With some trepidation, Aria managed to turn on the camp stove without blowing anything up. One would imagine that, after two years of controlling fire in the potions classroom she would be able to handle a simple Muggle appliance, but apparently propane was beyond her comprehension.

It had been a trying time since Remi had mysteriously been abducted. The kitchen was a total loss. Aria had tried her hand at a wandless Repairo, and had managed to fix a few things like the chairs and kitchen table, but the counters and electric appliances were beyond her amateur skills. Still, her dad had taken the time to be impressed at her wandless skills that somehow circumnavigated the Underage Magic Trace. Then he had called DI Sheard.

The cover story, that Kenneth had made up on the spot, was that Remi had told him that he and Sirius Black had been lovers prior to the man's arrest (which was true) and that Remi had also shared that he was fearful of Black coming after him (also true though not as dramatic as Kenneth had made it sound). Kenneth had then told Sheard that he and Aria had popped round to the shops to get her more feminine items (which she thankfully had had to get early that day) and that when they had come back, the kitchen had been destroyed and Remington Johnson was gone.

Thankfully, there seemed to be more important matters going on in the country, so there had not been a lot of reporting about this incident in the news beyond a local mention in the paper that Black may have been in the area and that DI Sheard and the Cokeworth police were investigating.

Like most things on Spinner's End, everyone eventually found out that Aria and Kenneth were at the center of the drama. Samuel's family lent them their camp stove that ran on propane and a collection at the parish church had been taken up which would help cover some of the construction needed to fix the kitchen. The house insurance money covered a little bit more, as Kenneth had told her, but not everything, so they would have to choose between kitchen appliances or new counterspace and cupboards. Aria had immediately voted to get new appliances and then worry about the other stuff later since, she reasoned, what was the point of cupboards and counters if you didn't have a place to store food? They had the kitchen table to use in the meantime for counter space, and Tommy's dad had fixed the sink.

Now that the camp stove was on, Aria settled the pot on top and grabbed the box of pasta. Currently, until they were able to get around to finding a refrigerator in budget and size, they were eating a lot of meals that could be made in a pot that were also shelf stable. Pasta, oatmeal, and the like.

Aria was near sick of it.

Kenneth shuffled into the kitchen, having just showered after returning home from work. He looked tired, Aria thought. There was something lackluster about her dad now that Remi was gone. It was similar to how he had been when her mum had died, just not as severe.

"What're we having tonight?" he asked.

"Pasta," she answered. "I've got tomato sauce or alfredo. Which one do you want?"

"Let's go with the alfredo," Kenneth said.

A sharp knock on the door pulled Kenneth out of the kitchen.

"Severus!" Aria heard a moment later. She instantly turned to peer out of the kitchen towards the front door. Her Head of House stepped into the front hallway, severe as ever, dressed as he always was in black. However, the long robes were gone and were replaced by a black sports coat.

"Where have you been?" Kenneth continued, slamming the door behind Snape.

"Good evening to you as well, Kenneth," Snape drawled. "Did my absence this summer upset you? Perhaps you miss me more than you let on?"

"Just take a look at the kitchen!"

Snape strolled into the kitchen. Aria waved before turning back to the camp stove. The water was now boiling. She dumped the pasta in.

"How is the destruction of your kitchen my fault?" Snape asked. He turned a sharp eye to Aria. "Unless we've got some accidental magic going on?"

"Magic, yes," Kenneth snapped, "accidental no."

"Dad was dating a wizard unknowingly," Aria supplied. "Named Remington Johnson?"

"Never heard of him."

"Have you heard of Sirius Black?"

"Who hasn't?" Snape sneered. "I was unfortunate enough to go to school with Black. Same year. Thankfully, not the same house. He was a Gryffindor, and a Black is it any wonder why he turned out the way he did?"

Aria rolled her eyes.

"Yes, well, Remington Johnson was my . . . partner," Kenneth said, still a bit snappish. "He had let out the basement bedroom I had made up and was working at the mill. Thought he was the perfect Muggle."

"I take it he was not?" Snape questioned.

The whole sorry tale came spilling out of Kenneth. Aria finished cooking the pasta and dumped the tomato sauce onto it, making sure it was well coated before serving out three plates. Snape accept the silent invitation to dinner.

