"Wait a moment, Harry," Remus called as the students started filtering out of the classroom once the lesson was over. "I'd like a word," Harry hesitated, looking from Professor to Lupin to Grace, Hermione and Ron, and nodded. Ron and Hermione told him they'd see him later as they left, but Grace lingered. "Yes, Grace, I suppose you can stay too," he added, and Grace felt herself smiling as she closed the classroom door.
She didn't intrude on their conversation, she simply lingered. Even though it's been a week since Halloween, and the Quidditch match was two days ago, Grace was having a picking feeling that didn't like being away from Harry for too long. She couldn't explain why, but, being around Harry made her feel safe. She thought she was silly, but she liked the fluttering feeling she got around him, and she didn't want them to stop.
"I'm sorry about your broomstick. Is there any chance of fixing it?" Remus asked gently.
"No," Harry shook his head gloomly, "the tree smashed it to bits."
Remus sighed. "They planted the Whomping Willow the same yar that I arrived at Hogwarts," Grace frowned at that bit of information. She knew about him going to the Shrieking Shack, but the Whomping Willow? That was news to her. "People used to play a game, trying to get near enough to touch the trunk. In the end, a boy called Davey Gudgeon nearly lost an eye, and we were forbidden to go near it. No broomstick would have a chance."
"The Dementors..." Harry started hesitated. "Whydo they affect me like that.. am I just ..."
"It has nothing to do with weakness," Professor Lupin cut him off sharply. "Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this Earth. They feed on every good feeling, every happy memory, until a person is left with nothing but their worst experiences. The dementors affect you worse than others because there are horrors in your past that your classmates can scarcely imagine. You havenothingto be ashamed of." Remus continued, and then his eyes went to Grace. "Both of you," he added, including her. "Neither of you are weak."
"Why did they come to the match?" Harry asked bitterly.
"They're getting hungry," Remus answered cooly as he closed his briefcase. "Dumbledore won't let them into the school so their supply of human prey has dried up," he paused. "I don't think they could resist the large crowd around the Quidditch pitch. All that excitement, emotions running high... it was their idea of a feast."
"Azkaban must be terrible," Harry muttered. Grace shivered at the thought and Remus nodded grimly.
"The fortress is set on a tiny island, way out to sea, but they don't need walls and water to keep the prisoners in, not when they're all trapped inside their own heads, incapable of a single cheerful thought. Most of them go mad within weeks." Grace shivered again at Remus' words. She wondered how he knew that much about the prison, she wondered if he had ever gone. She knew he wasn't ever sentenced, but...
"But Sirius Black escaped from them," Harry's voice bringing her back from her . Grace turned and saw Remus bend to pick up his briefcase.
"Yes," he said, standing straighter. She noticed his mood darken at the mention of Sirius Black. "Black must have found a way to fight them. I wouldn't have believed it possible... Dementors are supposed to drain a wizard of his powers if he is left with them too long."
"Youmade that dementor on the train back off..." Harry said.
Grace frowned, looking at Remus. He always got fidgety and looked uncomfortable whenever Sirius Black was mentioned. It wasn't often that he was in passing conversation, but whenever Grace mentioned him, or when he would notice Sirius Black in the paper, he always got the same way. She thought back to when she asked Remus if Sirius Black was her father, how uncomfortable he got. Now he's dropping things when Harry mentions him? And how he talked about Azkaban, as if he's been there, even if it were for a visit. Although, there was no reason for Remus to visit... unless he knew Sirius Black. But how did Remus know Sirius Black?
"Gracie," The girl jumped as she felt something tug on her hand. She looked up and saw both Harry and Remus look at her with concern.
"Huh?"
"You coming?" Harry asked, nodding to the door and she nodded. She turned and waved at Remus, who gave her a small smile in return.
November continued on. There was another Hogsmeade trip on the third Saturday. Harry and Grace spent the first part of the day with Professor Lupin, taking walks around the castle grounds. Then they spent the afternoon in the common room, and did some homework. Mostly, Harry watched Grace do her Divination homework, and then when she was finished, she pulled out a muggle book and leaned against him on the couch and read. He didn't mind the silence with her, he didn't mind not doing anything. What he did mind, was the odd feeling he felt tugging in his stomach when he was with her.
November rolled into December, and Professor Flitwick had started decorating the Castle in glittering lights and floating baubles. Grace had been higher spirits when she walked into the Great Hall the first day that the Christmas Trees were placed, and the Great Hall ceiling was sparking with fairy lights and snow fell. She loved Christmas.
"We're going to be having a Christmas show the last night of term, before everyone leaves for the holiday," Grace told them one Sunday evening at dinner. "It'll be the first one of the year, and I'm a little nervous," she added.
"Why? It isn't like you'll be singing solo. You'll be with other people," Ron shrugged as he stuffed some chicken in his mouth.
"Yeah... but it's going to be in front of the entire school..."
"You auditioned in front of half the school," Ron retorted and she glowered at him and threw a roll across the table at his head. "Oi!"
