Oh my God, oh my God! Merlin, I did it! We made it! The final chapter of Sorcerer's Stone. Next up, Chamber of Secrets. I'm gonna keep working at updating more regularly (for my other fics as well).

I want to give a special thanks to SwordSeer. Thank you, seriously, seeing your reviews have been the motivation I need to pick this fic back up, and I'm glad you've been so interested in it! Don't worry, a big part of developing this story went into figuring out interactions between Susanna and Draco that would make their later relationship unhealthy and tarnished by past cruelty. The current plan is to have them get together in the 5th year, which may seem odd considering Draco's whole plot in Order of the Phoenix, but I've got that all planned out as well. Draco obviously isn't going to be the same person here that he is in canon. [also, I PMed you, we can definitely talk more there ;)].

As always, I only claim my OC. I hope you enjoy this update!

It was interesting, walking with the Headmaster. She wasn't even sure he'd known who she was, other than Harry's cousin. He was busy, after all, as Professor McGonagall had reminded her earlier. And she was nobody special, just a girl related to the most famous wizard alive.

"You are much more clever than I ever imagined you'd be, you know." Professor Dumbledore muttered as they hurried in the direction of the third-floor corridor. Susanna glanced up at him in surprise.

"You've… imagined my cleverness?"

Professor Dumbledore's laugh was light and airy. "Of course. I wondered who Petunia Evans's daughter would grow to become. I must admit, I was shocked when your name was inscribed in our book." She mouthed his words to herself, only getting more confused. "I only knew your father from stories Harry's parents told, but your mother… oh, I know her quite well." Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with a soft fondness. "You share her stubbornness, though not much else."

"Her cruelty, you mean?" Susanna bit her lip, realizing how rude she'd sounded, though the Headmaster's face betrayed no anger. "I used to. I think I still do."

"Children have two options. First, they can follow in their parents' footsteps. They might know nothing else but the comfort of the characteristics they grew up around. Or the second, they can choose to deviate from the norm their parents established, and become the person they wish to be. But that takes faith, and a certain drive to just act on their wishes -"

"To leap without looking." Susanna murmured. "The Sorting Hat, it…"

"Yes." Professor Dumbledore smiled. "It truly does see into the depths of who we are and what we want." The old man grew somber as they turned the corner, and Susanna felt a knot coil in her stomach.

They'd finally reached the third-floor corridor, Fluffy's snarls rolling down the hall. Professor Dumbledore took the lead, whistling as he guided Susanna towards the door. Fluffy began to quiet, and by the time they walked inside the room with the trapdoor, the three-headed dog was drifting into a soft slumber. The redhead watched as the Headmaster waved his hand, and the harp by one of the heft paws began to play. Fluffy's six eyes fluttered shut, but he wasn't quite asleep yet. Susanna shifted her weight, staggering when her foot caught on something. Glancing down, she huffed in disbelief.

Jesus, Harry, she bent down to pick up the discarded invisibility cloak, stuffing it into the pouch of her overalls, stop leaving the rare magical cloak behind.

"Come, we haven't much time." With that, Dumbledore threw himself down the trapdoor. Susanna hurried over, but was only met with darkness.

Go on. Leap. Harry and the others are waiting.

She dove in, screaming as she fell for what felt very much like an hour. She landed on damp vines, but it wasn't long before she slipped through, a burst of light coming from beneath which had whatever she landed on flailing and writhing in pain. Her fall slowed, Professor Dumbledore lowering his wand as soon as the redhead's feet touched the floor. "Devil's Snare."

"Amazing." Susanna grumbled sarcastically, hurring after the professor. The Headmaster led them into another small room, this one strangely echoing with the fluttering of wings. She glanced up in awe at the shining birds flying around, only to find - when one zoomed past her face - that they were not birds. They were keys, though there was nothing to open. The door was already ajar, a broomstick laying just beside it.

"Yes, they were quite clever." She heard Professor Dumbledore murmur in a proud tone, though his shoulders were no less serious. He ran through the doorway, Susanna scurrying after him. It was then that she saw them, Ron and Hermione. The red-haired boy had his arm slung around the bushy-haired girl, limping slightly.

"Susie!" He shouted, and she burst forward to wrap her arms around her friends.

"You three, stay here. I will be back with Mr. Potter shortly." Dumbledore rushed around them, leaving the three friends behind.

"How did you - Harry only just asked me to - Ron took to long to wake, but it's only been ten minutes… we were supposed to write Dumbledore -"

"It isn't Snape, we were wrong!" Susanna quickly interrupted Hermione. "It was Quirrell, this whole time." Then she frowned, looking around at the marbled floor and destroyed statues. "What's all this?"

"Giant Wizard's Chess. It's how I got knocked out, but I still won -"

"How do you know it's Quirrell?" Hermione interjected, Ron huffing irritably.