When Kenneth was finished he stabbed at his pasta like it had personally insulted him. Aria glanced at her professor who was twirling the pasta around his fork absentmindedly.

"I'm sorry that you've been through a trying summer," Snape finally said. "I'll fix up your kitchen, I assume that is part of why you're yelling at me."

"Sorry," Kenneth muttered. "It's been stressful."

"However, your story does answer at least one question I and a few acquaintances have had . . . at least since the news broke that Black broke out of Azkaban. Did your Remington Johnson have a scar or two over his face?"

"Yeah," Kenneth replied. "Like something had scratched him. He said he had been in an accident as a child. I assumed it was some sort of automobile accident."

"And did he . . . disappear once a month?"

"For a few days," Aria answered this time. "He said he was going to London for treatment."

"Some sort of autoimmune disease," Kenneth added. "I take it that that's not . . . true?" He looked ever sadder.

"It is quite an adequate cover story for a wizard who wishes to pose as a Muggle," Snape said. "One more question. What color were his eyes?"

"Like an amber, almost dark gold," Kenneth said. "I thought them quite beautiful."

"So did Black," Snape sneered again. "We all had to listen to him wax poetically more than once about how much he loved the eyes of Remus Lupin while at school. It was quite nauseating."

Aria paused. She knew that name. Why did she know that name?

"Remus Lupin?" Kenneth questioned.

"The man you described is named Remus Lupin," Snape told them. "I suppose Remington Johnson must mean something to him or he felt it was close enough to his original name to use it here in the Muggle world. I dare say he was not the only wixen to disappear into the Muggle world before, during, and after the war."

"So, the entire relationship was one giant lie!" Kenneth cried. His shoulders straightened briefly in anger before he slumped over his pasta. Snape looked highly uncomfortable, as if doling out relationship advice or sympathy was foreign to him. On second thought, Aria decided, it probably was.

"The Lupin I remember was very strong in his loyalties," Snape finally said. "If this Johnson and Lupin are one in the same – and based off what you've told me I believe they are – then the only thing to be held against him is that he didn't tell you he was a wizard, especially when he realized you were aware of the magical world, and that he had an unfortunate taste in men once upon a time. I daresay you're an improvement."

"Thanks," Kenneth drawled. "I should hope I'm better than some mass murderer."

"Remus Lupin!" Aria suddenly cried. She knew why that name sounded familiar! "Harry's been writing to him since first year. Professor McGonagall got in contact with him. He's sent Harry pictures and things." She gasped as she came to another realization, this one a little more horrifying.

"Does that mean Sirius Black was friends with Harry's parents too?" she cried. "If I went through Harry's photo album would he be in there?"

"Probably," Snape answered. "He and James Potter were best friends."

"Do I detect a hint of animosity, Severus?" Kenneth managed to tease.

"Potter and I were the farthest thing from friends," Snape answered. "Potter, Lupin, and Black were three of a group of four troublemakers that we at the school started calling the Marauders. It started as an insult and then they insisted on using it like a badge of honor!"

"What happened then?" Aria asked. "I know the story that the Muggles've put out about Black, that he was a terrorist bomber, but then that must've been a cover from the magical world or something. Harry's parents were war heroes."

Snape sighed, leaning back in his chair, his empty plate of pasta pushed away.

"The Black family is one of the purest in all of Great Britain," Snape told her. "If not all of Europe. Their obsession at remaining pureblood has led them to be notoriously inbred. As Muggles figured out quicker than wizards, inbreeding does nothing but bring about mental and physical deficiencies. The Blacks, because of this, are well-known for not only their purist ideals, but what's called the Black Family Madness. Everyone not a Black thought Sirius Black would be the saving grace of the family. He was sorted into Gryffindor instead of Slytherin, made friends with the notoriously Light family of Potter, and was quite the pet of Headmaster Dumbledore. However, in the end, it was his actions that led to the Dark Lord finding the Potters and killing Harry's parents. When the fourth Marauder went after him in revenger, Peter Pettigrew, Black had no qualms with blowing up the street they were standing on. Twelve Muggles were killed, and the only thing left of Pettigrew was his finger. It was said that Black was found laughing in the center of the destruction."