"Anyone have plans for the winter holiday?" she asked, changing the subject.
"I'm staying," Hermione answered. "I've got a lot of work and I could really use the library."
"I'm also staying. I don't think I could spend two whole weeks in a house with Percy," Ron said, and made a face.
"I'm obviously staying," Harry spoke up lightly. "You?"
"Oh I'm staying, of course," she smiled. "I'd never pass up Christmas at Hogwarts, and I want to stay for you – " Hermione raised an eyebrow at Grace, which the girl ignored. Harry blushed at her words and tried to fight a smile. "This is also the first Christmas in a few years that I get to spend with Remus. I'm really happy he's going to be here. I haven't spent Christmas day with him since I was nine," she added with a grin.
"The next Hogsmeade date was posted!" Neville said with excitement as he sat down next to Grace.
"When?!" Hermione asked, leaning across the table.
"It's the last weekend of term," he answered as he piled food onto his plate.
"We can do all our Christmas shopping there!" Hermione exclaimed excitedly. "Mum and Dad would rally love those Tooth-flossing Stringmints from Honeydukes!"
"Hey, Nev," Grace said, turning to the boy who looked at her mid-bite into his chicken. "Can you pick something up for me in Hogsmeade?"
"Of course, Gracie," he nodded after swallowing.
"Thank you! I'll give you the information that morning! I'll make sure to stick it to your pockets," she smiled at him and Neville's cheeks tinted pink, but he smiled at her.
"C'mon," Harry said to her when he came up to her in the common room. She blinked and frowned up at him, and noticed he was dressed for the snow.
"Huh? What are you dressed like that for?"
"Get your coat," he told her as he took her book from her lap. "We're going to Hogsmeade."
"But we're not allowed to go..." she started, but Harry gave her an exasperated look, and she sighed in defeat. "How are we getting there?" At this Harry grinned and pulled a very familiar cloak from behind his back. "Harry Potter, you can be really brilliant," she grinned at him. "I'll be right back," Grace stood up from the couch and ran up to her dorm. She pulled on Harry's black hoodie over her Gryffindor jumper, her brown peacoat, her scarf and her beanie before heading back down the stairs to see Harry waiting for her by the portrait hole.
"Ready?"
"Let's go," she smiled.
They made their way down to near the courtyard. Harry stopped her and threw the cloak over them, and then took her hand. As they walked through the clock tower courtyard, they saw Fred and George throwing snowballs at each other, and they hoped that the twins wouldn't take notice of their footsteps in the snow. However, they couldn't have gotten that lucky as Fred and George came up and started dragging them back into the clock tower entrance.
"Hey!" Harry and Grace exclaimed.
"Guy's let go! We're trying to get to Hogsmeade," Harry told them.
"We know," they said at the same time.
"You two are clever," Fred started.
George continued, "But not clever enough."
"Besides, we've got a better way," Fred finished as George yanked the invisibility cloak off the two and Fred pulled out a wad of old-looking parchment, handing it to Harry.
"What's this rubbish?" he asked, jerking the parchment toward them.
"Rubbish he says," Fred scoffed, shaking his head in disappointment. "That there's the secret to our success."
"It's a wrench giving it to you, believe me," George sighed dramatically.
"But we've decided your needs are greater than ours. George, if you will," Fred motioned for George to demonstrate.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," George said, pointing his wand at the parchment. Grace's eyes widened as an image slowly started to appear on the parchment.
"'Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs are proud to present The Marauder's Map'...?" Harry read aloud, then looked up at Fred and George with confusion. Grace frowned, her eyes scanning the names. There was something picking the back of her brain... Moony... it sounded so familiar, she was sure she had heard it before but she wasn't sure where.
"Ah... Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. We owe them so much," George sighed dreamily.
"Hang on," Harry started, unfolding the parchment. Grace's eyes widened at the magical foot prints and the floating banners that were gliding across the page. "This is Hogwarts! And...that... no. Is that really..." Harry squinted and Grace followed his gaze to see the name 'Albus Dumbledore' moving back and forth.
"Dumbledore," Fred started.
"In his study," George jumped in.
"Pacing," Fred added.
"Does that a lot," George finished.
"You mean, this map shows..." Grace started, looking at the map in amazement.
"Everyone," Fred nodded.
"Everyone?" Harry asked.
"Everyone." George nodded.
"Where they are."
"What they're doing."
"Every minute."
"Of every day."
"Brilliant!" Harry and Grace grinned, looking at the twins. "Where'd you get it?" Harry asked.
"Nicked it from Filch's office, of course, first year," Fred answered, grinning in pride. "Now listen, there's seven secret passageways out of the castle. But we'd recommend –"
"This one," Fred and George said at the same time, pointing to a part of the map.
"The one-eyed witch on the third floor," George said.
"The one-eyed..." Grace started.
