Prisoner of Azkaban (Part 1)
I don't own Harry Potter, Girl Meets World, or any part of the MCU!
Thea plunked down at the Gryffindor table the next morning, her voice noticeably hoarse. Fred poured her a cup of tea which she accepted gratefully.
"You couldn't have had that row with Dumbledore in front of us?" George complained good-naturedly, stealing a scone from her plate "We got the whole school excited about it, now we've let them down."
Thea batted his hand away "Think of it as the first prank of the year. And stop stealing my breakfast."
"We were looking forward to it." Fred whined "I wanted to watch the old git get it."
"Please remember that you are speaking about the Headmaster, Mr. Weasley, and address him with the proper respect." Professor McGonagall was handing out the course schedules and reached them just in time to hear Fred's comments.
Thea sipped her tea with a shrug "Respect is earned."
McGonagall's eyes crinkled, even as she gave Thea a stern look "Even so. Your schedules, and Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger's as well. If you'd be so kind as to pass them on?"
"Of course." Thea accepted the parchment with a smile "See you in class, Professor."
Fred scanned his schedule "We've got defense right after lunch! Merlin, I can't wait! What'd you think Lupin'll teach?"
Thea hummed thoughtfully "Whatever it is, it'll be good. I think fifth year DADA is usually review for our OWLs."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione dropped onto the bench next to them, Harry looked particularly irritated.
"What's with you?" Thea asked, passing the third years their schedules.
"Malfoy." Ron spat "Having a go at Harry."
Thea glanced at the Slytherin table. Sure enough, Draco Malfoy was doing a poor imitation of a dementor, his robes hiked over his head. Pansy Parkinson's shrill laughter echoed around the hall.
"Little git." George mused, watching Malfoy pretend to faint "He wasn't so cocky last night when the dementors were down our end of the train. Came running into our compartment, didn't he, Fred?"
"Nearly wet himself." Fred shot the Slytherins an ugly look.
Thea snorted into her biscuit "I'd pay good money to see that. Might've made it worth it."
George shivered "I wasn't too happy myself, they're horrible things, those dementors..."
"Sort of freeze your insides, don't they?" Fred finished.
Harry grumpily stabbed his sausage "You didn't pass out though, did you?"
"It's not your fault, Harry." Thea reminded him "Dementors feed on bad memories, pain, loss, things like that. It's not surprising they affect you more."
"Dad had to go out to Azkaban one time, remember Fred? And he said it was the worst place he'd ever been, he came back all weak and shaking...They suck the happiness out of a place, dementors." George shook his head "Most prisoners go mad in there."
Fred wisely changed the subject "Anyway, we'll see how happy Malfoy looks after our first quidditch match, Gryffindor versus Slytherin, first game of the season, remember?"
Harry looked more cheerful, probably imagining the pounding they'd give the Slytherin team, it was a beautiful thought.
"Ooh, good we're starting some new subjects today." Hermione was pouring over her schedule excitedly "Thea, you take Care of Magical Creatures and Arithmancy, don't you?"
"And Ancient Runes." Thea peeked at the younger girl's schedule "Blimey, 'Mione, you're going to work yourself into the ground."
Ron caught a glimpse of Hermione's packed day "They've messed up your schedule. How're you gonna be in two classes at once?"
"Don't be silly, of course I won't be in two classes at once." Hermione poured herself a cup of juice "I've fixed it all with Professor McGonagall."
Ron didn't look convinced, but a sharp look from Thea made him drop the subject. They finished their breakfasts quickly and the younger trio headed towards the North Tower for divination.
Their morning classes both started with the teachers lecturing them on the importance of their upcoming OWLs which Fred and George found exceptionally boring. Thea, on the other hand, was taking it a bit more seriously, these exams could determine her destiny in the magical world.
Fred grumbled as they sat down for lunch "Why do we need OWLs? I mean, really, what's the point? Percy got enough for the whole family. Merlin knows you'll get all yours, Thea."
George nodded "We don't need OWLs for the joke shop. How berserk d'you think Mum'll go if we just don't take them?"
"I'm not learning necromancy if you do." Thea warned, a hint of laughter in her voice "But I'll speak kindly at your funerals."
Fred chuckled "Yeah, all right, that's fair. But I want it mentioned at mine that I'm the better looking twin."
"Oi!" George complained and Thea started to laugh.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione joined them, dropping their book bags under the bench.