"That's awful!" Kenneth cried. "No wonder Remi left for the Muggle world after that. He said he had no friends or family left."

"Essentially true," Snape said.

"So, is Black a threat?" Aria asked.

"Black is a threat to everyone," Snape told her. "But especially Mr. Potter."

"Please don't have any adventures involving escaped felons!" Kenneth moaned. "I can't handle having you in danger for a third year in a row!"

"Hogwarts is very safe," Snape said.

"Bullshit! Aria's had to battle deranged wraiths and a basilisk in her first two years at Hogwarts. Not to mention the troll and that . . . upper classman!"

"Is Harry going to be safe?" Aria asked.

"So long as he doesn't do anything foolish. Though as a Slytherin I expect him not to."

Aria bit her lip. Snape noted the movement.

"Harry's been staying at the Leaky Cauldron for the last week, week and a half," Aria admitted to Snape. "Apparently, he blew up his Aunt Marge – not like a bomb – like a balloon. His relatives don't want him there anymore, so the Minister put him up at the Leaky Cauldron."

Professor Snape stared at her as if he were struggling to comprehend what she was saying.

"Mr. Potter has been in Diagon Alley for nearly two weeks now?" Snape bit out. His tone was the sort that warned any Slytherin not to lie on pain of death.

"Yes?"

"And you know this how?"

"Well, he wrote to me didn't he?"

"Did he say if there were any guards or aurors or anything to look after him?"

"No. Just that the Ministry was paying for him to stay at the Leaky Cauldron and that Minister Fudge had assured him that he wasn't going to be expelled for blowing up his aunt."

Snape pinched the bridge of his nose. A sure sign that he was going to find some dunderheads and give them a piece of his mind.

"Sirius Black is an absolute threat to Mr. Potter," Snape told her. "Dear Merlin, must I fix everything?" He stood abruptly, turning as if to head out of the kitchen, only to spin back around and pull an envelope out of the inner pocket on his sport coat.

"You have an appointment at Gringotts tomorrow at 10am," he told her. Aria glanced at the seal on the envelope. It was from the bank. "We have worked to ensure the harvested basilisk was distributed and sold at fair market prices as well as setting items aside in your vault for your private use. They wish to discuss your new status as a very wealthy client. I will fetch you at 9:30 to escort you. That in your hand is your newest bank statement that they graciously allowed me to convey to you." He spun on his heel and disappeared with a pop!

Kenneth rubbed his temples.

"I feel a headache," he muttered. Aria ignored him for her bank statement. Her eyebrows shot up seeing the profit for the basilisk parts. And apparently there was still items left over? At the bottom of the statement the goblins had even given her the amount in British pounds.

What the hell was she supposed to do with all this money?

A quick look around and she could not help but grin.

"What's that look for?" Kenneth asked with a tired sigh. Aria handed him the bank statement. He took a minute to read over it, then another. And another.

"This is . . . from the basilisk?" he questioned.

"Apparently," she answered. "You know what this means, Dad?"

"That I never had to worry about your school fees again," he answered promptly. "Or that I have to worry about you after Hogwarts. Financially at least."

"Dad! I mean, yes, all those things. But we can fix the kitchen!"

"I don't want to use your money—"

"I want to use my money to fix the kitchen," Aria cried. "You think I like living like this? It's as much for me as for you if it'll make you feel better. I mean, look at this, it's hardly gonna make a dent. And then I'm sure the goblins will tell me tomorrow how I can make more money off of all this. That's their business. The more money I make the more they make. We're set for life!"

Kenneth gave a wet laugh and then he was dropping the bank statement and hiding his face in his hands. Alarmed, Aria jumped to her feet and threw her arms around her dad's shoulders.

"Sorry," Kenneth muttered. "Sorry, don't mean to . . . I'm supposed to take care of you not the other way around."

"Dad! Your daughter's a monster slayer. I could make a living out of this."

"Please don't."

The next morning Aria awaited Professor Snape's return. She smoothed down the dress she was wearing. Her dad had insisted that she meet with the goblins looking "presentable" as a wealthy young witch. She had taken one look at her wardrobe and picked out a burgundy flit and flare dress that she had been allowed to take home from modeling at Gloria Keetering's. It was slighter longer than the more popular skater dress, but not by much, reaching the tops of Aria's knees when she stood. Her favorite part of the dress, besides the color, were the short leg of mutton sleeves. It gave the dress a vintage flare that Aria found she was falling in love with.