Susanna smirked. "It turns out, yelling at McGonagall is the best thing I've ever done. Quirrell wrote some note saying he went off to go meet up with an old friend, so Filch supervised my detention. Peeves went on a rampage, and he ran off to deal with it. I decided to leave and try and meet up with you, but after I wrote a note I knocked some stuff off his desk. I found silver drops on the floor. unicorn blood. The trail went all the way up to Quirrell's private chambers, so I broke in. Took a little more finagling, but I cut around the Anti-Alohomora Charm he put on one of his drawers. There were vials of the stuff. I still don't know why had it, my best guess is that he was keeping it safe for Voldemort." She took a deep breath. "I ran back to the common room, hoping you three were still there, but all I found was Neville. I unfroze him, he told me what happened, and then I ran to go find a professor since that seemed like the most logical thing to do, which you should be proud of me for." She pointed at Hermione, who rolled her eyes but smiled all the same. "I ran into McGonagall, and I'm not going to tell you what I said because you won't be proud of me anymore, and I don't want a lecture. All that matters is Snape came, and once he saw what I found, they both listened. McGonagall went to get Professor Dumbledore, and as soon as he arrived he had me follow him down."

Her friends mulled over her story, and then Ron whistled. "Bloody hell, that sounds like an adventure."

Susanna scoffed. "Please, that was nothing. I mean, I did feel a bit like James Bond. You three did all the real work, I wouldn't have made it through the Devil's Snare, you know how much I hate that stupid plant -"

"Hermione nearly didn't, either." Ron began to chortle. "'There's no wood!'"

Hermione flushed. "Shut up."

"She forgot she could do magic - started panicking because she needed to set it on fire, but completely lost her head -"

"Yes, she gets it, Ronald!" Hermione snapped.

Susanna grinned at her fellow redhead, who smirked back.

The mirth faded when footsteps approached, Susanna quick to pull her wand out from the deep pockets of her overalls, pointing it straight ahead. Hermione did the same, Ron still a little too out of sorts to both balance his weight and prepare for a fight.

There was no need to worry, in the end. Professor Dumbledore had returned, Harry floating beside him. Susanna's eyes filled with tears, and the Headmaster held out a hand. "He is alive, but we must get both him and Mr. Weasley to the hospital wing."

"What about Quirrell?" She asked, the three Gryffindors hurrying after the old man and the Boy Who Lived, the girls supporting their red-haired friend.

Professor Dumbledore sighed forlornly. "Dead."

"And Voldemort?" Ron hissed when she said his name.

"Gone. For now."

Susanna exhaled with relief, though it was short-lived. Professor Dumbledore only said he was gone. He could very well come back.

It felt like it was only the beginning.

Susanna sighed for the millionth time, watching her cousin as he slept. The hospital wing was empty of all but the two of them, and while Madam Pomfrey had done her best to kick the girl out, there was something to be said for the stubbornness of Gryffindors - Though, Susanna admitted to herself, Professor Dumbledore's insistence that she be allowed to visit Harry when she liked certainly helped. Madam Pomfrey had given into the Headmaster, but only for Susanna, as she was family. The redhead tried to argue that Hermione and Ron were as well, but the healer wasn't having it.

The doors to the hospital wing opened gently, revealing a harried Madam Pomfrey and the ever-calm Professor Dumbledore. "Thank you, Pomona, I will not stay for very long."

"Of course, sir." Madam Pomfrey sniffed, disappearing into her office.

Professor Dumbledore smiled peacefully at Susanna, coming to stand on Harry's other side. "And how is our young Mr. Potter faring, dear girl?"

"He's being lazier than usual." Susanna jested. "And rude, I swear he doesn't always ignore authority."

"I believe Professor Snape would argue strongly against that fact." The old man laughed at Susanna's snort of agreement.

A soft groan distracted the girl, and redhead looked down at her cousin, lips forming a relieved smile as she watched Harry blink himself away, green eyes bright with confusion. She was quick to gently slide his glasses back on, running her hand through his sleep-mussed hair. His eyes flicked from her to Professor Dumbledore, the Headmaster hovering above the Boy Who Lived.

"Good afternoon, Harry." The old man greeted.

Harry blinked, then gasped. "Sir! The Stone! It was Quirrell! He's got the Stone! Sir, quick -"

"Shh, Harry." Susanna ran her hand through his hair once more, voice softer than a whisper. "It's alright."

"But -"

"Calm yourself, dear boy." Professor Dumbledore grinned pleasantly. "You are a little behind the times. Quirrell does not have the Stone."

"Then who does? Sir, I -"

"Harry, please relax, or Madam Pomfret will have me thrown out." The Headmaster interjected, words stern but tone gentle. Susanna' cousin nodded and swallowed before looking around the hospital wing, eyes growing wide when he saw the table next to him was piled high with sweets. "Tokens from your friends and admirers." Dumbledore explained. "What happened down in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so, naturally, the whole school knows." Susanna snickered under her breath, glad she'd been spending most of her time with Harry. It meant she got to avoid all the questions Ron and Hermione often ran from. "I believe Fred and George Weasley were responsible for trying to send you a toilet seat. No doubt they thought it would amuse you. Madam Pomfrey, however, felt it might not be very hygienic, and confiscated it."