"What're you talking about?" Ron asked, watching Fred and George dissolve into a mild wrestling match.
"What they want said at their funerals." Thea wheezed.
This was apparently the wrong thing to say because Ron went very pale and whipped around to look at Harry.
Hermione rolled her eyes "Trelawney says Harry's being stalked by a Grim and Ron is taking it entirely too seriously." She explained.
"Harry, you haven't seen a great black dog anywhere, have you?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, I have." Harry helped himself to a spoonful of mashed potatoes "I saw one the night I left the Dursleys. I told Thea about it."
"Probably a stray." Hermione said, unconcerned.
Ron turned to stare open mouthed at his older sister "But if Harry's seen a Grim, that's bad. Great Uncle Bilious saw one and he died twenty-four hours later!"
"Ron, I don't think Harry saw a Grim." Thea gently patted his shoulder "It was weeks ago now. By that logic Harry should be long dead, and he's not. Hermione's right, it was probably a stray. If it was a magical creature it just wandered too close to the muggles and either it found its way home or the Ministry handled it."
Ron didn't look convinced "You don't get it! Grims scare the living daylights out of most wizards!"
"There you are then, they see the Grim and die of fright." Hermione said, very superiorly "The Grim's not an omen, it's the cause of death! And Harry's still with us because he's not stupid enough to see one and think 'right, well, I'd better kick the bucket then!'"
Ron was stunned into silence, mouthing wordlessly at Hermione. She seemed completely unbothered as she propped her arithmancy book against the juice jug so she could read it while she ate.
"I think Divination seems very woolly. A lot of guesswork if you ask me." The bookworm flipped to her page.
"There was nothing woolly about the Grim in that cup!" Ron argued hotly.
"You didn't seem quite so confident when you were telling Harry it was a sheep."
"Professor Trelawney said you didn't have the right aura! You just don't like being bad at something for a change!"
Thea scoffed "Trelawney says that about anyone who questions her, it's her go to, she said it about me when I was in her class. Hermione's right, Ron, there just isn't enough information on divination for it to be anything else."
"Thank you." Hermione sniffed, slamming her book shut "And if being good at Divination means I have to pretend to see death omens in a lump of tea leaves, then I'm not sure I'll be studying it much longer! That lesson was absolute rubbish compared with my Arithmancy class!"
She swept up her bag and stalked off.
Ron frowned "What's she talking about? She hasn't been to an Arithmancy class yet."
Thea sipped her tea loudly.
Fred and George rejoined the conversation, their tussle at an end "What'd we miss?"
"Most of lunch, if you don't eat quick we'll be late for DADA." Thea pointed at their untouched plates "And I want to see what Lupin's got in store for us."
The fifth years filed into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom quietly. Thea dragged Fred, George, and Lee Jordan to the front row of desks, it was a testament to how excited they were for the lesson that there were no complaints.
"Afternoon all." Professor Lupin started the class with a pleasant smile "I am Professor Lupin. I understand you've had quite a few teachers for defense against the dark arts and that makes your OWL year tricky."
Fred and George groaned softly, anticipating the coming lecture on the importance of the exams.
Lupin clearly heard them, but he didn't seem upset "I'm sure the rest of your teachers have impressed upon you the value of taking your exams seriously so I won't go on about it. Professor Dumbledore has given me some notes from your previous teachers, strangely most of last years are missing..."
How had Lockhart gotten the job, Thea wondered for the millionth time.
"He did include however that you're clearly quite well versed in jinxes."
Thea blushed as the whole class looked at her. She didn't regret jinxing Lockhart, she'd do it again in a heartbeat, but if Dumbledore kept bringing it up he might get a taste of her skills soon.
"Before we start on today's lesson I wanted to hear from you, what you feel we might need a bit of review in to be prepared for your OWLs? Jinxes, curses, dark creatures?"
Everyone was silent, it wasn't often they had a teacher ask for their input on what they wanted to learn. Thea glanced around, no one looked particularly willing to share their uncertainties with the class, Lupin looked slightly disappointed.
Not willing to let this teaching tactic fail, Thea raised her hand.
"Miss Matthews." Lupin smiled gratefully.
"I think we're mostly in good shape, Professor, but when Professor Quirrell was teaching the unit on dark creatures he wasn't very thorough. Seemed like he had a lot on his mind, so to speak."
