After class got out Friday afternoon, Harry, Tallulah and Othniel made their way to their common room to get started on their Herbology essays. They didn't make much headway when a cheerful hello interrupted their schoolwork. Harry was the first to turn around; he couldn't help but grin when he saw Nova grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh, hey there, Nova," greeted Harry. "What's new?"

Nova shrugged. "Not much, really – TMIF!" Othniel cocked his head in confusion; Tallulah giggled and whispered the meaning in his ear. "Anyway Harry, d'you mind if I see you for a sec? In private?"

Harry nodded, and took his leave from his classmates. He followed Nova to the opposite side of the common room, and took his seat across from her.

"So… did you owl your aunt, uncle, and godfather about Thanksgiving by any chance?" Nova asked in a soft voice. "I know it's two months away, but I'd feel better if you went ahead and asked them early instead of making it a last-minute surprise."

"I did," replied Harry. "I sent it out earlier this week. I haven't heard back yet, but it may be another week as Surrey in Canada is just about as far away as the Surrey in England."

"Thank you," whispered Nova with appreciation. "I've been longing for this opportunity ever since I got my acceptance letters from Hogwarts and Ilvermorny. I can't help but feel overwhelmed… there's so many questions I have for my birth parents."

"I'll do my best to let you reconnect with them and not get in the way," offered Harry. "Besides, it'd be an opportunity to spend some quality one-on-one time with my godfather." A smile slowly crept on his face. "Oh, and Professor Lupin will be joining us. I don't know if he told you, but he's an old friend of the family."

Nova nodded. "Yes, he's told me that he's a friend of my parents and Sirius Black. But I wasn't aware that they invited him to join us. I'm not going to lie, it might be a little awkward having a teacher over…"

"I think it'd be cool," countered Harry. "He says I can call him Remus outside of class… so when he's not teaching, he's kind of like another Sirius."

Nova groaned. "Lucky. He never told me I could call him by his first name."

"I haven't called him Remus yet," admitted Harry. "I mean, I've known him for less than a month… I may do it in time, but the comfort level just isn't there yet." He grinned at his friend. "By the way, you haven't told me… did you make the Horned Serpent quidditch team yet?"

Nova returned the smile, and nodded. "As a matter of fact, I found out earlier this week. I'm made it as a reserve chaser again. I was hoping to be a starter, but the sport's dominated by upperclassmen, so it'd probably be at least another year before I crack the starting rotation, maybe two." She shrugged. "Don't get me wrong, I'm just glad to be a part of the team."

"Hey, just making the team is a pretty big deal," said Harry. "And I'm sure Ana told you she made the Quiz Bowl team?"

Nova's eyes widened. "Of course… and that girl is unreal, Harry. There are sixth and seven year students that tried out and didn't make it. A second-year student on the Quiz Bowl team is rare enough, but to be selected as a starter? That happens just a couple of times per generation…"

"I'm very happy for her," replied Harry. "She's not just smart; she studies her rear end off. She really deserved her spot." He tilted his head just a few degrees. "Another personal question, if I may?"

Nova smiled sweetly. "I suppose that depends on how personal your question might be." She wasn't able to let a small, high-pitched giggle escape. "Fire away, mate."

"Soooo," Harry began, "d'you regret choosing Ilvermorny over Hogwarts? I know you wanted to escape your grandparents and all…"

"There are days I do," admitted Nova with a small sigh. "It's where my father went… where my grandparents went… where many of my forebears went. Ilvermorny isn't as ancient as Hogwarts, but it's every bit the academic powerhouse that Hogwarts is… and in some ways, it's actually superior. Hogwarts is prestigious, but the British wizarding world is stodgy to a fault; they dislike change so much that a lot of the stuff on their curriculum hasn't been changed in two hundred years."

Nova shook her head, and forced a small smile. "For the record, I don't hate my grandparents… far from it. I truly love them as I never went without; they were firm but very loving… but as I've told you before, they uphold certain ideals that I disagree with, even though they've tried to instill them in me since I was a very small child." She let out a small, frustrated groan. "They weren't shielding me by covering things up – much of which I deserve to know – they were just shielding themselves from their own shame."

Her eyes welled with tears. "I don't care that my actual mum's a Muggle… a no-maj. From what you've told me, she sounds like a super sweet lady that would have encouraged me to study magic even though she isn't magical herself. I can't wait to meet her."

"Why didn't you just accept your grandparents' views?" asked Harry. "I mean, most kids fall in line with how they were raised…"

"Because I know right from wrong," Nova replied. "How would you like it if you were told that you couldn't attend a magical school because you were born to a nonmagical family? Or if you were denied a prestigious position in MACUSA or the Ministry of Magic because your grandmother was a Muggle-born? It's such bullshit because a lot of witches and wizards that come from pureblood or Old Money families are pitiful when it comes to magical prowess or leadership skills. There are so many from outside the inner circle that deserve a shot, but just don't because they have the wrong last name."