"Witch, right. But you best hurry. Filch is heading this way," Fred told them. "Oh, when you're done, make sure to give it a tap and say:'Mischief Managed'. Otherwise, anyone can read it." With a tap of Freds wand, the ink on the parchment faded until it was blank. Grace grinned up at Harry, who returned it.
"Let's go," he whispered, throwing the cloak over them again, and they made their way to the third floor to find the one-eyed witch statue. As they got closer, Harry handed Grace the map and she whispered the incantation and the map came to life.
"I wonder if there's a way to edit this map," she whispered, looking at the names 'Harry Potter', and'Gracia Black'gliding across the page as they got closer to the statue.
"Why?"
"I hate the name Gracia," she whispered, and they stopped.
Dissendium. Popped up on the map and Harry repeated the word. The witch's eye opened, blinking at them then slowly pivoted, revealing a dark opening on the floor.
"You first," Harry nudged her.
"Oi! What if there's something down there? You're the boy..."
"I went first the last time we had to go down a dark tunnel," he retorted and she huffed and shoved the map to his chest and flicked her wand muttering 'lumos' and the blue light shined from the tip. She took a deep breath and started making her way down. When her feet hit the bottom, she looked up and waved her wand.
"Your turn!"
When Harry made it down, they saw the statue start to slide over the top. Any light that came from the castle was gone, and they had only their wands. "Alright, lets go," Harry whispered, and muttered 'mischief managed'.
"Are you cold?" Harry asked her after a while of walking.
"What?"
"Are you cold? You're shaking," he said.
"Oh...er, not so much cold as... well, I don't like being in the dark," she answered, feeling embarrassed.
"Oh," he nodded. Grace grimaced at herself, she shouldn't have admitted that she was scared of the dark. She was thirteen for crying out loud. She jumped when she felt Harry grab her hand, intertwining their fingers. "I've got you," he assured her softly. Grace looked down at the ground, hoping it would hide her face enough so Harry wouldn't notice the blush that spread across her cheeks.
The rest of the walk was silent, although Grace thought that Harry might have been able to hear how loud her heart was beating, but seeing as he didn't say anything or made any mention that he could, she realized she was over exaggerating. They finally reached the end of the passage way, and Grace let go of Harry's and started to make her way up the ladder. She pushed the top door up ever so slightly to take a peek and make sure no one was around. She heard someone shuffling, and she quickly ducked, closing the door most of the way. She heard someone going up the stairs, and when the foot steps faded, and a door closed, she pushed the trap door up and crawled her way out. Harry handed Grace the cloak, as he crawled out, and when he closed the trap door, Grace threw the cloak over them.
Harry grabbed her hand again and they carefully made their way out of the Honeydukes store room. The scent of chocolate and sugar overwhelmed her as she looked around the store. It was completely filled to the max with students. They pushed their way through the crowd, being thankful that it was crowded so no one would try and wonder why they were accidentally being shoved. Grace saw Neville, Dean and Seamus sitting by the window and Neville was licking a large red lollipop. Her eyes widened at how good it looked, and Harry grinned and went to take it but she grabbed his hand and glared at him. He smiled at her and shook his head, guiding them out of the store.
"There's Ron and Hermione," She whispered, pointing to their two friends that were walking down the path. "Let's see where they're going."
"Right," He nodded, and they started following them. Grace frowned when she realized where they were going. She could see the Shrieking Shack off in the distance and she froze, staring at it wide eyed.
"I-I'm going to stay here," she whispered, stopping and Harry paused, looking at her. "I'll stay hidden, and I'll wait for you lot here."
"Are you sure? Don't you want to look at the Shrieking Shack?" he asked her, and she shook her head. She didn't want to go near that place.
"Go, I'll stay back here behind the trees- Oh no," Grace groaned.
"What?" Harry asked, turning around.
"Malfoy," she hissed. The two of them got a little closer to try and hear what Malfoy and his friends were saying. She bent down and scooped up a handful of snow and patted it tightly together in a ball, and then chucked it as hard as she could.
"Who did that!" Malfoy shouted, looking around. Harry grinned at her and they both scooped up some more snow and once the snow balls were tightly compacted, they threw them at the Slytherin again.
"Go," she whispered, pushing Harry as she stepped behind a tree. "Cause some mayhem," she grinned. She couldn't see Harry anymore, but she could imagine his grin. It took all of Grace's strength to not laugh loudly as she watched Harry pull down Crabbe's (or was it Goyle's?) trousers, and kick his arse into the snow, and when Harry started dragging the Malfoy by the ankles, she nearly lost it. She quickly pushed her back against the tree trunk as she heard Malfoy and his friends run past, and she moved to other side of the tree so they wouldn't see her in case they turned around.
"Gracie, you can come out now!" Harry called laughing.
"Bloody hell, Harry, that wasn'tfunny!" Ron tried to scold him, but failed as a smile started forming on his face.
"It was incredibly funny," Grace laughed as she walked closer to them.
"Oh shut it, Gracie," Ron huffed.