The Girl Who Lived Forever

The Girl Who Lived Forever

Prologue

"Not Harry, please, not them."

"Step aside, you silly girl.... stand aside now."

"Please, no, take me, kill me instead!"

"Avada Kedavra!"

Lily fell to the floor. Voldemort walked over to the cot where 12 month old Harry was lying in bed. He pointed his wand. "Avada Kedavra!"

His spell blasted back, and Voldemort fled, nearly dead.

"Get her onto the bed."

"Pass me the knife."

"Hold it open."

"Give me a hand."

The doctors lifted the unborn baby out of the body and placed it in the incubation pod. "How much longer will she be in there?" the man asked.

"3 more months," the doctor told him.

The man placed a hand on the pod. "I will be back when I have found a good home. The world can not know the child exists," he said. The doctors nodded. "Not a soul can know."

PART 1

HAZZA P & THE CHAMBER SO BIG IT’S FULL OF SECRETS

Quote - It's our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities

- Albus Dumbledore

Chapter 1 - The Burrow/ Diagon Alley

I thumped down the stairs after my sister. Mum is yelling about some random thing that Fred and George have done - shocker.

"Isn't he such a hottie," Ginny says to me. I roll my eyes. She had been talking about Harry Potter since the boys came back from school.

"Honestly, Ginny, it's not like we're going to walk into the kitchen, and he'll be sitting at our table," I tell her. We walk into the kitchen, and Harry Potter is sitting at our table.

"Mummy, have you seen my jumper?" Ginny asks. She hasn't seen Harry yet. I try not to laugh.

"Yes dear, it was on the cat," Mum tells her.

"McGonagall?" Harry said with a frown. Ginny spots him and stares at him. "Hello," Harry said to us. Ginny keeps staring. Fred, George, and I snicker.

"Harry, this is Ginny and Peyton, my sisters," Ron said. I slid into the seat next to Fred.

"Ginny and Harry, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G," I say to them. Ginny goes redder than her hair and runs upstairs. Harry goes scarlet. "So you're the famous Hairy Trotter?" I said to him. Ron glares at me.

"It's Harry Potter, not -" Harry started but was interrupted by Dad walking in.

"Morning Weasleys," Dad said, sitting at the head of the table. "Nine raids - hey, you're not ginger. Who the heck are you?" he asked Harry. I roll my eyes. He made that joke all the time. It got old quickly.

"Oh, I'm Harry, sir. Harry Potter," Harry told him.

"Shut up! Show me your scar," Dad said. Harry looked awkward.

"The boys flew your car to Surrey and back last night," Mom told Dad. He looked proud until Mom elbowed him.

"Very wrong indeed, boys, very wrong indeed," he said, glancing at Mom. Mom nodded approvingly.

“Eat up. We're going to Diagon Alley at 11," she told us. I shove my food in my mouth and push my seat back. I pick up a plate of buttered toast and walk upstairs.

Ginny is lying on her bed writing in her diary. I already know what is on her mind; Harry Potter. I put the plate next to her. "We're going to Diagon Alley in an hour," I tell her.

She locks her diary and puts it on her side table. "Is Har-"

"Yes, your boyfriend is coming," I tell her. Ginny makes a cute giggle, and I roll my eyes.

"Pey, help me find the cutest outfit I own," she begs.

I sigh and rummage through her wardrobe. "You owe me," I tell her.

We go downstairs where Mum is holding a container of Floo Powder. "Don't you dare try anything. I'm talking to you, Fred and George," she eyeballed my brothers. "Harry," she holds the container out to Harry. He stares at it confusingly.

"I'll go first," I tell him, taking a handful of Floo Powder. "Do what I do," I say to Harry. I stand in the fireplace. "Diagon Alley."

I reemerge in Diagon Alley. Fred and George come after me. Then Ron and Ginny. Then Mum. Then Dad. Then Percy.

"Where's Harry?" I ask.

Fred smirks. "He's in D-Diagon Alley," he said. George laughed. Mum glared at them.

"Ron!" I turn to see a girl with brown hair running over to us.

"Ronnie's girlfriend's here," I say to George, who snickers.

"This is Hermione," Ron told us.

I smile. "Hello Mrs. Weasley," I smirk, and Fred and George burst out laughing. Ron scowls.

We waited for about ten minutes before Harry and Hagrid show. "Oh thank goodness. Thank you so so so much, Hagrid," Mum hugged Hagrid.

"Where did you end up?" I ask Harry.

"Knockturn Alley," Harry told us.

"Cool!" Me, Fred and George all say in unison.

"Alright Weasleys, Potters and Grangers, let's go get our stuff."

We go into the bookstore and wander through for a view of Gilderoy 'Golden Locks' Lockhart. "There he is," Mum goes to all fan girl. I look at Harry, and we try not to laugh.

"Mum fancies him," I tell Hermione.

A short man bumps past. "Out of the way! This is for the Daily Prophet!"

At the mention of the newspaper, Golden Locks looks up. "It can't be Harry Potter?" The crowd whispers excitedly as Golden Locks dives forward, seizes Harry's hand and turns him toward the photographer. The camera flashes. "Ladies and gentlemen! What an extraordinary moment this is! When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts this morning to purchase my autobiography, Magical Me -- which, incidentally is celebrating its twenty-seventh week atop The Daily Prophet's Bestseller List -- he had no idea that he would, in fact, be leaving with my entire collected works! Free of charge!" As the crowd claps, Golden Locks catches the eye of a witch, and before Harry knows it, a towering stack of books is shoved into his arms.

I lead Harry out of the crowd with Ginny's help and into an empty part of the bookstore. Fred, George, Hermione, and Ron join us after a second. Harry dumps the books in Ginny's cauldron. "You have these. I'll buy my-"

"Famous Harry Potter. Can't even go into a book shop without making the front page."

We turn to see a slicked back blonde kid who looks the same age as Ron. "Aww, are you jealous," I ask, raising an eyebrow. The boy narrows his eyes as Fred and George high five me.

"Look Potter, got yourself a girlfriend," he said to Harry.

I smirk. "He's totally jealous. The only person who would ever do a Malfoy is a house elf, and they have to, since they do whatever you ask. At least I'm young and attractive."

Fred, George, and Ron snicker. At this point, the boy looks pissed. He opens his mouth, but he is cut off. "Now now Draco, play nicely."

I groan as a man with long platinum blonde hair walks over. "Ah... Mr. Potter. I don't believe we've met," Lucius Malfoy extends his hand, as if offering to shake Harry's, but instead gently plays his fingers over the fringe of Harry's scalp, revealing Harry's scar. At his touch, Harry withdraws, ever so slightly. "Forgive me, Mr. Potter. But your scar is legend. As, of course, is the wizard who gave it to you," Lucius withdrew his hand.

"He was a murderer," Harry said.

"Yes, a pity about your parents. I'm curious that you yourself should escape with a mere flesh wound. Curious, too, that you speak of him in the past. Surely, you don't think He-Who-Must-Not-Be- Named is gone forever," Lucius's eyes glinted with excitement.

I narrow my eyes at him. "His name is Voldemort." Those within earshot gasp as I say the name.

"You must be very brave, to dare speak his name. Or foolish," he said to me.

"Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself," Hermione said to him.

Lucius Malfoy's eyes slide to Hermione. "You must be Miss Granger. Draco's told me all about you... and your parents. Muggles, aren't you?" he tries not to show his distaste, but it's obvious.