"I'll add it to the lesson plan. Thank you, Miss Matthews."
Thea's contribution seemed to spur the rest of the class on. Addie Wilkins commented that she'd like to learn more counter-jinxes and even the Slytherin Adrian Pucey suggested a lengthy review of the curses they'd covered last year, given their incompetent teacher. Discussion lasted several minutes before Lupin drew their attention again.
"Thank you, if you think of anything else please come by my office or after class. Now for today you can put your books away, it's going to be a practical lesson. I'd like to see how you all do with dueling."
Textbooks were quickly put away and with a flick of his wand Lupin vanished the desks, leaving a clear space in the middle of the room. Lupin layed out the ground rules, none of the particularly nasty curses or jinxes, aim to disarm only, and no hurt feelings if they lost.
"Now," He clapped his hands "Any volunteers?"
Thea raised her hand at once and Lupin selected her with a smile. For some reason this seemed to deter her classmates. Fortunately Fred raised his hand and they soon faced each other across the classroom.
"Go easy on me, Thea?" Fred laughed nervously as they bowed.
Thea's cheshire grin told him all he needed to know.
Fred fired first "Flipendo!"
"Protego!" Thea's shield charm absorbed the jinx and she leveled her wand at Fred "Locomotor wibbly!"
Fred's shield charm wasn't nearly as strong and he started to wobble as he tried to cast the counter-jinx.
"Impedimenta!" Thea was quick to take advantage "Expelliarmus!"
Fred's wand flew across the room and Thea caught it triumphantly.
"Well done!" Professor Lupin led the applause "That was excellent! I say, why don't we make it a contest? Everyone pair up, we'll have the winners go against each other, but first." With a wave of his wand the room expanded making it just large enough for several pairs to duel at once, another wave and Fred's legs steadied.
"Way to go easy on me." He complained as Thea handed back his wand "You couldn't have let me get one hit in?"
"Why would I do that?"
George snorted from where he was squaring up against Lee "You didn't last two minutes Freddie. Hate to be in your shoes. Come to think of it, maybe I'll lose on purpose so I don't have to face our dear Althea in battle."
"Coward." Thea teased playfully "Lee won't let me down, will you Lee?"
Lee didn't look too keen either "I've got a will to live, thanks."
Classes were picking up as the year moved on. Draco Malfoy had been attacked by a hippogriff in Hagrid's first Care of Magical Creatures lesson which meant that those lessons were particularly boring. He'd procured them a few kneazles and they were mostly brushing and feeding. Still, Thea preferred that to the manticore Hagrid told her he'd originally planned for.
Lupin's classes seemed to be the new favorite of the school. Neville had excitedly told her about the boggart Snape that he'd forced into his grandmother's clothes and hat. Pushing aside her outrage that Neville's worst fear was his teacher, Thea congratulated him and requested a picture if he ever came across another boggart.
Something was bothering Thea about their new teacher though, he looked familiar, though she was certain they'd never met before he came to Hogwarts. It was when she started digging through the old yearbooks, looking to add to Harry's collection of photos of his parents that she spotted it.
Four young men under the shade of a tree, under the picture was labeledJames Potter, Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black. And in a messy scrawl next to itThe Marauders. Thea closed the book.
This discovery meant Lupin had known Harry's parents and by the looks of it had been friends with James Potter and Sirius Black. Lupin didn't give the impression that he was helping Black, and it wasn't likely that Dumbledore would have hired him if he thought he was. But then Dumbledore had hired Quirrell...and Lockhart.
Thea decided to keep it to herself for now, but to keep a watchful eye on their DADA teacher. Even more of one when Hermione shared a discovery of her own. Lupin's lycanthropy was a shock, but Thea convinced the younger girl to keep it quiet. Clearly Lupin was managing it, wolfsbane probably.
The first Hogsmeade weekend was set for Halloween and as it drew nearer Harry got glummer. It seemed his relatives had failed to sign his permission slip after he'd blown his aunt up like a balloon before he'd run off. Hesitantly he'd asked Thea if she thought forging Vernon Dursley's signature would work.
Normally Thea would've offered to try, but with Sirius Black on the loose and likely after Harry, she was hesitant. It wasn't likely that he'd turn up in Hogsmeade, a wizarding village where he was sure to be recognized and apprehended or forced to fight his way out, but she didn't want to take the chance. Instead she suggested he take it to McGonagall and see what she said.