After slipping into a pair of nylons she picked out her cleanest pair of Mary Janes that still fit, finishing off by wrangling her long curly hair into a halo braid.

Finally 9:30 rolled around and Professor Snape knocked on the door. He strolled into the house, giving Aria an approving look as he took in her outfit.

"Do I look presentable?" Aria asked, suddenly nervous.

"Indeed. I expected nothing less from one of my Slytherins. Now, do you have your vault key?"

Aria grabbed her cross-body bag and dug through it before proudly showing her vault key to her professor. He nodded and declared them ready to depart.

Moments later, Aria decided she did not like disapparating. Apparating was apparently how a great many wixen traveled besides the Floo, but it felt like she was being pulled through a pipe and spat back out.

Professor Snape said she would get used to it.

They had appeared in a small alley just around the corner from the Leaky Cauldron. The pub was a little crowded with the late breakfast crowd as they slipped on through to Diagon Alley. The alley itself was not as crowded as Aria had seen it, but she had never been to the alley outside of school shopping.

In Gringotts, Snape led her to a teller and after a quick word about an appointment for Aria Bourne, they were escorted out of the main atrium down a hallway with many doors on either side into an office. Professor Snape bowed to the goblin sitting behind the ornate desk and Aria followed his lead.

"Welcome, Professor Snape," the goblin greeted, showing off a row of rather sharp looking teeth. "And this is Aria Bourne I assume."

"Indeed. Miss Bourne, this is Erkor. I believe I mentioned him at the end of the school year as the goblin assigned by Gringotts to help you financially. He will review your account with you and help start you on investing your money."

"So you're like my account manager?" Aria asked.

"I am. If your experience with me is unsatisfactory, you may of course request a new manager."

"If Professor Snape is happy with your help, then I don't see why I wouldn't be," Aria answered. "However, I think I should hear what you have to say first."

"A good answer, Miss Bourne," Erkor replied with a nod. A tea service popped onto a side table as Aria and Snape settled in chairs in front of the desk. They were served tea and several pieces of shortbread.

"Now, the basilisk that we harvested is the largest harvest ever recorded of a basilisk," Erkor told them. "Much of your wealth, Miss Bourne, is currently in the physical form of basilisk parts. We did not sell every piece, in fact, we suggest selling only portions over the next decade, if not several decades. That way the market does not get flooded with basilisk parts and you're guaranteed the best price on every item."

Aria nodded.

"In total the basilisk is work over a million Galleons," Erkor told her. "1,121,300 to be exact. With the current exchange rate that's £5,606,500."

Aria choked on a piece of shortbread.

Erkor sighed and waited as Snape pounded Aria's back. She coughed hard for a minute before being able to take several swigs of tea.

"I'm sorry," she gasped. "I thought you just said that the basilisk was work over five million pounds."

"You heard me correctly, Miss. Bourne."

"Sweet Merlin!"

"As I said, we have put most of the basilisk parts in your vault under the strongest stasis charms to ensure fresh quality for decades to come. The parts that were sold have added 58,600 Galleons to your vault. That's £293,000."

Aria was glad that she was sitting down. She had almost £300,000 pounds in her account! Well, if she applied the exchange rate. Still, 58,600 Galleons was nothing to sneeze at. She would be able to pay for Hogwarts without any worry as well as have a good start once she graduated. And if she sold an equal mount every so often, it would just keep racking up!

"I have here some investment proposals for you to look at," Erkor continued, as if Aria's whole world had not just been turned on its head. She had seen the bank statement but had not believed it until she heard it for herself.

"What sort of investments?" Snape questioned, taking the folder from Erkor. Aria glanced over it with Snape.

"A wide range," Erkor answered. "What's the saying? Don't put all your eggs in one basket? The suggested investment package encompasses a wide range of businesses including potions, real estate, foreign markets, and even the Muggle market. There are one or two high-risk endeavors, but most of the proposed investments have already proven beneficial to other clients. As you can see, the if the markets were to stay the same, she would have an addition 100,000 Galleons at her disposal once she graduated Hogwarts."