"At least bookworm isn't a product of incest," I snarl as Dad hurries over. He dumps a bunch of books in Ginny's cauldron.

"It's mad in here. Let's go outside," he puffed.

"Well, well, well -- Weasley Senior," Lucius narrowed his eyes.

"Becky with the good hair," Dad sighed.

"Busy time at the Ministry. All those raids. I hope they're paying you overtime," Malfoy reaches into Ginny's cauldron, removing a very old, battered copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration. "Obviously not. Dear me, What's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?"

"We have a very different idea about what disgraces the name of wizard, Lucius," Dad said. Lucius glanced at the Grangers.

"Clearly. The company you keep, Weasley. And I thought your family could sink no lower." Dad moves to hit Lucius.

Hagrid steps forward and puts a firm hand on his shoulder. "Ignore 'im, Arthur." Dad backs away as Mum comes out of the crowd.

"What is going on?" she asked.

"He's going on about how he's rich, but he's stealing Ginny's book," I tell her.

Lucius tosses Ginny's battered textbook back into her cauldron. "Here, girl. Take your book. It's the best your father can give you," Lucius and Draco walk out.

Hagrid looks at us. "No Malfoy's worth listenin' ter. Rotten ter the core, the whole family."

Chapter 2 - Hogwarts Hogwarts Hoggie Hoggie Hogwarts

I pushed my trolley into the wall and materialised on the other side. Ginny followed me, and we rushed onto the train and into a compartment. A girl is already in there. She has blonde hair tied in a ponytail and is reading a newspaper upside down. I sat down opposite her. "Hi," I say. "Hello," she said in a sing-song voice. "My name is Peyton, and this is my sister Ginny," I tell her. "I'm Luna Lovegood," the girl said. "You're reading the Quibbler upside down," Ginny told her. Luna eyed Ginny. "No I'm not."

I look at Ginny, then back at Luna. "What's in the Quibbler today?" I asked. "A report about Nargle infestations," Luna said. I held out my hand. "Can I read?" I asked. She handed it over, and I looked through. "Interesting," I said.

"Where are the boys?"

I turned to see Ginny peering out the window. I shrug. "Who knows with those two. They are as predictable as an angry woman," I said, making Ginny giggle. "Harry and Ron aren't on the train," she said. I shrug again. "They probably pissed someone off, couldn't make it to the train, stole mum's car, and are flying to Hogwarts right now. But that is just my guess. Like I said, they are unpredictable," I said.

"Not really," Luna said. I looked at her. "Harry Potter, right? He's right over there," Luna pointed out the window. I looked to see a flying car go past.

And in the front seat were Harry and Ron. I groan. "Those two are ridiculous," I said. Ginny agreed.

When we got to Hogwarts, Ginny and I were in a boat. We were supposed to row to the castle. Some first year tradition, I guess. In another boat, a boy with brown hair started to fall. As soon as he touched the water, his boat moved back to the upright position with him safely in it. "Protection spell," Ginny whispered. I started rowing faster.

Hogwarts was even more amazing on the inside. The stairs seemed to go on forever. Professor McGonagall turned to face us outside two enormous doors. "The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily. Wait here," she said, then went inside. We had to wait for ages. "What do you think they're doing in there?" Ginny whispers. "Harvesting the skin of children for us to eat," I whisper back. Ginny shudders, and I laugh as the door opens. "We're ready for you now. Follow me," Professor McGonagall opened the doors, and we shuffled in.

There are four long tables down the side and a teacher table up the front. I spot Fred and George, but I can't see Harry or Ron anywhere. I lock eyes with Hermione, who shrugs.

Ginny clings to my arm as Professor Dumbledore gives his speech. The fact that the boys were missing gave her more anxiety. Professor McGonagall held a hat over a chair and cleared her throat. "Creevey, Colin."

A small boy with blonde hair and a camera round his neck walked forward and sat on the chair. McGonagall placed the hat on his head. "GRYFFINDOR!"

It went all the way through to P, where Parkinson, Nora got sorted into Slytherin. She ran to the table. "Potter- '' Immediately, everyone started whispering. "Did you know Harry wasn't an only child?" I asked Ginny. She shook her head. McGonagall cleared her throat, making everyone quiet. "Thank you. Potter, Peyton ."

I looked at Ginny. Nobody stepped up or even moved. "I think that's you," Ginny whispered. I stepped slowly up to the hat, ignoring the whispers, sitting down slowly.

Hmm, very interesting. Ambitious, resourcefulness, strong personality, all the traits of a Slytherin.

Yay, I thought miserably.

There is something in your head, something strong. Your power is unstoppable, more powerful than anything I've ever seen before. Except once . . . how interesting.

What is that supposed to mean?

You will understand one day. For now . . . . GRYFFINDOR!

I grin, running to Gryffindor table and sitting next to Fred and George. "I can't believe you're a Potter," Fred said. "I know," I agreed.

"Weasley, Ginny," McGonagall finally called. "GRYFFINDOR!" The hat yelled, and Ginny ran over. "I'm so glad we are in the same house!" I squealed. "And you are a Potter! Did you know?" Ginny asked. I shook my head. "I knew my adoptive parents were dead, but I never suspected this!" I told her. "I should've thought. You are pretty enough to be Harry's sister," she sighed dreamily. Just as I was about to gag, Dumbledore's speech ended, and the food arrived.

Chapter 3 - New Roomies

I sit down on the couch in front of the fire, well aware of the eyes boring into the back of my head. "You can stop looking at me now," I said. Out of the corner of my eye, I see people look away. I roll my eyes and turn around, just as Harry and Ron walk into the Tower. Immediately, everyone's attention is back on us.

"What is going on?" Ron asked. No one says anything, just looks at me. I opened my mouth, then shut it, then opened it again. "Peyton is your sister," Ginny says quickly, mouthing sorry to me. Harry frowns. "What?" he asked. I run my hands down my face. "I can't deal with this right now," I said, walking upstairs to my dorm and starting to unpack my bag. I spot an envelope at the bottom and grab it.

Dear Peyton

I suppose now you have figured out who your family is. We are sorry we didn't tell you. We know you have a lot of questions, so let us tell you the whole story.

Lily Potter was pregnant with her second child when You-Know-Who attacked. Dumbledore brought her to St. Mungos, and they managed to save the baby. You were put in an incubation pod to help you grow. Dumbledore came to us, asking us if we wanted to take you in. We weren't sure at first, not because we didn't want you, but because we didn't think we could provide you a good home. But in the end, we decided to keep you.

We are sorry we didn't tell you. I hope you forgive us.

Love,

Mum and Dad

Inside the envelope was another letter. I pulled it out, sitting on my bed.

Dear my beautiful baby girl,

I hope you never have to read this letter. But in case something happens, I want you to have this. If something happens, I want you to have something from me.

You are my daughter, Peyton Mary Marlene Potter. You are named after my sister, Petunia, and my best friends, Mary McDonald and Marlene McKinnon. You are the god daughter of Marlene McKinnon and Remus Lupin, and the daughter of Lily and James Potter. You are the younger sister of Harry James Potter.