"Or they could just bloody apologize. Sorry." Susanna's cheeks flushed, and she cleared her throat.

Harry started to sit up, and Susanna fixed his pillows to provide additional support. "Thanks. How long have I been in here?"

"Three days. Mr. Ronald Weasley and Ms. Granger will be most relieved you have come round, they have been extremely worried."

"But sir, the Stone -"

"I see you are not to be distracted." Professor Dumbledore responded, amused. "Very well, the Stone. Professor Quirrell did not manage to take it from you. I arrived in time to prevent that, although you were doing very well on your own, I must say."

"You got there?" Harry gasped. "You got Hermione's owl?"

"I'm afraid Ms. Granger had yet to send it. No, it is your cousin you should be thanking." Susanna blushed as both bespectacled gazes fell on her.

"It was nothing."

"Nonsense, Ms. Dursley. She discovered Quirrell had been hiding vials of unicorn blood in his office and was quick to act."

Susanna cleared her throat. "I didn't exactly care why he had it, in the end. I just knew it probably wasn't for anything good. I ran into Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape. They got Dumbledore."

"Don't be so modest, dear girl." The Headmaster argued. "Your swift thinking made it so I was just in time to pull Quirrell off Harry."

Her cousin exhaled with awe. "It was you."

"I feared I might be too late." Susanna squeezed Harry's hand at the old man's confession.

Harry nodded. "You nearly were, I couldn't have kept him off the Stone much longer -"

"Not the Stone, boy, you - the effort involved nearly killed you." Susanna sniffed, Harry squeezing her hand back in confort. "For one terrible moment there, I was afraid it had. As for the Stone, it has been destroyed."

"Destroyed?" Susanna asked, eyebrows furrowed. Had he already told her that, and her concern for her cousin made his words go in one ear and out the other?

"But your friend, Nicolas Flamel -"

"Oh, you know about Nicolas?" Professor Dumbledore asked, perking up in delight. "You did do the thing properly, didn't you? Well, Nicolas and I have had a little chat, and agreed it's all for the best."

"But that means he and his wife will die, won't they?"

Professor Dumbledore hummed. "They have enough Elixir stored to set their affairs in order and then, yes, they will die." The Headmaster hummed. "To those as young as you, I'm sure it seems incredible, but to Nicolas and Perenelle, it really is like going to bed after a very, very long day. After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure. You know, the Stone was really not such a wonderful thing. As much money and life as you could want! The two things most human beings would choose above all - the trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worse for them."

Both cousins were speechless for a few moments, soaking in Professor Dumbledore's wise words. Harry was the first to recover, clearing his throat so the Headmaster would look from the ceiling to him. "Sir? I've been thinking. Sir - even if the Stone's gone, Vol-I mean, You-Know-Who -"

"Call him Voldemort, Harry." Professor Dumbledore's tone gave no room for argument. "Always use the proper name for things. Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself." He advised.

Harry and Susanna both nodded. "Yes, sir. Well, Voldemort's going to try other ways of coming back isn't he? I mean, he hasn't gone, has he?"

The Headmaster shook his head, frowning at the Boy Who Lived. "No, Harry, he has not. He is still out there somewhere, perhaps looking for another body to share… not truly alive, he cannot be killed. He left Quirrell to die; he shows just as little mercy to his followers as his enemies." The old man sighed. "Nevertheless, Harry, while you may only have delayed his return to power, it will merely take someone else who is prepared to fight what seems a losing battle next time - and if he is delayed again, and again, why, he may never return to power."

"That's not very reassuring." Susanna huffed, and Professor Dumbledore's lips twisted into a slight smile.

"No. I am afraid it's not."

Harry took a deep breath. "Sir, there are some other things I'd like to know, if you can tell me… things I want to know the truth about…"

"The truth." Professor Dumbledore hummed. "It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution. However, I shall answer your questions unless I have a very good reason not to, in which case I beg you'll forgive me. I shall not, of course, lie."

"Well…" Harry began, cautious. "Voldemort said that he only killed my mother because she tried to stop him from killing me. But why would he want to kill me in the first place?"

Professor Dumbledore sighed deeply, shaking his head apologetically. "Alas, the first thing you ask me, I cannot tell you. Not today. Not now. You will know, one day. Put it from your mind for now Harry - you as well, Susanna, I see the arguments forming in your eyes. When you are older. I know you hate to hear this… when you are ready, you will know."

Susanna kept her mouth shut, knowing it'd do no good to argue. Harry looked even more disappointed than his cousin, but said nothing against the Headmaster's statement either.

"But why couldn't Quirrell touch me?"

"Your mother died to save you." Professor Dumbledore explained, and Susanna squeezed Harry's hand once more, moving to sit beside him on his bed. "If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn't realize that love as powerful as your mother's for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign… to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin. Quirrell, full of hatred, greed, and ambition, sharing his soul with Voldemort, could not touch you for this reason. It was agony to touch a person marked by something so good."