When they all got back Harry seemed to be in a better mood, he told Thea he'd had tea with Professor Lupin. The news that Snape had brought a potion for Lupin and that the man had drank it without a thought was worrying the boy, Thea suspected it was the wolfsbane potion though she didn't share her guess. The few interactions between Lupin and Snape Thea had seen were tense at best. Snape seemed to loathe Lupin with a passion.
The Halloween feast was as delicious as ever, massive pumpkins from Hagrid's garden floated above them, frightening faces carved into them, and the ghosts provided an excellent show. Nearly-Headless-Nick, the Gryffindor ghost, had great success with a reenactment of his own botched beheading.
When the students headed for bed, full and sleepy, Thea made a snap decision "Meet you back at the common room." She sent Fred and George on their way "Professor!"
Lupin slowed as she approached, he didn't look very well, pale and a bit trembly "Miss Matthews?"
"Can I have a word?"
Lupin glanced nervously out the window "Er, can it wait?"
"It'll just take a moment. Please?"
He seemed to realize there was no putting her off "Very well, shall we walk?"
They headed towards his office and Thea waited until they were safely out of earshot of her fellow students before she spoke "Thank you for cheering Harry up today."
This clearly wasn't what Lupin had expected "Um, yes, of course."
Thea wasn't in the mood for a run around "Would I be right in thinking you were keeping an eye out for him?"
"Why would I-?"
"Because it's the anniversary of his parent's murder." Thea watched her professor carefully "And you were friends with them."
Lupin tripped in surprise "I-what-how do you know that?"
Thea shrugged "I found your old yearbooks in the library. It's not exactly hard. The Marauders?"
"We were kids." Lupin defended weakly, going red "Does Harry...?"
"I haven't told him. I haven't told anyone." Thea watched the relief etch itself into the lines on his face "There are a few other things I haven't told anyone."
"Oh?" The false casualness was painful "Like what?"
"James Potter wasn't your only friend, was he? Sirius Black was too."
"...He was." Lupin rushed to defend himself "But I've not seen him since he went to Azkaban. I don't have anything to do with him and I don't mean Harry any harm. Please believe that if nothing else."
Thea regarded him critically for a moment before she decided to put the poor man out of his misery "I do."
"You do?"
"Yeah, you don't give off serial killer vibes." Her joke broke the tension and Lupin barked a laugh.
"And what 'vibes' do I give off?" He chuckled.
Thea smiled "You're a good person."
Lupin's face lost it's laughter "No, I'm not."
"Why? Because of your lycanthropy?"
"How do you-?" Lupin cut himself off to massage the bridge of his nose "I'm actually not all that surprised, not really anyway. How did you guess?"
"I have my ways. But I'm serious, you're a good person Professor."
"That's very kind of you, Miss Matthews." Lupin hesitated "I wonder if I might be spared any more revelations tonight? I really should be getting back to my office."
"And I should be getting back to Gryffindor tower." Thea agreed as they reached Lupin's office door "You should tell Harry. He'd like to know more about his parents."
"He's got enough people for that."
"He really hasn't." Thea shook her head "Just think about it."
"...I will. Goodnight, Miss Matthews."
"Goodnight, Professor."
Thea started to make her way towards the Gryffindor common room. She was halfway up a flight of stairs when a massive black dog came racing around the corner and down the steps. It collided with Thea and she tipped backward, losing her footing and tumbling head over heels down the stairs.
In a daze, her vision fading in and out, she caught sight of a man. Long black hair and fractured grey eyes watched her as he picked up her wand from where it had fallen out of her pocket. Thea was face to face with Sirius Black. Carefully he leveled the wand with her eyes, strangely she didn't feel as if she was about to die, even as she was in no fit shape to defend herself.
"Stupify." His voice was raspy and Thea let herself sink into unconsciousness as he stunned her.
Harry was sat at Thea's bedside the next morning in the hospital wing. McGonagall had fetched him, Hermione, and the Weasleys first thing in the morning. It had been a mostly sleepless night on the hard stone floor of the great hall, not eased by the disappearance of Thea.
Fred and George were at the foot of the bed, comforting Ginny who looked close to tears. Clearly the sight of Thea in the hospital wing was bringing back painful memories of her petrification last year, it certainly was for Harry. Ron and Hermione were on Thea's other side, Hermione was chewing anxiously on her lip and Ron was fidgeting with the edge of the sheet. Percy was pacing frantically up and down the hall.