I love you so much, Pey. Always

Your mother, Lily Marie Potter

I stared at the letter for so long, only looking up when the door opened. I stood up, turning around. Ginny walked in with three other girls. "Hey," Ginny said. "Hi," I replied. "So you're Peyton Potter?" one of the girls asked. I shrugged. "I guess so." The girl smiled. "My name is Aubrey Matthews," she said. Aubrey had long blonde hair that hung in a braid down her back and dark brown eyes. "I'm Kella Rogers," another girl said. She had wavy dark brown hair and teal green eyes. I smiled. "I'm Ginny Weasley," Ginny told them. "I'm Matilda Covey," the last girl said. She had light amber hair that ran down her back and bright blue eyes

"I would introduce myself, but apparently you already know, so that would be pointless," I said. The girls giggle. "I can't believe you exist. I mean, no one knows about you," Aubrey said. I shrugged. "I didn't know. All I knew was I was adopted by the Weasleys and my birth parents died in the war. I didn't know I was related to the Lily and James Potter," I said. Ginny nodded. "That was all any of us knew. Except probably mum and dad. They had to have known," she said.

Aubrey sat down on her bed. "I hope you're prepared for tomorrow. You will be front page news," she said. I groaned and fell back onto the bed closest to the window. "Seriously!?" I whined. Kella and Matilda laughed. "What's that?" Ginny asked, spotting the letter still in my hand. "A letter from Lily," I said. "I'm going to bed. I can't wait for tomorrow," I lay down on my bed and pressed my palms against my eyes. "You'll steal it away from Harry and Ron. I can't believe they crashed our car into a tree!" Ginny exclaimed. I sat up. "They did what!?"

Aubrey

I rolled over and sighed. I could hear Ginny snoring, and Matilda was murmuring in her sleep. Kella was tossing and turning, making a ruckus. I look over to Peyton's bed to see her sitting up, staring out the window. "Penny, for your thoughts?" I asked. She looked over. "More like a dime," she whispered. I sit up and look at her. "What're you thinking about?" I asked. Peyton shook her head. "I should've known," she whispered. I shook my head. "There was no way you could've known," I said. Peyton shook her head. "You're wrong about that," she said. She turned around and swept her dark brown hair to the side.

A jagged line ran down her neck from the bottom of her hair for about an inch.

It was shaped like a lightning bolt.

Chapter 4 - Lessons and News Articles

When I went into the Great Hall, the entire room went silent. I swept my hair out of my eyes and sat down next to Fred, George, and Lee Jordan. "Hi," I said. "Good morning not-my-sister," Fred said. "Hey not-my-brother," I said back. "You look gloomy," George said. "Considering you're a celebrity, I don't see why," Fred added. "What?" I asked. Lee passed me a newspaper. My photo was on the front cover. I looked at the heading.

"PEYTON POTTER, THE GIRL WHO LIVED! They really aren't that original," I said. Fred grinned. "Well Dad said that the Daily Prophet has been harassing him ever since they found out you were a Weasley," he said. I threw the paper on the table. "Look at the paper. It's Potter."

Aubrey, Ginny, Matilda and Kella sat down. "Good morning," Matilda said. "What's on the news?" Ginny asked, holding out her hand for the newspaper. I slid it along the table, taking a sip of juice.

Ginny chuckled. "Peyton Potter, the girl who lived. The girl has been thrust into the spotlight with the news of her true heritage and family after living with Arthur Weasley's family for 11 years. When asked about the girl, Weasley refused to comment, saying that Peyton Potter was family, and he would not discuss private matters with the public. The Daily Prophet has not gotten word from Molly Weasley about how she got the child, but we will be getting a story from her soon."

Ginny folded the paper and threw it at me. "That is a bunch of bullshit," Fred said. "That I am family or what?" I asked. Fred rolled his eyes. "That they are getting anything out of Mom. It's impossible to get anything from her," he said. George laughed. "Ain't that the truth," he said. I chuckled.

The hall went silent again and I looked up. Harry, Ron and Hermione walked in. They spotted us and walked over. "Hey," Harry said awkwardly. "Hi," I said, looking at my food. The table went quiet. Hermione sat down next to Ginny and the boys sat next to Kella. I pushed my food around on my plate. I could feel everyone's eyes on me. "So, Pey," Ron said, looking at me. I glance at him. "Yeah?" I ask. "Hi," he said. I looked at Matilda, who was trying hard not to laugh. "Hi Ron," I said back. He looked at Hermione, who stared back. Ron flinched and muttered ow. I realised Hermione must've kicked him.

"Well, as much as I'd like to wait for you to say whatever Hermione told you, I have potions. I think Snape hates our family even more now, so I don't want to be late," I said. Kella stood up. "I'll come with you," she said. I stood up and waved goodbye to the others.

Kella and I walked out of the Great Hall. "Can we go to Gryffindor Tower? I forgot my notebook," she said. I nodded. We started up the staircase to the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Caput Draconis," Kella said and she swung forward. We walked inside. "I'll wait here," I told Kella, who nodded.

I sat down in front of the fire on the soft cushions and sighed.

CLICK!

I turned around to see Colin Creevey standing near me with his camera. "What are you doing kid?" I asked. "Taking a photo. Can you sign it? Please?" he asked. "No. Delete it," I told him calmly. Colin sighed. "But you're a hero, a role model! You came from a poor family and look at you now!" he said. I looked at myself. "I'm not a role model kid," I said. Colin pouted. "Give me the camera kid," I said. Colin held it away. I wrinkled my nose. "Give the role model her photo," I tried. I looked at him, then snatched the photo, then threw it in the fire. Colin gasped. "Don't take photos of me again, kid. Or your camera will be next," I said.

Kella walked down the stairs. "Everything good?" she asked. I nodded. "Me and Colin were just chatting," I said. Kella nodded and walked towards the Fat Lady. "Don't underestimate me kid," I whispered, before following Kella out.

I shuddered as I walked into the Dungeons. "Is it just me or is there a blood smell in here?" I whispered. Kella shrugged. "This place gives me the creeps. Glad I'm not in Slytherin," she said.

"Rude."

I turned to see a Slytherin boy leaning against the wall with a cigarette in his mouth. I rolled my eyes. "Pot, kettle, black," I said. The boy tilted his head. "Fair point. Although you should apologise for the stereotype," he said with a smirk. I chuckled. "Give me a reason to believe you're not a psychotic evil death eater?"

The boy smiled. "That's for you to decide," he said. "See you in potions."

The boy strutted off and I looked at Kella, who shrugged. We followed him down to the Potions classroom.

When about 15 more people arrived, the door opened and we all walked in.

The Potions teacher, Professor Snape, was a tall wizard, with dark hair that went to his shoulders, and hazel eyes filled with hatred all reserved for me.

I sat down next to Kella and Aubrey. Snape stood at the front of his class looking down on us. Our Potions class consisted of a quarter of the Gryffindor year 1s and quarter of the Slytherins, a quarter of the Hufflepuff and a quarter of the Ravenclaw. I recognized a few, like Neville Longbottom's brother Dustin.

"There will be no wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion making. However, for those select few . . . ," Snape looked at the Slytherins, who smirked. " . . . who possess the predisposition, I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and enslave the senses."

I looked at Aubrey, who mouthed what Snape was saying. I tried not to hide my smile, but Snape caught it anyway.

"I see this year we have been joined by yet another celebrity. Let's see if you are smarter than your brother. Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" He asked. I squeezed my eyes shut. "Umm, sleeping potion?" I asked.