"This is very straight forward," Snape told Aria. "I see nothing here that should worry you. Once your graduate Hogwarts, you can always return here and reevaluate where you want your money invested. By then you'll most likely have a greater understanding of where you personally want your money to go. Charities, research, or business ventures. On top of this your vault will gain interest. What's the interest rate currently?"

"5.2%."

"You'll be well settled when you graduate Hogwarts. Now, I do suggest, now that you're entering your third year and will have access to Hogsmeade, that you set up a monthly or bi-monthly allowance. It'll help teach you how to begin budgeting your money and it'll allow you to always have some coin on hand for all your little . . . fun things. Or whatever it is you students do."

"I've only ever gone school supply shopping. What do you suggest?"

Snape set the investment folder down and poured himself another cup of tea.

"Fifteen galleons a month to start," he finally said. "Your richer classmates might find that mere pittance, but I can guarantee that it's more than enough to enjoy Hogsmeade without being overly frivolous and still have left over money. You can, of course, always change it if you want."

"No, fifteen sounds good," Aria agreed. "And I can, of course, make larger withdrawals when necessary."

Erkor nodded.

"Right, then that's what I'll do. Erkor, sir, I'd like to set up 15 Galleons a month allowance for me. I'd also like to go ahead and with this . . . investment folder."

"Very well. I'll have someone fetch your 15 Galleons today unless you'd like to take a ride down to your vault?"

"No, someone getting it for me is fine. Do you need to see my key?"

"Please."

Aria handed it over.

"I'd also like to make a slighter larger withdrawal too," she said. "In Muggle currency." She glanced at Snape. "How much do you think I'll need to make sure our kitchen's put back to rights?"

"Do you know if your dad has insurance money?"

"Yes, some."

"Then at the moment I'd say £1,000. That should cover major appliances."

Aria helped herself to more shortbread as they waited for another goblin to arrive with the requested funds.

Another goblin came in after fifteen minutes with a sleek brown money pouch. Erkor took the money pouch, double checked its contents, then handed it over to Aria.

"You'll find that this featherlight bag has the ability to hold up to 600 Galleons at a time," Erkor told her. "Not to mention the sickles and knuts you can add to it. When you want any money, simply speak the amount and currency, Muggle, or wizard, over the top of the bag and the correct amount will move to the top."

Aria held up the bag.

"What kind of spells're on it?" she asked. "Will I learn it in Charms?"

Erkor and the other goblin chuckled, a strange grating sound that was almost like nails on a chalkboard, but not quite.

"Gringotts secret, Miss Bourne," Erkor told her. "Come work for us when you graduate Hogwarts, and you can learn all about it."

Aria huffed, slipping the money pouch into her bag.

It was now nearing lunch. Professor Snape escorted Aria down the alley to a side street tucked between Quidditch Quality Supplies and Buckley's Beauty Boutique. Down this pleasant side street, which widened after one got past the entrance to the street, was another series of little shops restaurants before ending in a little dead-end square in front of a larger building.

"The Hall of Guilds," Professor Snape pointed out to her, gesturing to the larger building. "It's the center of all the professional guilds in Great Britain. All the Hogwarts professors . . . most of the Hogwarts professors . . . are part of professional guilds. You'll rarely find a master not attached to a guild."

"What do these guilds do?" she asked as they settled at an outdoor table in front of one of the little eateries.

"They oversee the practice and trade of their crafts and trades," Snape explained, taking the menus that had floated over to them. "Unlike in medieval times you don't have to belong to a guild in order to work as a potioneers or wardsmith or what have you, but it certainly helps. Belonging to a guild tells people that they won't be swindled by you because if you do swindle them, you'll be banned from the guild."

"I assume you're part of a guild?"

"I am a part of several if you must know. The Potions Guild of Great Britain and Ireland as well as the Greater Europe Guild of Potioneers."

"Professor Snape! Aria!"

Aria perked up hearing Harry's voice. A further grin split her face as she realized that he was not alone. Professor Snape let out a sigh but with a flick of his wand a fourth chair slid over to their table for Neville Longbottom.

