her and handed her the small note. 'George asked me to give it to you.'

'George?' asked Willow, quickly grabbing the note. 'You saw him? Is he all right?'

'He's fine,' said Judy with a smile as she sat down at the foot of the bed. She leaned back against the wooden pillar as she saw Willow's lips curling into a small smile while reading the note. 'Feeling better?' asked Judy gently. Willow looked up at her, her hair covering her face as she looked back at the note again.

'I was just worried about him,' said Willow hoarsely, looking back up at Judy again.

'Will…' Judy sighed as she moved forward and brushed away the red strands from her best friend's face. 'I can understand you're worried about him, but this…'

Willow leaned back against the headboard, evading Judy's eyes. 'It's those stupid Dementors…' Judy nodded, understanding her best friend more than the other realised.

'What did you see?' asked Judy gently.

'I just keep hearing…' she drew a deep breath, to still her emotions. 'I keep hearing George…calling for help, as if…as if he's being attacked or…dying…' Judy sat down beside Willow as she started crying.

'That's awful,' said Judy truthfully, thinking of how the memory of her mother's death affected her every time a Dementor was near her.

'I just…I don't understand,' said Willow in between sobs. 'My father always told me Dementors took your happy memories away and leave you with the worst ones. But George dying isn't…isn't…' her voice faltered.

'I'm not sure it always works that way,' said Judy, taking a light blue handkerchief from her pocket and handing it to her best friend. 'May be if we haven't experienced awful things in our life a Dementor doesn't leave us with our worst memories, but what we fear the most of happening in the future…' Judy smiled as Willow stopped sobbing and wiped away her tears. 'You're in love with him, aren't you?' Willow met her gaze with an arched eyebrow.

'Dugh!'

'Does he know?' asked Judy amused.

'Of course he doesn't,' said Willow quickly, as she sat up straight. 'We've been going steady for a couple of hours…'

'You mean you two *admitted* that you've been going steady for a couple of hours…'

'Details, details…' said Willow dismissively, making Judy laugh.

'Everything OK in here?' Shania asked carefully, popping her head through the door opening.

'We're absolutely perfect,' assured Willow her as she sat up straight. Judy couldn't stifle a laugh as she saw Willow's tangled hair and ruined make-up.

'Oh yes, I can see you look absolutely perfect…' said Shania sarcastically, leaning against the wooden doorpost.

'Oh,' Willow grabbed a mirror from her nightstand to check her appearance. 'Merlin's bloody beard, George will think I'm a hag!' She tried to rub away the mascara from her skin. 'What time is it?' she asked without looking away from her reflection.

'Lunchtime,' said Shania without thinking. 'I came up to ask if you two were joining us…'

'I can't,' said Willow quickly. 'George asked me to…oh, how am I ever going to fix this in less than five minutes?' she asked, looking desperate.

Judy smiled at her, wand already in hand. 'And you say I think like a Muggle…'

'Oh no you don't,' Shania quickly walked toward them. 'You stand watch this time,' she said pulling Judy up from the bed. 'I want to have some fun now.'

'Fun?' asked Willow, arching a brow at her.

'Come on, Will. Trust me,' said Shania, smiling.

'Fine, but no braids and bows,' said Willow warningly. 'And don't even think about dreads…' she added accusingly.

'That was three years ago!' said Shania, rolling her eyes.

Judy laughed at the sight of them; Shania doing her best to cast her spells at Willow and the latter evading them and looking at her friend suspiciously. She tried to hold on to the carelessness of the situation, to just enjoy spending time with her mates and be a regular teenager. But the memory of her conversations with Tonks and Dumbledore soon took hold of her thoughts again.

The way they talked to her, the way they referred to her actions, the way they believed in Sirius' guilt…

Judy shivered as a cold trickle travelled down her spine. She didn't want to believe she could have been so wrong about her father…but she wasn't able to ignore the growing doubt in her heart.

'Oy, are you coming or what?' Judy blinked, awakening from her reverie. Willow and Shania had apparently passed her and were already halfway down the winding stone staircase.

'Yes, I'll be right there,' she said, watching them disappear from view. She walked over to her bed and sat down at the foot of it. A small bundle of black hair rolled from under the bed, caught in the small draft that always blew through the stone walled dorm.

'They are dead, Remus.'

'Stop it!' she hissed, as her vision went hazy.

'But the Fidelius Charm…' Lupin paused for a moment. 'Sirius was their Secret Keeper…'

'I'm sorry, Remus,' said Dumbledore honestly. 'We all trusted Sirius.' Lupin let himself fall into the chair behind him.

'Stop it!' Judy grabbed hold of the wooden pillar, her knuckles turning white as she tried to fight off the vision.

'But Sirius would never...are you sure, Albus?' He looked at Dumbledore, the hope in his heart crushed by the look in the other man's eyes.

'There is no other way…' Dumbledore took off his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes.

Judy shook fervently as the vision faded. Her hands where pearly white, while sweat droplets trailed down her back. She quickly took the handkerchief Willow left behind and dabbed the sweat off her forehead; she couldn't handle another line of questioning.

Judy took a deep breath as her eyes wandered to the open trunk. Lupin's Fizzing Whisbees still lay atop of her books. She got to her feet without giving them a second glance and walked to the door, taking hold of the wooden doorpost to steady herself as another shiver went through her.

It weren't the events of the day that made her feel as cold as when the Dementors walked onto the pitch that morning. She could handle Tonks being cross with her. She could even handle Dumbledore disapproving her decisions and actions.

But facing the man that had vowed to take care of her since she was four. The man who had provided for her no matter how hard times had been on them. The man that had always been there for her despite his own hardships…

Judy knew all too well that facing Lupin and admitting she'd betrayed his trust…would be one of the hardest things she'd ever had to do in her entire life.