Snape lifted his head. "And where would you look if I asked you to find a bezoar?" He said. I bit my lip. "Stomach of a cow is it?" I said. A Slytherin boy snickered. "It's goat, Miss Celebrity," he said. Snape looked over at the boy and smiled. "Thank you, Mister Berkshire. 5 points to Slytherin. And Miss Potter, what is the difference between monk wood and wolfsbane?" He asked.

"Aren't they the same?" I asked. Snape lifted his head. "Correct, Miss Potter. It seems you are smarter than your brother. Hopefully you are not as stupid," he said. "Now all of you, write this down."

~

I walked through the halls, trying to quickly get to Gryffindor Tower.

"I see famous Potter's sister is already the Queen of the school."

I turned around. "Draco. Fabulous to see you as always," I said. "And it's Peyton. I know you have trouble remembering people's first names, so I just thought I'd help you out," I said.

A Slytherin boy laughed. I recognized him from the dungeon with Kella. "Shut up Riddle," Malfoy said. I pointed at Riddle. "See! My point exactly," I said. Riddle laughed. Malfoy glared at him.

"What do you want Draco?" I asked. Malfoy smirked. "Just came to deliver a message from one Seeker to the sister of another. Tell Harry that we'll be beating them in the Quidditch game in a few weeks," he said.

I folded my arms. "I am not an owl. Tell him yourself," I said, turning around.

"Potter."

I grabbed my wand and turned around, pointing it at Malfoy's neck. "Walk away Malfoy. Walk away," I said. I removed my wand and walked off.

Chapter 5 - Potions and Lockfart

"You're doing it wrong."

I turned to glare at Riddle. We were only four weeks into school, and he was already top in Potions, Charms and Transfiguration. He was getting annoying.

Really annoying.

"Shut it Riddle," I said. Riddle chuckled. "You did it wrong. You added the bezoar before the unicorn horns. You add the horn first," he said. I cleaned out my cauldron and started over.

At the end of the lesson, despite having Riddle comment every time I made a mistake, he was the only one who managed to successfully complete the potion. 10 points had been added to Slytherin.

I followed the others out of the classroom and up the stairs. "I'll meet you in the Great Hall. Stupid Lockhart insisted I meet him in his office," I said. "Are you kidding? He's a psychotic egomaniac. Just come with us," Matilda said. I scoffed. "And risk getting a detention and having to be forced to stay with him. Not a chance," I said. Ginny laughed.

I hurried along the corridor to the Defence against the Dark Arts classroom. The door opened and Fred and George came out. "Madame Girl who Lived," they said, bowing. "Shove off," I said, pushing past them and inside.

"Potter."

I mouthed shit and turned around.

Riddle was leaning against the door frame. I sighed and folded my arms. "What do you want, Riddle?" I asked. Riddle chuckled. "And what makes you think I want anything with you?" He said. I rolled my eyes.

"Ahh, so you've met."

I gritted my teeth. "Professor." I spun around. Riddle chuckled. "Lockhart," he said. Gilderoy smirked. "Sir, why are we here?" I asked. "You are the two most attentive students in my class. I would like for you two to help me answer my fan mail after dinner tonight. For extra credit of course."

I would rather kill myself.

"Well, I'm sorry, Professor, but I'm really behind in Potions. But Riddle is really good at Potions, so why don't he help you with your letters, and I'll catch up on my homework. I'm really sorry," I said, turning to leave.

"Maybe Riddle could tutor you," Lockhart offered. I turned to glare at Riddle, who smirked. "Sure." I opened my mouth to object, but Lockhart shushed me. "Go, get a head start. I'll see you both after dinner."

He turned around and I stormed out of the class. The door shut behind Riddle. "What the hell!" I said, spinning on my heel. Riddle smirked. "Think I'm suffering by myself Potter? You have seriously gone mental," he said. I kicked him and ran off. "You're mental if you think I'm going anyway," I yelled.

~~

I walked with Matilda through the corridors. "Please say you have a tiny idea about how to finish the stupid Potions assignments," Matilda said. I looked at her and laughed. "Maybe Hermione will know," I said.

We turned round the corner and stopped. There were crowds of people. "What's going on?" I asked. I pushed through the crowd.

Harry, Hermione and Ron were standing by a wall. There was writing, in blood. "The chamber of secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir beware. What the hell does that mean?" I said. Hermione pointed to the wall.

Mrs. Norris was standing on the side of the wall, mouth open not moving. I pressed my hands to my mouth. "Oh my god," Matilda whispered.

I grabbed Harry's arm. "What the hell happened?" I asked firmly. His mouth opened and he looked around. "Harry!"

"What's going on 'ere?"

I spun around to see Filch pushing through the crowd. "Mrs. Norris," he said quietly. He turned to Harry, Ron, Hermione and me. "You did this," he said to Harry.

"You killed her. I'll kill you!" He lunged for Harry, but I pulled Harry out of the way. "Phasmastos incendia," I said and a halo of fire formed around us.

Filch stopped fighting and glared at us.

"That's enough Miss Potter."

I turn to see Professor Dumbledore striding up with the other teachers. I waved my hand and the fire snuffed out. He looked at the wall and a flicker of shock crossed his face. "Everyone back to your dormitories," he said. I turned to leave. "Except you four."

I spun around. "I swear I had nothing to do with this. I just got here, ask Matilda," I said defensively. "You can go then Miss Potter. You three stay here," Professor Dumbledore said.

I grabbed Matilda's arm and we ran down the hall.

Chapter 6 - The Vision

I opened my eyes. The halls were empty, and a green light shone through the halls. "Hello?" I called, but my words fell on empty ears.

"Ginny?!"

Peyton . . .

"Who is this? What's happening!?" I yell. "Matilda! Kella! Aubrey! Anyone!"

I heard a hiss behind me and turned around. Something slithered in the shadows. I took a step forward. The slithering sound came closer and I breathed shakily, biting my lips so hard they went raw.

The slithering grew louder and I screamed.

~

Peyton.

Peyton.

"Peyton!"

My eyes shot open and I screamed.

"Hey, it's okay."

I blinked and the dots covering my eyelids faded. Ginny's face stared back at me. "What happened?" Matilda asked.

I swallowed hard. "Nothing happened. Just a . . bad dream," I said, crawling out of bed. I pulled on my shirt and grabbed my tie. "Pey," Ginny grabbed my arm. I pulled away. "Don't. I'm perfect," I say. I pull on my robe and walk downstairs. "Peyton! Peyton, wait up."

I sigh as I rush downstairs. "I said I'm fine, Aubrey."

"Hey Pey," Aubrey spun me around. "Look I know you like to act like things don't bother you, but I know this does. At first we thought you were sleeping in, but at noon yesterday you started thrashing and - "

"Yesterday? How long have I been asleep?" I asked.

"3 days."

I turned to see Harry, Ron and Hermione running over. "Fabulous, the unstoppable trio is here," I said with a sigh. "Are you okay?" Hermione asked. "Fine," I said. "Now if you excuse me, I have to go eat, since apparently I haven't eaten in 3 days," I said.

"Peyton, talk to me," Aubrey said softly. I shrugged. "I have nothing to say," I turn around and walk out of Gryffindor Tower.

The Great Hall is empty, and I can't tell what time of day it is due to the stupid night sky that's always on the ceiling. I spin on my heel and run down the hall to the kitchen. I open the door and walk in.

House elves stood at benches, cooking our next meals. I sigh and walk over to the bench. A house elf looked at me strangely. "Students aren't supposed to be in the kitchen," he said. I shrug. "I haven't eaten for three days, and I don't believe in slavery. So I'm just here to make a snack. If you have a problem with that, feel free to complain to Dumbledore. Until then, where is the flour?" The elves glared at me, but didn't say any more.