Harry and Neville plonked down into their seats, though Neville cast a nervous look at Snape who pretended to be interested in the dessert menu.

"Hiya, Neville!" Aria greeted. "Didn't know you'd be joining us."

"I wasn't," Neville answered, "but Harry saw me and invited me and . . . well . . . Grandmother's been in a right state recently, so I managed to get her to agree to me going to lunch and then ice cream." He plucked a menu from the air where it had floated close to him. "So what've you been up to this summer?"

"Oh . . . nothing much," Aria replied, thinking about her friendship woes, her dad's relationship woes, her newfound fortune, and her modeling work. "I've been doing some modeling work for a local clothing boutique."

"That's cool," Harry answered. "Is the dress from there? You look pretty in it."

"Aw, thanks! And yes, I'm allowed to keep some of the clothes I model."

A waitress came over to get their orders. A few minutes later they were each tucking into their lunches. Aria very much enjoyed being able to order anything off the menu without having to worry about the price for once. She even splurged and got a butterbeer instead of water.

Neville chatted about the greenhouses at his home, Luddenden Hall (although it was also known as simply Longbottom Manor but he liked to use the official name). The greenhouses had been first built back 1780 and had been maintained and expanded ever since. Apparently, that was when the Longbottoms began amassing their fortune through herbology and other horticulture endeavors. Neville, it seemed, was now mostly in charge of the greenhouses and neither his grandmother nor great-uncle appeared to have much interest in them. Aria was desperately curious about what had happened to Neville's parents as it was clear they weren't in the picture but knew better than to ask.

Snape added in his own commentary a few times, mentioning that the Longbottoms had also produced some excellent potioneers alongside their herbology prodigies. Neville's ears had reddened. Aria and Harry gave Snape sharp looks at upsetting their friend.

"Do not look at me like that," Snape gave a longsuffering sigh. "It may surprise you, but I do not expect every student to be a potions prodigy. However, that being said, with your herbology prowess, you should still be able to do better in my class, Mr. Longbottom. A knowledgeable herbologist is a potion master's friend. Who else would I consult when experimenting with a variety of plants?"

The red on Neville's ears began to slowly disappear as he considered that.

"I'm sorry, sir," Neville finally replied. "It's just . . . well . . . my grandmother has never had anything good to say about you, so I was already . . . um . . . nervous when going to you class and then you're super strict and all . . . and then I get more nervous . . . and Crabbe and Goyle like to try and put things in my cauldron . . ." the red had returned to his ears as his voice trailed off.

Professor Snape hmphed.

"I shall endeavor to keep those two away from you if it means that your cauldron doesn't melt this year," Snape told him. Neville seemed to sag in his seat. Aria glanced at Harry and with barely a glance, both agreed to ensure they somehow sat between the two goons and Neville if they had potions with him again.

After lunch the three soon to be third years scampered away from their professor, though he yelled after Aria and Harry to meet him at the Leaky in two hours.

"So why are you guys here?" Neville asked as Harry dragged them into Fortescue's. "Not that I'm complaining, but I thought you both lived with Muggles."

"We do," Aria agreed. "Do most Muggleborns or Muggle-raised not come to Diagon Alley?"

"I guess I thought it was just harder for you to make it outside of school."

Fortescue leaned against the counter, giving them a friendly smile.

"Morning, Harry, Neville," Fortescue greeted. "And who's your friend?"

"This is Aria Bourne," Neville answered. Aria and Harry glanced at each other again. Neville, usually so shy at school, began chatting rapidly with Fortescue in between their orders of ice cream. Neville even insisted on paying!

"You friends with Mr. Fortescue?" Harry asked as they settled in a booth with their version of a wixen banana split. It involved a dirigible plum instead of a banana with coconut, mango, and dragon fruit ice cream scoops topped with whipped cream and popping peanuts. The peanuts popped in the mouth like Pop Rocks, much to Aria's delight.

Neville's ears went red again.

"Florean's my uncle," he muttered. He glanced over at the man who smiled at them before turning to help a family with three small children.

"That's cool!" Harry cried. "You don't have to be embarrassed about it or anything."