"Knock it off, Perce, you're not helping." Fred finally burst out.
Percy's face went red "It's helping me!"
"Well it's not helping the rest of us. You heard Dumbledore, Thea's gonna be fine, she was stunned and got a knock to the head. Madam Pomfrey'll fix her up." George sided with his twin.
"Yes, yes, but who do you think stunned her?" Percy argued "It was Sirius Black, it must have been."
"Come off it, Percy, it can't have been Black." Ron didn't sound entirely convinced "He'd just have killed her, wouldn't he?"
Ginny whimpered and George wrapped an arm around her, sending Ron a reproachful look.
"Who else would have done it then?" Percy's face was very pale "It's not like Thea's got many enemies, and no student would have done it. They'd get in terrible trouble."
"Maybe it was the Slytherins. Quidditch match is coming up." Ron offered weakly.
Hermione scoffed "This seems a bit extreme for Quidditch, don't you think? I mean, it's only a game."
"Besides the Slytherin common room is in the dungeon." Harry pointed out before Ron could round on Hermione "They'd have had a job getting back there before anyone noticed they'd gone."
Ron slumped "All right, say it was Black. Why wouldn't he kill her? It's not like there were any witnesses. There aren't any portraits by those stairs."
"Why indeed, Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore entered the hospital wing, McGonagall a few steps behind him "In addition to stunning Miss Matthews, it appears her memory has been altered."
"You mean Black obliviated her?" Fred's face was ashy with horror "What does that mean? Does she still remember us and all?"
"Not to worry, Mr. Weasley, it seems her memory of you is intact. I spoke to her briefly last night when she was found." Dumbledore regarded Thea's sleeping form "Though it is impossible to know without further testing just how much memory Sirius Black removed."
"So it was Black?" Percy asked "You're sure?"
"It is the logical conclusion. The spells came from Miss Matthews own wand and Black was in the castle last night, we have confirmed as much. We'll need to question her further, though I doubt she'll be able to give us many answers."
Silent tears were streaming down Ginny's cheeks and she sniffled loudly, burying herself further in George's side.
Professor Dumbledore's face took on a gentler look "It is my opinion that Miss Matthews will make a full recovery. Madam Pomfrey is very capable, Minerva if you'll fetch her now? And ask her to bring a calming draft for Miss Weasley."
Professor McGonagall nodded sharply and strode towards the matron's office.
"Isn't there a way to break a memory charm, Professor?" Percy asked, twisting his hands nervously.
"There is, but not without significant damage to the obliviated. Damage I am not willing to inflict on Miss Matthews." Dumbledore sighed "I don't believe there is much she can tell us that we don't already know about last night. I've informed the Ministry and your parents, they'll be sending someone to take her statement."
Percy started rummaging through his school bag for a quill "I'll write to Mum, she'll want to know Thea's okay."
Fred glanced up at Dumbledore "Have you told Thea's parents?"
Dumbledore hesitated "Not yet. I thought it might be better for Miss Matthews to be present when I contact them."
"So you are planning on telling them?"
"Unless Miss Matthews objects."
Fred didn't look too pleased with that answer but he let it go "When will she wake up?"
"I'll handle that, thank you very much Headmaster." Madam Pomfrey bustled up the ward, wand in hand "The sleeping potion I gave her last night should be wearing off, we'll give her a bit of help. Rennervate!"
Thea's eyes blinked open blearily. In a heartbeat Ginny had torn herself away from George and flung herself at Thea, sobbing madly into her older sister's shoulder.
Madam Pomfrey tutted loudly "Now now let her breath!"
Thea had managed to wrap her arms around Ginny and was comfortingly patting her on the back "I feel like I missed something?"
Ginny wailed.
"Drink this now, Miss Weasley, there's a good girl." Madam Pomfrey offered the calming draft before Ginny could work herself into hysterics before handing Thea a different potion "And for you Miss Matthews."
The calming draft worked wonders and Ginny settled down, though she still clung to Thea's side like a baby koala. Thea took in the sight of them all, Fred and George both ashen faced, Harry, Ron, and Hermione looking anxious, and Percy scratching out a letter so fast his ink splattered across his face.
"What's going on?"
"What do you remember of last night, Miss Matthews?" Dumbledore asked.