The Headmaster noticed the cousins' eyes filling with unshed tears and was quick to become intrigued by a bird on the windowsill. Harry and Susanna dried their eyes, the redhead wrapping her arms around the boy as gently as possible, murmuring words of comfort - promises that he was not alone, that he was loved, not just by his mom and dad, but by her, too.

"And the invisibility cloak - do you know who sent it to me?" Harry croaked out, and Susanna couldn't help the scoff that escaped her mouth.

"Oh, so now you remember it - I found it crumpled on the ground by Fluffy, you're lucky he didn't make a mess of it." She scolded him. Harry laughed, Professor Dumbledore chuckling as well.

"Ah - your father happened to leave it in my possession, and I thought you might like it." The Headmaster's eyes twinkled. "Useful things… your father used it mainly for sneaking off to the kitchen to steal food when he was here. Of course, your cousin is right - try and keep a closer eye on it." He teased kindly.

"And there's something else…"

"Fire away." Professor Dumbledore gestured for Harry to continue while Susanna wondered just how many questions her cousin had.

"Quirrell said Snape -"

"Professor Snape, Harry." Professor Dumbledore corrected, Susanna snickering as Harry wrinkled her nose in distaste.

"Yes, him - Quirrell said he hates me because he hated my father. Is that true?"

Susanna grew serious, and she stared at the Headmaster as she waited for him to answer. "Well," the old man started, "they did rather detest each other. Not unlike yourself and Mr. Malfoy." Professor Dumbledore hummed in amusement at Susanna's little groan. How could Draco have been so kind on the train, and then awful ever since? "I see it's something else you share with your cousin." The Headmaster cleared his throat, smiling. "And then, your father did something Snape could never forgive."

"What?" Harry asked, leaning forward.

"He saved his life."

"What?"

"Yes," Professor Dumbledore began, tone dreamy. "Funny, the way people's minds work, isn't it? Professor Snape couldn't bear being in your father's debt… I do believe he worked so hard to protect you this year because he felt that would make him and your father even. Then he could go back to hating your father's memory in peace…"

"And hating Harry, too, right?" Susanna accused. "Harry wasn't even alive back then. How is that fair to my cousin."

"Professor Snape does not hate Harry. He's simply struggling to separate him from his father's memory."

Susanna hummed in disbelief, and Harry cleared his throat to keep her from saying anything she might regret later. "Sir? There's one more thing -"

"Just the one?" Professor Dumbledore teased once more while Susanna laughed, her cousin glaring over at her before refocusing on the old man.

"How did I get the Stone out of the mirror?"

"Ah, now, I'm glad you asked me that." The Headmaster grinned. "It was one of my more brilliant ideas, and between you and me, that's saying something. You see, only the one who wanted to find the Stone - find it, but not use it - would be able to get it, otherwise they'd just see themselves making gold or drinking the Elixir of Life. My brain surprises even me sometimes." He winked at the smiling cousins, both clearly enjoying his little tale. "Now, enough questions. I suggest you make a start on these sweets. Ah! Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans!" Professor Dumbledore grinned and picked up the box, thin fingers deftly opening it. "I was unfortunate enough in my youth to come across a vomit flavored one, and since then I'm afraid I've rather lost my liking for them - but I think I'll be safe with a nice toffee, don't you?" He held up a beige-colored bean, Susanna wrinkling her nose - there's a reason she didn't touch them after Ron listed off the flavors on the Hogwarts Express. "Alas!" Professor Dumbledore choked through his smile, struggling to swallow the bean. "Ear wax!"

Vindication, Susanna grimaced while Harry laughed.

Madam Pomfrey, while having let Professor Dumbledore in, was much more strict when it came to Harry's other visitors.

"Just five minutes!" Harry pleaded, Susanna hovering by the closed door to let Hermione and Ron in regardless of what the stern healer said.

"Absolutely not! Ms. Dursley, I hear you trying to open the door!" She called over her shoulder, glaring the young Gryffindor into submission. Susanna pouted, but kept her hand on the knob all the same.

"You let Professor Dumbledore in -"

"Well, of course, that was the Headmaster, quite different." Madam Pomfrey waved off his argument. "You need rest."

"I am resting, look, lying down and everything. Oh, go on, Madam Pomfrey." Harry pleaded.

The woman sighed. "Oh, very well. But five minutes only! Alright, Ms. Dursley, you may open the door."

Hermione and Ron burst, shoving past Susanna in their effort to reach her cousin. Madam Pomfrey rolled her eyes and stepped back into her office, but made a point of keeping her door open. "Harry!" Hermione shouted, barely keeping herself from flinging her arms around the Boy Who Lived, less cautious about the move than Susanna had been. She settled for touching his arm instead, squeezing just beneath his shoulder. "Oh, Harry, we were sure you were going to - Dumbledore was so worried -"

"The whole school's talking about it!" Ron interrupted, huffing when Susanna shoved him out of the way as payback for his entry. "What really happened? Has he told you?" He looked to the other redhead, who shook her head.

"I only know bits and pieces of what Professor Dumbledore explained."