"I'm not embarrassed!" Neville snapped. Aria raised an eyebrow. "He's my mum's brother. Grandmother never really . . . well I think she came around to liking my mum eventually . . . but Grandmother's traditional, you know? I mean, in some ways she's not. She's not a blood purist or anything like that. But I know she wanted my dad to marry . . . a little wealthier. The Fortescues are a pureblood family, a decently old one, but they're not the same as the Longbottoms."

"The wizarding world can be so complicated," Aria complained. "If it's not blood someone's complaining about, it's how much money a person's got."

"Uncle Florean's also tried to be named one of my guardians," Neville said. "Right now if something were to happen to my grandmother, Uncle Algie would become my guardian. I don't want that!"

"That's the guy who dropped you out of a window?" Harry asked.

"Yes. And pushed me off a pier. That was in front of some other distant relatives on both sides of my family. Uncle Florean tried to then, but Grandmother put up a fight. She . . . has made it difficult for me to see him." He shoveled a couple spoonfuls of plum into his mouth.

"But enough 'bout me," he said around the food, "what're you guys doing in the Alley?"

"I've been staying here," Harry answered, both he and Aria recognizing when it was time to change the subject. "I accidentally blew up my uncle's sister like a balloon so they don't want me back until next summer."

"And I was meeting with my new account manager at Gringotts," Aria put in. "About the basilisk parts and such. It's put a tidy sum into my bank account."

"The way Ron was going on about it last year, I think it's safe to say it's more than just a tidy little sum," Harry teased. Aria blushed, digging into her coconut ice cream.

"Are you safe here though?" Neville asked Harry. "What with Sirius Black on the loose? That's what's got my grandmother into such a snit. I mean, besides the fact that he's the first person to ever escape Azkaban. And that they're distantly related. And he and my parents were friends."

"Well the Minister set it all up," Harry answered. "So I assume there must be . . . some sort of protection going on? Professor Snape isn't so sure. He came storming into the Leaky last night demanding to know why I was there, if I was okay, if I was safe, it was a whole thing."

"That's my fault," Aria admitted. "I told him where you were. It came out on accident. I didn't realize it was meant to be secret."

"I don't think it is. Anyway, Professor Snape said he'd tell me more about Sirius Black today. He just put up extra wards around my room at the Leaky."

"How you three doing?" Fortescue approached their table, carrying a tray of milkshakes which he placed down in front of them. He leaned a little closer and lowered his voice. "On the house for my favorite nephew and his friends."

"I'm your only nephew," Neville muttered, clearly pleased at the treat. Aria sipped at her milkshake and was pleasantly surprised to taste blueberries.

She was almost done with her milkshake when the bell above the door rang and a sharp voice called out,

"Neville, come here this instant!"

The ice cream parlor fell silent. The few other families looked over at the Dowager Lady Longbottom in all her glory, feathered hat and all. Neville turned in his seat, still sipping at his milkshake.

"I'm drinking my milkshake," he said.

"It's time to leave."

Neville kept drinking until there was nothing left except the loud gurgle of empty glass. Lady Longbottom pursed her lips. Neville set his milkshake glass down.

"I'll see you two later," he murmured, slipping out of his chair.

"Bye, Uncle Florean!" he called across the parlor. The man, standing behind the counter, gave a wave. Lady Longbottom grabbed Neville by the shoulder and the two spun in place, disappearing with a loud pop.

Aria turned to Harry.

"Is it just me, or did Neville grow a bit of a backbone this summer?" she asked. Harry's straw made the same gurgling noise.

"Backbone," he finally said. "I like it. Not that I didn't like him before. But it's good to see him standing up for himself. Even if it's just . . . glaring at his grandmother."

"I'm a bit disappointed actually," Aria admitted, finishing her own milkshake. "Lady Longbottom was so great during the whole Gambol and Sykes thing last year."

"No one's perfect."

"Says you. I'm absolutely perfect. So is Hermione."

"And me?"

"No, absolutely not."

"I think I'll get another shake, just to spill it on your dress."

"You wouldn't!"

"Tell me I'm perfect then."

"Absolutely not. You've already got a big enough head being the Boy-Who-Lived."

That caused several heads to snap in their direction. Realizing her blunder, Aria shot Harry a look of apology before they made a hasty retreat out of the parlor into the crowded stacks of Flourish and Blotts.