After making two batches of biscuits and sharing a meal with the elves, I exited only to run right into Kella and Matilda. "Pey? What were you doing in the kitchen?" Kella asked. "Eating. Biscuit," I said, holding it out. "We've been looking for you for an hour!" Matilda said. I shrugged. "I'm fine. Seriously." Matilda and Kella exchanged a look.

"Well Dumbledore wants to see you in his office. Like now," Kella said. I scrunch my nose. "Fabulous. See you in the dorm," I said, walking off. "Peyton wait," Matilda grabbed my arm. "Okay, you have been acting weird since . . . well since the night Filch's cat was found. I know somethings wrong," she said. "Nothings wrong, Mat. I just . . . ," I turned away. "It's hard to explain. I'll tell you what happened but . . . not right now. It's just complicated," I said. Kella smiled. "It's okay, Pey. We just want you to talk to us. We're your friends, no matter what weird shit you go through."

I hug them, then walk off down the hall. Professor McGonagall is waiting by Dumbledore's office. She turned to the massive griffin in the doorway. "Lemon Drop."

The griffin twisted, revealing a staircase. "Best not keep him waiting," she said. I glanced at her before walking up the staircase.

I knocked on the door. "Professor?" I called. Slowly, I turn the doorknob and push the door open.

Dumbledore's office was a large circular room with many windows and many portraits of old people. On the shelf immediately behind Dumbledore's desk sat the sorting hat. I smile.

Well well, we meet again Miss Potter.

I turned to see the sorting hat staring at me. "Sorting Hat."

You seem surprised to see me.

I look at my feet.

What happened?

I look at him. "What do you mean?" I asked.

In your vision?

"I never said I had a vision."

I see with more than just eyes, girl. Godric had similar visions.

I widen my eyes. "Godric Gryffindor had visions like mine?"

The hat nodded. He confided everything in me. Like a diary. He started having visions at 13 years old. That's how he became friends with Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. He saw them in a vision and spent 2 years trying to find them. But it was his visions that destroyed his friendship.

"How?" I asked when the hat didn't continue.

He had a vision of Salazar killing them. He confronted Salazar, who was heartbroken at the accusations. It drove them apart, creating a wedge. In the end, Salazar fulfilled it, and killed the founders, and then himself.

I covered my mouth with my hand. "So if Gryffindor had ignored the warnings, Slytherin never would've . . . you know."

Killed himself and his best friends? I never stop thinking about it. But because of what happened, Slytherin is viewed as the evil traitorous house. All the murderous witches and wizards get sorted there. Don't lie, I've seen inside people's heads. All people think of Slytherins is untrustworthiness and evil.

I run my hand through my hair. I sigh. Your vision, Miss Potter?

I describe it to the hat. Interesting. I suppose that is why nobody could wake you.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Salazar's monster is supposed to be able to kill on sight. Because you saw it in a vision, you only had a temporary coma.

I nodded. "Makes a tiny bit of sense. But not much."

"Never does."

I turn to see Professor Dumbledore walking over to me. "Professor," I said nervously. He took a seat at his desk. "What did you see in your vision?" he asked. I swallowed. "The castle was empty. I was in the hallway. And there was a monster in the shadows. I screamed and then . . . woke up," I said. "How long was the vision?" Dumbledore asked. "3 minutes tops. I didn't hear the monster until the last minute."

Dumbledore looks at the hat. "You think a minute was a day in my vision?" I said. He nodded. I bite my lip. "It was weird, though. I wasn't . . human-like. I was small, and walking on my hands and knees. And there was water all over the floor. When the monster came out, I froze. Then woke," I said.

"That's not a vision," the hat said. "It's a recap. You weren't Peyton. You were Mrs. Norris."

Chapter 7 - the Truce

I leaned against the wall, stringing a yoyo up and down. There was a noise on the stairs and I turned around.

"Look who's back from the dead."

I sigh. "Aren't you meant to be in the dungeon sucking out souls?" I asked. Riddle smirked. "I don't play by the rules, Potter," he said. "I know," I rolled my eyes.

"How come you're alive all of a sudden?" Riddle asked. I sigh. "According to the Sorting Hat, I had a recap vision of what happened to Mrs. Norris . . . as Mrs. Norris." Riddle chuckled. "Wicked. You're full of surprises."

I frown. "Why are you here, Riddle?" I asked. "Curiosity. You've been gone for three days and I saw about twenty people looking for you." I roll my eyes again. "Fabolous. There are probably triple that waiting for me inside. Why do you think I was seeking refuge out here before you came along? Thank you for ruining my fun," I said sarcastically. Riddle smirked. "You're very welcome."

I push past him. "Why do you hate me?" Riddle asked. I turn around. "What?"

"Ever since day one, you've hated me. I've helped you with classes and you still hate me. Why?" he asked. I shrugged. "I . . . don't know. You're a - "

"Slytherin?" Riddle said. I sigh. "I guess I stereotyped you. What am I supposed to say?" I asked. "If I was a Hufflepuff or Gryffindor, would you treat me differently?" he asked. "I don't know," I said. "If you were a Gryffindor you would be dating Ginny and besties with Ron and Harry. Main character vibes everyone," I waved my hands in the air. '

Riddle chuckled. "Sounds like fun. Fame and fortune," he said. I smiled. "Trust me, it's not all it sounds. At least with Harry people already knew he was the chosen one. With me its . . . it's different," I said. Riddle tilted his head. "Just fortune then," he said. "You can have the fame, I'll have the fortune," I said.

Riddle laughed. "Let's start over then. I'm Mattheo Riddle," he said, holding out his hand. I clasped his and smirked. "Peyton Potter," I said. We laughed. "Well goodnight Peyton. See you in Potions," he said.

I smile. "See you . . Mattheo," I walked up the steps to Gryffindor Tower. "Caput Draconis," I said quietly. I may have made up with him, but I definitely didn't trust him with the password. The Fat Lady swung forward and I walked in, smiling to myself.

"Peyton!"

I turned around. "Harry, Hermione, fabulous to see you, as always. Umm, I'm going to sleep now. Bye," I said, pushing past them. Harry grabbed my wrist. "Peyton, wait," he said. "What's going on with you?" I yanked my arm away. "Let's get one thing straight, Potter. Nothing has changed since the day we met at the Burrow. You are not my brother, you are Ron's friend. That's all you'll ever be. The Weasleys are my family through and through. Stop trying to be someone you're not," I said, spinning on my heel and running up to my dorm.

Chapter 8 - Detention Missus Potter

I doodle on my paper, completely zoned out to Snape's dull voice. The class goes silent. I look up to see everyone looking at me.

"Miss Potter." I jump at his voice behind me. "Professor Snape," I said, swallowing. "No doodling during my class, Potter. 10 points from Gryffindor and detention."

I scrunch my face up. "Yes sir," I said. He walks back up to the front of the class. "Good luck with that," Aubrey whispered. Snape whipped around. "Miss Rogers detention," he said. Kella's mouth dropped open. "But sir, I didn't - " "Detention Rogers, Potter and Matthews," Snape said. Kella looks at us in annoyance.