Harry cleared his throat, grinning. "It's quite the story…"

Susanna listened with pride and horror as Harry told them just what happened with Quirrell, Voldemort, and the Stone. While she was in awe of just how brave her cousin was, going to confront who he thought was Professor Snape - not that she had any doubt he'd do something so recklessly bold - she shuddered in terror at the idea of Harry taking him on. But to hear Voldemort himself was hidden under Professor Quirrell's turban?

She squeaked, and Hermione screamed.

Once Susanna collected herself, she exhaled. "Though, that does explain it."

"Explain what?" Harry asked.

"All the unicorn blood I found… in his private office… right, sorry, didn't tell you." The redhead realized, Harry having tilted his head in confusion. "Quirrell wasn't there for my detention. Filch watched me instead, until Peeves wreaked havoc in the halls. Filch ran out, and I was trying to leave and find you when I knocked something off Quirrell's desk. When I went to pick it up, I saw dried unicorn blood. I followed the trail up to his room, and it ended at his bedside table. The drawer was locked -"

"Anti-Alohomora Charm. She cut around it, the sneak." Ron joked, Susanna sneering back at him.

Harry only laughed. "Always figuring out how to get your way, eh?"

She shrugged. "Whatever, it worked. I went to go show you what I found - I grabbed a few vials and cleaned up after myself - but you were gone by the time I got to the common room. I unfroze Neville, then I found Professor McGonagall. I might have been expelled if Professor Snape hadn't shown up. As soon as I showed him what I found, he had Professor McGonagall get Professor Dumbledore. Which was a good thing, too, seeing as how Ron and Hermione were still on the giant chess set by the time the Headmaster and I made it down."

As Harry hummed in agreement, Ron cleared his throat. "So the Stone…" the red-haired boy began, "it's gone? Flamel's just going to die?"

"That's what I said!" Harry exclaimed, Susanna nodding in agreement. "But Dumbledore thinks that - what was it?" He turned to his cousin, who hunched her shoulders slightly and began to stroke an invisible beard.

"'To the well-organized mind,'" she imitated - rather poorly - their Headmaster, "'death is but the next great adventure.'"

"I always said he was off his rocker!" Ron laughed.

"That's not all - three guesses who sent Harry his dad's cloak."

Ron gasped. "No, really? Bloody hell." He turned to the Boy Who Lived, frowning slightly. "D'you think he meant you to do it? Sending you your father's cloak and everything?"

Susanna paused, mulling his words unhappily. It was Hermione who exploded, though, her rage practically frying her already frizzy hair. "Well! If he did - I mean to say, that's terrible! You could have been killed!"

"No, it isn't." Harry argued calmly, risking a glance at his angry cousin. "He's a funny man, Dumbledore. I think he sort of wanted to give me a chance. I think he knows more or less everything that goes on here, you know. I reckon he had a pretty good idea we were going to try, and instead of stopping us, he just taught us enough to help. I don't think it was an accident he let me find out how the mirror worked. It's almost like he thought I had the right to face Voldemort if I could…"

Susana huffed, crossing her arms in distaste. "If you're so sure, Freak." Harry snorted, sharing a soft smile with his cousin.

Ron whistled. "Yeah, Dumbledore's off his rocker, alright!" He said with pride, Hermione rolling her eyes at how impressed he was by batty Professor Dumbledore. "Listen, you've got to be up for the end-of-year feast tomorrow. The points are all in and Slytherin won, of course - you missed the last Quidditch match, we were steamrolled by Ravenclaw without you - but the food'll be good."

Harry's head whipped back to his cousin. "Why didn't you tell me we lost?"

Susanna gasped in offense. "I was by your side the whole time, ungrateful, specky git! I was too busy worrying about you to care about the match."

Both Harry and Ron were gearing up for an argument, Hermione leaning forward to back up Susanna, when Madam Pomfrey bustled over, face screwed in irritation. "You've had nearly fifteen minutes, now OUT! You as well, Ms. Dursley - your cousin needs his rest."

"He just 'rested' for four days!" Susanna argued.

"Now! Or I'm banning you entirely!"

"Well, that's not right - what happens if I get injured? Oi, Hermione, let me go!" Susanna cried out, trying to escape her best friend's grip.

"We're leaving. Thank you, Madam Pomfrey." Hermione smiled politely. "Ronald!"

"Yeah, yeah - glad you're up, mate. See you tomorrow!" Ron called back to Harry over his shoulder.

"I'll pick you up!" Susanna swore, her cousin laughing as she continued arguing with Hermione as she was dragged away from the hospital wing.

Susanna sighed as she broke away from the Gryffindors walking towards the Great Hall, heading in the direction of the hospital wing. While it'd been nice sleeping in her actual bed and not one of the cots, at least she had some peace when watching over her cousin - even though she was mostly worried. She'd spent most of the early evening trying to avoid her housemates' questions, with Lavender, Padma, and Pavarti still gossiping when they thought she was asleep.

"Susie-Wusie!"

"Susie-Q!" Susanna groaned as her ears picked up the Weasley twins' voices. She turned to face Fred and George, shifting her weight awkwardly.