Harry shrugged. "I… I guess I never really thought about it that way. I don't really have a strong opinion one way or the other because I'm still quite new to the wizarding world…"

"If I had to guess, as you're the Boy-Who-Lived, they had to restrain themselves magically, and limit what information they told you about the magical world," Nova said. "I know it doesn't mean much to you here, but you're a very big deal in Magical Britain." There was another high-pitched giggle. "Oh Harry, I can't imagine all the little groupie witches surrounding you, begging for an autograph… or a date to the Three Broomsticks!"

Harry gave Nova the biggest eye-roll he was able.

Nova winked at Harry. "And you can deny it all you want, but I think you've got a little bit of a crush on Anastasia…"

"Do not," Harry roared with defiance.

"She's a rare breed, Harry," Nova squeaked. "Most witches aren't nearly as smart or as pretty as her…"

"She's a friend, and nothing more," grumbled Harry.

Nova giggled again. "You say that now, Potter, but just wait a couple of years… you'll change your tune. And I also guarantee you'll have competition for her affections…"

Harry could only glare at Nova. "Can we… can we just change the subject already?"

Nova gestured toward Othniel and Tallulah. "I've probably taken enough of your time, so I'll let you get back to your homework."

The following Friday at Hogwarts, Daphne Greengrass all but squealed with delight as she got her second letter from Anastasia. She took a couple of whiffs of the envelope before opening it.

"What's it smell like?" asked Lavender. "My namesake, perhaps?"

Daphne shook her head and smiled. "No, it smells faintly of hibiscus. Anastasia's got good taste." Her smile grew broader and broader as she went through the letter.

"Oh, it looks like Anastasia sent a picture or two this time," noted Parvati. "I'm curious to know what she looks like!"

Daphne's face practically glowed when she got to the photos. "Oh Merlin," she squeaked. "She's very pretty… she looks so beautiful in her formal robes – her hair's gorgeous! And her daily uniform… I'm so jealous! I wish we had those!"

"Let me see," beckoned Parvati. She let out a joyful squeak. "You weren't kidding, Daph. She really is a lovely girl…" She turned to her other side, and threw a silly grin at another young Gryffindor girl in her year. "I told you it's possible to be both bright and attractive, Hermione," she giggled. "Daphne's pen pal Anastasia can pull it off… why can't you?"

Hermione Granger bore a certain physical resemblance to Anastasia, but her medium-brown hair was exceptionally bushy, and instead of an impeccable smile, she wore a rather uncomfortable set of stainless steel braces on her teeth. "I have better things to do than to primp and preen for an hour each morning," she mumbled.

Lavender let out a high-pitched giggle. "Yeah, it takes a metalmouth like you about an hour just to take off that hideous headgear you have to sleep in and brush your teeth, so I can see why you don't… aaaigh!"

Daphne chucked Lavender in the shoulder. "That wasn't very nice, you know." She then smiled at Hermione. "You're perfectly cute just the way you are."

Hermione smiled weakly at Daphne. "Thanks," she said in a soft, shy voice. "You know how self-conscious I am about my teeth. I still have to wear these nasty things for two more years…"

"I don't know much about Muggle technology," admitted Daphne, "but if they really are meant to straighten your teeth… I'm sure you'll have a gorgeous smile when it's all said and done." Her smile broadened. "I know you don't think you're very attractive, but that couldn't be further from the truth. If you want us to help you with your hair or anything, ask us! We'll be glad to help!"

Hermione nodded slowly, before returning to her Miss Marple book. "I'll… I'll think about it."

Daphne flashed a smile at her housemate. "I hope you like the book we got you for your birthday. I'm afraid we still don't know you all that well, so it's the best we could do, short-notice…"

Hermione smiled coyly at Daphne. "I really do… it was so thoughtful and unexpected. I've never gotten a birthday present from outside my family before… thank you so much. I'll be sure to return the favor, whenever that is…"

Daphne giggled. "It's a ways off… the first of June."

Hermione broadened her smile. "That won't be hard to remember."

That afternoon, when Daphne and her roommates returned to the Gryffindor common room for their free period, she began writing her reply to Ana:

"20 September 1991

Dear Anastasia,

Thanks for writing back! I just got your letter this morning and I love your photos… you're a very pretty girl yourself! You look divine in your formal robes (the teal and gold motif is a flattering look for you!), and I'm so jealous of your daily uniform – I wish we wore something like that instead of these itchy things all the time!

Old Money and Commoners, huh? That just sounds like different terms for the same concept as in Magical Britain – the same groups are always in charge and everybody else is left to fight over the scraps. It's a bunch of B.S. if you ask me, and I belong to what you'd call an "Old Money" family!

Wow, you're on the Quiz Bowl team as a second-year? That's, very, very impressive… I'll be pulling for the Horned Serpents! It would be so cool if you came to Hogwarts to compete – I'd love to meet you in person! And I'm sure my housemates would love to meet you too!

I knew we had some common ground… my mum makes the best lasagna ever! I've never had it Muggle-style, but I'm sure it's really tasty too! And I'll be honest – I've never had tacos before. I guess it's more of a thing in the States? I'll try and make it a point to visit one day!

With love from Hogwarts,

Daphne"