"You better have a good reason for ruining Friday night for us Peyton," Kella grumbled. I roll my eyes. "What were you planning to do? Snape assigned us a three foot essay," I said. Aubrey groans. "What is it with Snape and homework?" I grumbled. Ginny nodded her agreement. "Maybe if I put it off I'll miss out on the Quidditch match," I say with a grin.

"I still don't understand why you don't want to go to the match," Matilda said. "Two words; Harry Potter," we turn round the corner and I bump into Mattheo. "Sorry," I say, moving out of the way. Mattheo smiles and walks off. Kella waits until he is out of hearing distance. "What happened?" she asked. "What do you mean?" I say innocently.

"You and Riddle?" Kella said. I frown. "Nothing happened," I told her. "We just talked," I said. "Just talked? You went from enemies to besties!" Matilda said. I roll my eyes. "Nothing happened. Can we go eat now?"

"When Snape said you'd gotten detention, I was disappointed in you. But I never miss an opportunity. Which brings me here."

I closed my eyes and tried to block out his voice. I would rather be scraping vomit buckets with Kella and Aubrey than here.

"We will be answering some fan mail until I decide it's time to stop. Any questions?" Lockhart asked. I tilt my head. "Can we reschedule until during the Quidditch game?" I ask. Lockhart stared at me and I opened one of the letters.

"How was Lockie?" Ginny asked as I walked in. "I would rather eat my own puke, then puke it up, then eat it again, than do another detention with Lockhart," I said. Ginny laughed, holding out a chocolate frog. "Try not to puke it up." I laughed as Kella and Aubrey walked in. "How was puke buckets?" Matilda asked. Kella shuddered. "Horrid," she said. Aubrey smiled. "You didn't think it was so bad when you were scraping with Carmen," she said.

My jaw dropped and I stared at Kella. "Carmen Pankow?" I said. "He's cute!" Kella said. "She's not wrong," Matilda said. I roll my eyes. "You guys are ridiculous," Aubrey said. "You were too busy wooing over his brother Georgie," Kella replied. "Did everyone fall in love in detention?" Ginny asked.

"Oh yeah, I'm in love with Lockhart and we're getting married tomorrow," I said sarcastically and Aubrey laughed. "You're too busy with Riddle," she teased. I wrinkled my nose. "Nope. No," I said. "I'm going to have a shower. Good night," I walked up the stairs, blocking out the mocking kissing noises.

Chapter 9 - GRYFFINDOR vs SLYTHERIN

I shoved a chocolate frog in my mouth and leaned against the bench. "When is this over?" I asked. "Pey, the game hasn't even started," Aubrey said with an annoyed look on her face. I looked at the card. "Damn, I got Gryffindor." I sighed. "I don't understand why everyone is always on about quidditch. It is stupid and dangerous," I said, folding my arms.

The Slytherin team flew out onto the pitch. The captain, Marcus Flint, came out first, followed by the chasers, beaters, keeper and the seeker, Draco Malfoy.

The Gryffindor team flew out. The Captain, Oliver Wood, flew out with Fred and George, (the beaters), the chasers and (bleh) Harry, the seeker.

They all circled around Madam Hooch. She blew the whistle and tossed the quaffle into the air. The snitch darted around and the bludgers struck through the air.

"Bye, I said, standing up. "Where are you going?" Kella asked. "Anywhere else," I replied, walking down the stairs. I reached the ground and started heading towards the castle. "Don't wanna watch?"

I turned to see Mattheo leaning against the stadium. "Quidditch is a stupid sport. Not a fan. And I don't want to watch Harry being a snobby overconfident attention-seeking toad," I folded my arms. "What about you?" Mattheo smirked. "I bet against Slytherin winning and got kicked out. Apparently if I want to root for Gryffindor I have to stand with them," he said.

I laughed and walked over to him. "I highly doubt Slytherin will win. but I'm sure the chosen one will do something and mess it up for everyone," I scowled. Mattheo tilted his head. "You really hate him, don't you?" he asked.

I rolled my eyes. "I am a part of the Harry Potter Hate club. That's probably why the hat wanted me in Slytherin," I said. Mattheo raised his eyebrow. "Why weren't you then?" I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "Apparently, I have unstoppable power, more than anything Hattie's ever seen except once. And when I asked what the hell that meant he/ she said I'd find out eventually. God I hate that hat."

Mattheo smiled. "At least you're more powerful than Potter." I spun round. "I am, aren't I?" I grinned.

There was a crashing sound and I gaped as Harry and Draco zoomed past chased by a bludger, trying to catch the snitch. I groaned. "Seriously, I shouted. I threw a rock, but they were already out of reach. "Asshole!" I yelled.

Mattheo laughed. I stared at the destruction the boys had caused. "He is unbelievable. He probably rigged the stupid bludger so he could get even more attention," I kicked a rock and Mattheo chuckled.

There were gasps and shouts from the stadium. "Boom! I'm not giving him the satisfaction of me going in there. Or even waiting," I walk away from the stadium. I walked a few feet before stopping and turning around. "Are you coming?" I asked. Mattheo grinned and jogged over.

I pulled a piece of parchment out of my pocket along with my wand. "Do you know the duplication spell? I found the twins using this and searched for three days trying to find a way to duplicate it. A NEWT spell is nothing for the most powerful being of all time," I cackled evilly. I place my wand on the parchment. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Ink spread across the page. "The Marauders Map," Mattheo whispered. "Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs." I pulled him away from the stadium. "Effingo," I say and the parchment duplicates. "Say mischief managed and it becomes a scrap piece of parchment again," I told him. I point to a secret passage. "That goes straight to Honeydukes. Now, I don't know about you but I am craving Acid Pops," I say with a grin.

When I get back to Gryffindor tower, full of Cauldron cakes, Chocolate frogs and so many other sweets, hidden under my hat, everyone is freaking out. "Let me guess," I said when I reached the twins. "Harry did something stupid and is in the hospital wing," I said.

Fred laughed. " A rogue bludger tried to kill him. It was rigged to chase him. "Attention seeker," I said in a sing-song voice. "Butterbeer," I offered a bottle to George. He frowned. "Where did you get this?" he asked. I grin. "From Moody, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs," I say, holding up a piece of parchment. "Happy drinking."

George grabbed my arm. "Where did you get that?" he asked. I tilted my head and smiled wickedly. "This black piece of parchment? A store," I replied innocently. Fred took the paper. "Effingo," I said, and the paper duplicates. "I'll take that. Adios boys," I said, walking upstairs.

Matilda is lying on her bed. "Hey," I said, sitting on mine. "Where have you been?" she asked. "Hogsmeade," I replied. She frowned. "First-years aren't allowed in Hogsmeade," Matilda said pointedly. I smiled. "I know. That's why I took the secret passage."

Matilda sat up. "Secret passage? Where?" she asked. I grinned. "One second. I just got to get something."

***

10 minutes later we were sneaking along the corridor in the invisibility cloak. "This is so cool," Matilda whispered. I shushed her. We turned round the corner and my mouth dropped.

Colin Creevey was lying on the ground, looking terrified. He held his camera in his hands and wasn't moving. I looked up to the door open. Quickly, I pull Matilda over to the corner and cover her mouth.

I spot the door to the Hospital Wing and nudge Matilda. We creep in silently just before it shut. "Dobby!" I hear. We turn around to see a house elf next to Harry. I frown.

"Harry Potter came back to school. Dobby warned him. Harry Potter should have listened to Dobby. Harry Potter should have gone back home when he missed the train!" the house elf said. I looked at Matilda. "It was you! You stopped the barrier from letting Ron and me through!" Harry said. The house elf nodded. "Indeed yes, sir. Dobby hid and watched for Harry Potter and sealed the gateway."