"What?" She kept her response short.

Fred frowned. "We just… we wanted to say -"

"We're sorry." George interrupted.

"Yeah. We should have just said it -"

"Instead of trying to prank you -"

"To get your attention. But we really are sorry."

"Very sorry."

"And we're glad we risked our own necks -"

"To get Peeves to distract Filch the other night -"

"And help you sneak out of detention with Quirrell." Fred finished with a little smile.

Susanna only hummed, raising an eyebrow. "You don't have to apologize to me. You should be apologizing to Harry, Hermione, and Neville. But especially my cousin. How dare you two act like you haven't lost Gryffindor more points than they did? Granted, it might not have been all at once, but it adds up!"

"You're right, she's right." George acknowledged.

Fred suddenly dropped to his knees, hands clasped. George quickly copied him. "Oh, fair Susie-Wusie. We have wrong you and yours so. Please, forgive us!"

"We are in your debt!"

'Oi, George - too far, you never know what she'll make us do." Fred hissed, though he winked good naturedly.

Susanna held in her mirth for all of a breath before bursting into laughter, lunging forward to wrap them both in a hug as they stood to return the gesture. "You're forgiven. But the next time you act like a couple of prats, I'll end you."

"What a frightening little girl." Fred commented, George ruffling her hair. "See you at the feast!"

"And tell Lee he owes Harry an apology, too!" Susanna called after them, snorting as the twins waved her off. She snorted before continuing her journey, shoving the hospital wing door open carelessly.

"Ms. Dursley!" Madam Pomfrey called, wrinkling her nose when she went ignored.

"I'm here for a jailbreak. Up and at 'em, Freak, I'm hungry." Susanna crowed, quieting when she saw Harry flipping through a thick book. "Research? But the Stone's -"

"It's my parents." He whispered, showing her the cover. James and Lily smiled on the front, holding baby Harry's hand to help him wave at the photographer. "Hagrid made it, he felt so guilty, you should have seen him - he, uh…" Harry sniffled. "He wrote to all of mum and dad's old friends, asking for photos. They were so happy." He commented.

Susanna sat beside him, joining her cousin in tearfully flicking through the pages. "They loved you so much. I'm sorry Voldemort took them from you. You would've had a much better life. I will never not be sorry -"

"Suze, come on…"

"No. I was awful. And the rest of my family still is."

"They're cruel to you, too."

Susanna shrugged. "Mum's not too bad, but that makes me feel guilty, too. That she can be kind to me, but so horrid towards you, even though we're both magic."

"I know." He pulled her into a hug. "You know, I like to think that if my parents… if Voldemort hadn't killed him…"

"I'd be living with you? Most likely. Mum can't say 'no' to my dad, he'd have shipped me off to uncle James and aunt Lily in a heartbeat if it meant the neighbors wouldn't talk."

Harry smiled. "See? We'd still be like siblings. It'd still be you and me, no matter how terrible you were before."

Susanna sighed and moved away from his embrace, wiping away her tears. "Yeah, whatever. I'm hungry."

Harry laughed, quickly closing the curtain so that he could change while Susanna waited almost-patiently by the hospital wing door. As soon as he was dressed in his school robes, the two cousins made a mad dash for the feast stomachs rumbling. Their spirits fell once they walked through the open doors, the Great Hall decked out in Slytherin colors - green and silver flags embroidered with snakes were hung around, and a large banner with the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the high table. All of it to celebrate Slytherin's seventh House Cup in a row.

Susanna spared a glance at the table full of snacks, sitting smug. Pansy Parkinson grinned dangerously back at her, the temporary fear of the Gryffindor post-Flipendo incident overridden by the fact Slytherin came out on top yet again.

On top of that, there was a sudden hush in the packed Great Hall as soon as the cousins entered - more specifically, upon Harry's arrival. A few seconds later, everybody started talking, more than a few pointing at Harry like he was some sort of zoo animal. "Maybe they like your haircut?" Susanna guessed as they walked towards Hermione and Ron.

"You're hilarious."

"Thank you." Susanna grinned back, pretending she didn't hear his sarcasm.

The cousins sat down across from Ron and Hermione, Professor Dumbledore arriving to the feast moments later. The babble faded once more as he held up his hands for silence. "Another year gone!" He cheerfully announced. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were… you have a whole summer to get them nice and empty before next year starts…"

"Consider mine empty now." Susanna quietly joked, snorting Hermione nudged her shin - though she shook her head in amusement.

"Now, as I understand it, the House Cup needs awarding." Most of the hall - save the Slytherins - groaned in exasperation, though Professor Dumbledore continued smiling as if they'd cheered instead. "In fourth place, Gryffindor, with two hundred and sixty-two points." Susanna winced. "In third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two. In second, Ravenclaw, with four hundred and twenty-six points. And in first place, with four hundred and seventy-two points, Slytherin."