Thea frowned "Uh, I asked to speak to Professor Lupin after the feast, I left him at his office and headed back to Gryffindor tower. But then...I don't remember."
"I'm going to ask you a series of questions, Miss Matthews, please don't be alarmed, I'll explain everything in a few moments." Dumbledore started questioning with simple things, the year, who the current Minister was, then it got more personal "What did we discuss on the first night of term this year?"
"The...uh..."Thea frowned "The dementoids, no, dementors, on the train. And it wasn't much of a discussion I mostly yelled at you."
If Harry wasn't mistaken Dumbledore looked a little embarrassed as he continued "How many points did I give you at the end of term feast two years ago and why?"
"Uh, ten? Wait, no, twenty for determination and spit, uh spirit for breaking down your office door."
"And why did you break it down?"
"Because it was locked?"
Percy squawked but Dumbledore ignored him "But what was the reason you were there?"
It took Thea a long moment to answer. Harry could see the struggle on her face as she searched for an answer.
"These three had gone after the score-ugh sorcerer's stone. I needed to let you know, I dragged Neville with me."
"Why does she keep messing up words?" George asked.
"An all to common side effect of a powerful memory charm."
"Memory charm?!"
"Your memory was modified in an incident last night, Miss Matthews." Dumbledore explained calmly.
"Where is Lockhart? I'll kill him!" Thea was now upright in bed, trying desperately to get out while Harry and Ron tried to push her back down "He wants to modify my memory, I'll show him!"
"Thea!" Ron braced an arm against her shoulders "Lockhart's gone! He's not our teacher anymore, Lupin is!"
"A bit of confusion isn't uncommon." Dumbledore answered the twins unspoken question as they rounded on him "It will pass. Miss Matthews, please sit back down."
Harry and Ron managed to manhandle Thea back into bed, not that she'd gotten very far with Ginny hanging round her middle.
"So, who did it? Who messed with my memory?" Thea asked once she was settled again.
"Sirius Black."
Thea whipped around so fast her neck cracked making them all wince, she seized Harry by the shoulders and started examining him frantically "Are you hurt? What happened?"
Completely befuddled by Thea's reaction, Harry let her fuss "I didn't see him. He attacked the Fat Lady but he was gone when we got there after the feast."
"And it appears you had a run in with him as well." Dumbledore mused "He stunned you and obliviated you, removing any memory of the encounter. We found you while conducting a search of the castle."
"Did you find him?"
"No, the ghosts and teachers searched the castle from top to bottom but I'm afraid he has eluded us. He is gone from the castle, that we are sure of." It was McGonagall who answered, sounding particularly irritated.
Thea scowled, muttering a series of violent curses under her breath. Harry didn't catch them all but there were several suggestions as to where Black could stick his wand.
"Glad to see Black didn't erase your sense of humor." Fred commented dryly.
Percy jabbed him with his quill "This is not a joking matter! This is serious!"
"It sure is, Perce." George said solemnly "It wasSiriusBlack what did it, weren't you listening?"
Percy spluttered, his ears turning red. He probably would have gone into a tirade if Dumbledore hadn't stepped in.
"I believe Madam Pomfrey will want to keep you here for a few days, Miss Matthews."
"At least a week!" Madam Pomfrey insisted "A head injury on top of a powerful memory charm, the possible damage it could cause! And I want you" She rounded on Dumbledore "to get the best memory specialist from Saint Mungo's to have a look at her too."
"Certainly, Madam Pomfrey, I'll reach out immediately."
"But classes!" Thea protested "OWLs are coming up! I can't miss a week of classes!"
"You sound like Hermione." Ron mumbled.
"And what's wrong with that?" Hermione snapped and the two started bickering.
"We'll bring you any homework we get." Fred reassured her.
"Just because we don't give a fig about exams doesn't mean we're gonna let you fall behind." George agreed.
"We're quite proud of you," Fred grinned "Our brilliant Althea. Y'know, I'll bet you get better OWLs than Percy, even if you miss a week."
Percy was clearly fed up with the twins and he gathered his things "I'm going to post this." He waved the letter to Mrs. Weasley in the air "Mum'll want to know you're all right, Thea."
"Thanks Percy." Thea was distracted by Ginny who seemed to be coming out of her calming draft daze.