"You nearly got Ron and me expelled!" Harry said, angry. Dobby nodded. "At least you would be away from here. Harry Potter must go home! Dobby thought his Bludger would be enough to make Harry Potter see --" "Your Bludger? You made that Bludger chase after me?" Harry said. I looked at Matilda, who swallowed. We crept around next to Harry facing Dobby.

"Dobby feels most aggrieved, sir. Dobby had to iron his hands..." Dobby waggled his fingers. "You'd better clear off before my bones come back, Dobby, or I might strangle you!" Harry threatened. Dobby smiled weakly. "Dobby is used to death threats, sir. Dobby gets them five times a day at home." Harry sighed. "I don't suppose you could tell me why you're trying to kill me?" he asked.

"Not kill you, sir, never kill you! Dobby remembers how it was before Harry Potter triumphed over He Who Must Not Be Named. We house elves were treated like vermin, sir. Of course, Dobby is still treated like vermin..." Dobby honks his nose on the filthy pillowcase he wears. "Why do you wear that thing, Dobby?" Harry asked

"This, sir? 'Tis a mark of the house elf's enslavement. Dobby can only be freed if his master presents him with clothes. The family is careful not to pass Dobby so much as a sock, sir, for then he would be free to leave their house forever," Dobby's ears quiver. I hear footsteps nudge Matilda. "Terrible things are about to happen at Hogwarts! Harry Potter must not stay here now that history is to repeat itself!" Dobby whispered.

Repeat itself? I mouth. Harry must've read my mind. "Repeat itself? You mean, this has happened before?" he asked. Dobby seizes the Skele-Gro and beats himself about the head. "Tell me, Dobby? When did this happen before? Who's doing it now?" Harry asked. "Dobby cannot say, sir. Dobby only wants Harry Potter to be safe," Dobby said. "Who is it? No, Dobby! Tell me!" Harry asked, but Dobby was already gone. Harry slumps down, pretending to be asleep.

The doors open and Dumbledore, in a nightcap, and McGonagall, in a tartan robe, heave Colin onto an empty bed. Seconds later, Madam Pomfrey bustles in. "What's happened?" she asked. "There's been another attack," he said. Madam Pomfrey gasps.

"Perhaps he managed to get a picture of his attacker..." Professor McGonagall said, pointing to the camera. Dumbledore reached for the camera and opened the back. A jet of steam hisses forth. "What does this mean, Albus?" McGonagall asked. "It means our students are in great danger, Minerva. Mr. Creevey was fortunate. If not for this..." Dumbledore held up the camera. "He would surely be dead."

"What should I tell the staff, Albus?" Professor McGonagall asked, shaken. "Tell them the truth. Tell them Hogwarts is no longer safe. Tell them it's as we feared. The Chamber of Secrets is indeed open again."

********

I burst through the portrait hole and pulled off the invisibility cloak. "Dude!" I whisper-yelled. Matilda's eyes were wide. "Are we gonna get petrified?" she asked. "Relax, don't you pay attention in Herbology? Mandrakes can unpetrify," I told her.

"What about the secret passage?" Matilda asked. "A kid has been petrified and you're worried about a secret passage?" I said. Matilda nodded. I rolled my eyes. "We'll be fine. I'm glad I didn't smash Creevey's camera."

Matilda giggled. "What even is the chamber of secrets?" she asked. I shrugged. "Ask Hermione. I would, but she hovers around the boys," I said. "Where did you get that invisibility cloak?" Matilda asked. "Snagged it from Harry's room," I said. "Feel free to ask him."

I folded the cloak and walked upstairs to the boys dormitory and dumped the cloak in Harry's trunk before running silently to my own bed.

But sleep would not come.

Chapter 10 - The Problem with Ginny Weasley

The next day was weird. The whole school was buzzing, and the teachers decided to set up a club to teach us how to duel. But of course, Harry had to ruin it by speaking to a snake and scaring all the children.

So then that stopped.

Luckily, Kella was from a powerful family that taught her how to duel when she was 4. She taught our entire dorm room multiple spells, like Expelliarmus, Depulso, and Reducto. Ginny proved to be exceptionally good at the Bat Bogey Hex and Reducto.

Speaking of which, Ginny has been acting weirder than usual, always hiding in the corner, writing in her diary.

"Hold your wand like this," Kella said, adjusting my stance. "Flipendo!" I yelled, waving my wand. The targets knocked back. "Very good," she said. I smiled. There was a knock on the door. "Reducio," Aubrey said and the targets shrunk. I picked up the targets and placed them on top of the dresser. Matilda opened the door. Lavender and Parvati, two girls in Harry's year were at the door. "Some Slytherin is looking for you, Peyton," Parvati said. "Who?" I asked. "You know who Peyton - I mean Peytheo," Kella teased. I tossed my scarf at her head before leaving.

Mattheo was waiting outside. "Hey Riddle," I leaned against the wall. "Hey Potter," he replied. "What's up?" I asked. He hesitated. "I'm worried about your sister," he said. I frowned. "What?" Mattheo pulled out his copy of the Marauders Map. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," he said. The map began to reveal itself, and Mattheo pointed to a spot on the map. Ginny's name was in a spot on the map that didn't exist. "What?" I snatched the map. "Surely there is a mistake," I looked at him. Mattheo shook his head. "There isn't. And I've tried to find her but it's impossible," he said. "Mischief Managed," I said. "When she gets back I'll talk to her."

Mattheo nodded and left. "Caput Draconis," I said and came back in. I walked upstairs, where Kella, Matilda and Aubrey were still practising. "What happened?" Matilda asked. I ignored her, grabbing the map out of my pocket. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," I mumbled. Ginny's name appeared. Matilda looked at the map. "Is that a live map of Hogwarts?" she inquired. Kella and Aubrey came over to look. "Yup," I said. Kella frowned. "Where is Ginny?" she asked, pointing to Ginny. "No idea," I said. "Mattheo just pointed it out to me. Have you noticed her acting weird lately?" I said. "Mattheo has one of these?" Matilda made a face. "Yeah. I gave it to him," I said. Aubrey glanced at Kella with a small smile. "Oh shut up, both of you," I folded my arms. "We didn't say anything," Kella grinned. "Yeah well your face did," I whacked her with the map. "Where did you get it?" Matilda asked. I shrugged. "I duplicated a copy off Fred and George," I told them. "Fred and George have a map?" Aubrey exclaimed. "Makes sense. How else would they pull off everything," Kella commented. "They are Fred and George, they would have found a way," I replied.

The girls giggled. "How does that map even work?" Kella asked. "It shows everyone, everywhere, what they're doing every minute of every day," I eyed it. "Who made it?" Aubrey asked. I flipped it over. "Messrs. Moody, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs are proud to present the Marauder's Map," Matilda read. "Who are they?" I shrugged. "I dunno. Fred and George said that Filch had confiscated the map, and that they'd nicked it in their first year," I said, sitting on the bed. "Mischief Managed," I tapped the map, and the ink faded. "How did you make it appear?" Kella asked. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," I told her. "Wicked," Matilda whispered.