Before he could even finish, the Slytherin table began to cheer and stamp in glee. Susanna eyed Draco banging his goblet on the table like some sort of medieval idiot and rolled her eyes. So much for the elite's decorum. Mother and father would pitch a fit at his inelegance, Susannna thought before pausing, a frown slipping on her face that had nothing to do with Slytherin's win. In almost two weeks, she and Harry would be back at Privet Drive. How would things be different? Would they be different? Did Dudley enjoy Smeltings? Was the tail-removal successful? She'd have asked, but her parents wouldn't have responded. They wouldn't have even entertained a letter delivered by an owl.

"Yes, yes, well done - well done, Slytherin!" Professor Dumbledore shouted, rousing Susanna from her musings and reluctantly quieting the snakes. "However, recent events must be taken into account. Ahem," the Headmaster cleared his throat, smiling mischievously, "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes… first, to Mr. Ronald Weasley, for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor fifty points."

Susanna clapped and laughed as Ron's face turned purple, though her smile was nothing less than proud. The rest of the Gryffindors cheered, Percy shouting at anyone who would listen, "My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!"

When silence fell upon the Great Hall once more, Professor Dumbledore began what Susanna was sure was technically cheating, but considering her cousin, friends, and herself had risked their lives - even if Susanna wasn't able to join them for the challenges - to stop Voldemort, they earned the extra points. Especially because one hundred and fifty were taken without Professor McGonagall actually looking into their claims. Come on, of course Hagrid had a dragon! He had a three-headed dog, what more did McGonagall need to believe them?

"Second, to Ms. Hermione Granger… for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

Susanna cheered loudly, wishing she was on the other side to pull her friend into a hug. Hermione had become rather emotional, burying her face in her arms. The redhead settled for grabbing the other girl's forearms and squeezing, whispering words of praise. If the Susanna from the beginning of the school year could see herself now…

"Third, to Ms. Susanna Dursley," Susanna instantly froze, heart dropping to her stomach and her blood pumping loud enough for her ears to hear it, "for her tenacity in searching for the truth and unwillingness to go unheard, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

"Suze!" Harry shouted, wrapping his shocked cousin into a hug. She barely registered the rest of her housemates congratulating her, though she did smile when Neville reached around a dancing Seamus to pat her shoulder.

"Third," Professor Dumbledore started once more, eyes growing brighter, "to Mr. Harry Potter…" the Great Hall went as still as stone. "For pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."

It was deafening. Those keeping count - Susanna included, once she got over her shock - knew, as Hermione managed to yell to the cousins and Ron, Gryffindor was "tied with Slytherin!"

Before Susanna could wonder out loud if that was it - if they were going to be sharing the House Cup, Professor Dumbledore raised his hand, smiling. "There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Neville Longbottom."

"Nev!" Susanna screamed, shooting up from her seat and rushing around Seamus to grab Neville into a hug. "I'm sorry for what Hermione did, but I'm so damn proud of you for telling them off!" Susanna hoped he heard her over the roaring applause, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw having joined in the celebration of Slytherin's defeat. "You keep standing up for yourself, Longbottom."

"Tha-thanks, Susanna." Neville stammered out in shock. "You're a good frie-" He managed to get out, just before disappearing under a pile of their housemates. Susanna shook her head happily, continuing to cheer with the others.

"Which means," Dumbledore shouted over the storm of applause, "a change of decoration is in order!" He clapped his hands, and the green hanging changed from silver and green to scarlet and gold, the Slytherin serpent turning into Gryffindor's massive lion. Susanna caught Professor Snape shaking Professor McGonagall's hand with a forced smile, her Head of House smirking like the cat who got the cream, which made perfect sense considering she could turn into one at will.

Susanna glanced away from the faculty table, exchanging wide grins with Harry.

They'd done it, they'd made it through their first year in the magical world in one piece - give or take a couple of scratches.

In the chaos of Quirrell, Voldemort, and the Stone, Susanna had almost forgotten about the exam results. Her highest mark was in Potions, though that was unsurprising. What was surprising was that she managed to pass Astronomy, but just barely.

Harry and Ron received good marks as well, with Hermione having come out top of the class. And while Susanna no longer felt the need to compete with her friend - she had nothing to prove to her, after all that time - Susanna did quietly celebrate the fact she'd done better than Hermione in Potions, though admittedly not by much.

Soon enough, her bed was stripped, her wardrobe and desk emptied, her trunk packed. Professor McGongall personally handed her a note warning the redhead against using magic at home - not that Susanna planned on using it, anyway. Not with her family being who they were. She'd just spent ten months free of her parents' control, and felt an almost overwhelming anxiety at the idea that she'd be back under their thumbs soon enough. Indeed, in the days leading up to hers and Harry's return to Privet Drive, Susanna felt herself slipping into old fears she thought she'd kicked to the curb. Hermione had walked in on her stretching every night, nearly panicking when her front splits didn't completely touch the floor. After the end-of-year feast, she ate only some chicken and mostly salad every lunch and dinner, skipping breakfast or sticking to fruits and eggs. Harry couldn't even tempt her with any sweets. Whenever they'd ask, she'd make a joke about wanting to be in top-condition the next time they had to save the school.