The memory specialist came to see her the next day and insisted she be moved to Saint Mungo's to be monitored. Harry, Ron, and Hermione didn't get to see her before she left and found themselves in a shouting match with the matron when they arrived to visit and found her bed deserted. Mrs. Weasley wrote to Ron the next day with an update, Thea was fine, awake, and loudly demanding to be returned to Hogwarts.
"Can't imagine they'll keep her long." Ron comforted Ginny "Dumbledore said the confusion and stuff was normal. Besides, can you imagine the hell she'll raise? They won't want to keep her any longer than they have to."
The rumor mill was circulating around Hogwarts, some speculating how Black had gotten in, but most was about Thea. Neville approached them tearfully asking if it was true that Black had brutally murdered her.
Fred and George were not helping, spreading a series of tales about Thea getting into a duel with the escaped criminal, battling him up and down the halls.
"We want to give her a bit of notoriety." Fred said when they'd asked "She's already the best dueler in our year. It's not that much of a reach to think she'd be able to take on Black."
Hermione was reading up on every book on memory charms she could find. She'd gotten into several arguments with Percy, who was doing the same, over the massive tomes they both wanted to borrow from the library.
Thea sent a letter almost a week later. Harry tore it open eagerly, Ron, Ginny, and the twins each had their own.
Dear Harry,
I'm fine, I promise. Saint Mungo's is boring. Lots of healers and potions for me. They're letting me out in a couple days, but they don't want me going back to Hogwarts just yet. Something about "No strenuous mental activity." So Dumbledore's arranged for me to go back to America for a few weeks, there's another memory specialist there he wants me to see. My Mum is losing her mind, I think Dumbledore just doesn't want her trying to sue Hogwarts.
I'll write as much as I can, and you can always call me the other way. In the meantime, promise me you'll stay close to Ron and Hermione. You might talk to Lupin too.
Now I say this with love,
DO NOT DO ANYTHING STUPID!
Especially nothing involving Black. Stay as far away from that nonsense as you can.
Am I clear? Good.
If something happens to you and I'm not there I don't know what I'll do. Please be safe.
Love,
Thea
Ron's letter was much the same. Harry tucked his letter in his pocket. He missed Thea. Based on this, she probably wouldn't be back before December.
"What I want to know is why Thea thinks we're gonna go after Black?" Ron grumbled into his eggs "I don't want anything to do with the nutter, do you?"
"No." Harry agreed, though if he got the chance he would curse Black with everything he had for what he did to Thea "She wants me to talk to Lupin."
"Why?" Ron wondered "What's he got to do with it?"
"Dunno, she doesn't say." Harry shrugged "What're we gonna tell Wood?"
Oliver Wood had been going around in a state of abject horror after losing his chaser for the second year in a row. Alicia Spinnet was filling in, but no one could replace Thea.
Ron winced "Good luck, mate."
Mrs. Weasley was fussing over Thea like a mother hen "You have everything you need? Your coat? Your schoolwork?"
"Yes, Mrs. Weasley, I've got it all. And Mum's meeting me at MACUSA. Tomorrow I'm going straight to the memory ward at the Salem Institute for a check and to meet the specialist." Thea rattled off the schedule.
They were waiting for her portkey in the Ministry's transportation department. Mrs. Weasley was worrying over her, questioning the poor worker behind the desk if it was safe, and checking and double checking that she had everything.
"Departing in 60 seconds Miss Matthews." The Ministry worker looked incredibly relieved that she, and Mrs. Weasley, would soon be out of his hair.
Thea gripped her portkey coin tightly, it would be nice to visit her family. Her Mum and Dad were calling her on the mirror every day to check in, this would probably bring her some peace of mind. Auggie was in a state too, every time she spoke to him he was in tears. She hadn't seen or heard from Riley at all.
"Well, have a good visit." Mrs. Weasley smoothed her hair "Write to me as soon as you see the specialist. Memory charms are a tricky business, very easy to go wrong."
"I will, Mrs. Weasley, I promise." Thea smiled.
She was doing much better, the lapses in her memory were getting better all the time, but she was still mixing up her words more than the Saint Mungo's people would like. Hence why she was going to be seeing the specialist in New York.
"Ten seconds. Please step back, Ma'am."
Mrs. Weasley pressed a quick kiss to Thea's head "Try to enjoy yourself, dear, and have a rest. You deserve it."
The tell-tale jerk of the portkey sent Thea spinning. A few second later, she'd landed dizzily in MACUSA.
Word count:5921 words
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Love,
The Author