Neither her cousin nor their friends were amused.

Still, she wasn't starving herself, she was simply choosing to eat healthy… in the hopes her mother wouldn't notice she hadn't been.

Hagrid accompanied the first years to Hogsmeade Station again, escorting them first on the boats. Hades would not be parted from his human, and curled around her shoulders while eyeing the Black Lake distrustfully. The four Gryffindors parted from the gamekeeper with bone-crushing hugs and teary eyes. Harry and Susanna waved out their window at the man who'd introduced them to their new world, only sitting down when the train had rolled too far for Hagrid to be visible.

"It feels strange to be going home, doesn't it?" Hermione asked as the train rushed through the countryside.

"We're not going home, not really." Harry responded, sharing a sad smile with his cousin just before asking Ron if he'd gotten any new cards for his collection. Susanna pulled Hermione into a discussion about next year's curriculum, and their shared hope for a competent Defense professor. Harry and Ron both paused to agree with them, all four wondering if there could even be anyone worse than Quirrell.

It was only when they reached King's Cross that a forgotten memory came to Susanna's mind. "I just thought of something." She said to Ron as they followed Harry and Hermione off the train, lugging their trunks with them - Hades had slunk back into his carrier, much to both his and his human's chagrin. "Over the Christmas holidays, Fred and George sent a bunch of snowballs after Professor Quirrell. They kept hitting him in the back of the head."

"Yeah, and?" Ron grunted.

"That means they were really throwing snowballs at Voldemort's face. Should we tell them?" Susanna asked with a fond smile, having completely forgiven the twins once they apologized to Harry, Hermione, and Neville.

Ron paled, then shook his head. "Are you crazy? Merlin, no, they're insufferable enough as it is!"

Susanna snorted, vowing to tell them later.

It took some time to get off platform nine and three-quarters, the old guard at the ticket barrier only letting them out of the gate in twos and threes. Hermione went a few groups ahead of them, sharing long hugs with her friends, as well as her family's telephone number. As the other three waited in the queue, Ron smiled eagerly at the cousins. "You must come and stay this summer. Both of you - and Hermione, I'll write her." The redhead promised with a big smile.

"Sounds wonderful." Susanna grinned.

Harry nodded in agreement. "Thanks. We'll need something to look forward to."

"There's that eternal optimism." His cousin quipped.

Ron was the first to pass through the gate, followed by Susanna and then Harry. As soon as her cousin made it through, they all heard a little voice shout, "There he is, mum, there he is - look!" It was Ron's younger sister, Ginny, though she wasn't talking about her brother. "Harry Potter!" She squeaked, tugging on her mother's arm. "Look, mom, I can see -"

"Be quiet, Ginny." Mrs. Weasley smiled warmly at the three Gryffindors. "Busy year?"

"Very." Harry responded, sharing brief looks with his cousin and friend. "Thanks for the fudge and the sweater, Mrs. Weasley."

"Yes, thank you so much, you didn't have to -"

"Oh, but it was nothing, dears." Mrs. Weasley waved both Harry and Susanna off. "Ron spoke so highly of you!"

Susanna smirked over at Ron. "You wrote about me to your mother?" His cheeks flushed.

"Whatever. You're one of my best mate's, of course I did."

Her smile got wider, and she wrapped him in a hug. "Your mine and Harry's, too. I don't think we would've made it through this year without you… and Hermione, but that goes without saying." They both turned to look at Harry. "I'll take care of him."

"And yourself, too. I know… I know you think you have to…" Ron trailed off, clearly unsure what to say. He settled on a soft look and gentle voice. "You're amazing, Susie. Don't ever let anyone make you think otherwise."

"I'll try not to." Susanna promised.

"Ready, are you?" Both she and Harry jumped at the gruff voice, having nearly forgotten what it sounded like.

Her father stood before them, purple-faced as ever. His mustache remained unchanged, as did his glare when he gazed upon his daughter and nephew, especially when he noted the caged owl in Harry's hand. Both her mother and brother looked terrified, barely sparing the witch and wizard a glance in favor of taking in the other departing magical families.

"You must be Harry and Susanna's family!" Mrs. Weasley acknowledged the newcomers cheerfully.

"In a manner of speaking." Susanna's father growled. "Hurry up, you two, we haven't got all day." Susanna exhaled sharply as he walked away, her mother and brother quickly following after him. Mrs. Weasley appeared suitably unimpressed, but became distracted by the arrival of Percy and her twins.

"I suspect I'll be seeing you both sooner rather than later." Ron observed, scowling after the cousins' unsavory family. "But have a good holiday, until then. Write whenever."

"We will." Susanna hugged Ron as Harry began to grin.

"Don't worry," he began, hugging Ron briefly before stepping away to wrap an arm around his cousin's shoulder, "they don't know we're not allowed to use magic at home." Susanna began to smile as well. "We're going to have a lot of fun this summer."

And with that, the two cousins walked away from the gate to platform nine and three-quarters, already counting down the days until September 1st.

Then they'd get to go back home.