The door opens, and Ginny walks in. "Hey. We have McGonagall next, right?" she asked, going through her bag. "Yeah. Hey Gin. So, um. Where were you?" Aubrey asked. "Oh I was ... uh eating. In the Great Hall," Ginny answered, grabbing her books out and rearranging everything. "You sure?" Kella asked. I hid the map in my pocket. "Yes, I'm sure. Can we not be late to class?" Ginny asked, holding her books to her chest. "Yeah, okay, let's go," Aubrey widened her eyes at me, Matilda and Kella, grabbing her books. "Yeah, let's just grab our stuff and we'll meet you two downstairs," Matilda said. Aubrey and Ginny left, shutting the door behind them.

"Did you hear what she-" I shushed Kella. "Muffliato," I whispered, casting the silencing charm. "Why is Ginny lying to us?" Matilda asked. "She clearly wasn't in the Great Hall," Kella said. I sighed. "Look, wherever she was, the people who made the map clearly had never been there before. And that is not reassuring," I said. "If something is happening to Ginny, we can't give her any reason to think we don't trust her or suspect her of anything. And we can't interrogate her," Matilda said. I nodded. "Tilly is right. We need to figure out what is going on. And pressuring Ginny won't help. I've known her all my life, I know when something's wrong. And there definitely is something wrong with her," I said. "We can figure that out later. Right now, we can't keep them waiting," Kella said. We grabbed our books and walked downstairs. Ginny and Aubrey were waiting by the portrait. "Sorry we took so long, Kell couldn't find her book," Matilda lied as we reached them. "It's okay, let's go," Aubrey said.

Chapter 11 - The Rest Really

Thanks a lot Harry. Talk about the worst brother ever.

First, he talks to a snake. Boom, we are the 'Heirs of Slytherin.'

Then, he finds another petrified student.

I mean, seriously! People have been giving me weird glances and I don't like it. It's all weird and horrible and it's all Harry's fault.

Not to mention, Ginny has been acting weirder and weirder. She'd disappear for hours, and then return lying about where she'd been.

Everyone'd been eyeing me weirdly since Justin Finch-Fletchley had been petrified. After Harry's show at the duelling lesson, everyone thought we were the heirs of Slytherin. And that just made everything worse.

"I hate him!" I scowled as I marched into the common room. "Who is it now?" Kella didn't even look up from her book. "My stupid brother!" I huffed, sitting on the chair next to her. "Which one, Percy, Fred, George, Ron or Harry?" Matilda asked as she hurriedly tried to finish her potions essay. Despite the amount of petrified students and the stress, the teachers still kept exams going. It was stupid. "All of them! Percy is being annoyingly responsible, Fred and George are treating this like a joke, this is all Harry's fault in the first place and don't even get me started on Ronald," I glared at the wall and the other girls laughed.

Ever since Justin's body had been found, Kella's sister Candace and her friends had been hanging out with us. There were the Adams twins, Caridy and Rebekah, the Vellani twins, MJ and Ashley, the Wright twins, Charlotte and Savannah, Ella Rose Grace, Bridget Greenblatt and Nina Courtsley. Caridy, Rebekah, Candace, Charlotte and Nina were all in Gryffindor, so I'd gotten closest to them. "Would you like some emotional support chocolate? My aunt sent it," Rebekah offered.

For some reason, the girls found it awesome how people thought she was trying to kill people. And despite being muggleborns, they'd been hanging out with her since Justin's body had been found. "I thought you finished your chocolates already?" Nina asked. "I did, these are Caridy's," Rebekah said, popping a chocolate in her mouth.

"What did Harry do now?" Matilda asked. "He's just ruining my life! Everything was fine until he went and talked to that stupid snake. Now everyone hates me! It's the worst," I groaned, slinking down in my seat. "People were getting petrified before he talked to that snake," Rebekah pointed out. "Yeah, but he's just become so annoyingly ... annoying. Like I saw him and Ron literally drug Crabbe and Goyle and shove them in a broom closet then just walk off," I rolled my eyes. "That wasn't concerning to you?" Nina asked. "I don't know, there's been a lot of shit going on at this school. Like on a scale of Harry Potter murders a teacher with his bare hands to there's a giant monster running loose in the basement trying to kill us, was this concerning? No," I shrugged. "Understandable," Aubrey agreed.

Suddenly the door banged open and Caridy ran in with Charlotte right behind her. "Hermione's in the Hospital wing!" she shouted, and everyone turned to look at her. I pointed at them. "Like I said, they are are annoyingly annoying," I said. "What happened?" Rebekah asked. "Her face looks like a cat's face," Charlotte told them. "Why did she need Polyjuice potion?" Ellarose's sister Sarah wondered aloud. "Why would you think it's Polyjuice potion, Sarah?" Rebekah asked. "We learnt about what happens if a human drinks Polyjuice potion with animal hairs in it last year," Sarah explained. "I bet 10 galleons Harry and Ron took Polyjuice potion as well. It would explain why they drugged Crabbe and Goyle and shoved them in a cupboard," I said. "I am not taking that bet," Kella told her.

The next day, Hermione wasn't in classes. Not surprising, given what Sarah had told us about her situation, but still. And even better yet, Moaning Myrtle had flooded the bathroom, and water was leaking through the halls.

Ginny was still acting weird. She seemed to be panicking about something, but anytime anyone would ask, she'd say she was fine. But 'I'm Fine' never means I'm fine.

I'm assuming it has something to do with the book she's always writing in. I spotted Harry with it today, I wonder why he took it. That book is weird, and creepy.

And a few days later, I spotted her coming down from the boys dormitory, and disappearing into our room. "Is it just me or is Ginny acting weirder than normal?" I whispered to Matilda as we played wizards chess. "I don't know with her any more. I just ignore it," the other girl shrugged. An hour or so later, Neville rushed upstairs with Harry, Ron and Hermione. "What happened now?" I groaned. "Let's go see what the matter is," Matilda dragged me upstairs.

The dormitory had been ransacked. Feathers, books, it everywhere, a right pigsty. "What happened here?" Matilda asked. "Someone stole Tom Riddle's Diary," Harry told us. I exchanged a look with Matilda. "Who would do that?" I asked. "I don't know," Ron replied, and Hermione just looked at us.

"Alright, fess up. You know who it was," she demanded the next day before the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. "Why should we tell you?" I asked her. "Because it could be important. That person clearly needed that diary, and were desperate to get it back. They flooded Myrtle's bathroom," Hermione whispered. I rolled my eyes, but turned and looked at Ginny, who was sitting a few seats away eating her food in silence. Hermione followed my gaze. "She's been writing in that diary obsessively, and has been acting weird all year," I whispered. Hermione frowned.

"Perfect Quidditch conditions!" said Oliver Wood enthusiastically, interrupting my thoughts as he loaded the team's plates with scrambled eggs. "Harry, buck up there, you need a decent breakfast."

Involuntarily, I left the Great Hall with Hermione, Ron and Harry, or as I dubbed them, the Golden Trio. "The voice!" said Harry, suddenly said, looking over his shoulder. "I just heard it again - didn't you?" Ron shook his head, wide-eyed. Hermione, however, clapped a hand to her forehead. "Harry - I think I've just understood something! I've got to go to the library," she ran off up the stairs, and I followed her. "What is it Hermione?" I asked as I caught up with her. "Harry's been hearing voices since the start of the school year that no one else can hear. And he can speak a language no one else can speak. Don't you get it?" she exclaimed. "The monster is a snake. But how is it getting around? Somebody would've seen a snake slithering round the place - I mean, everyone is more anxious and paranoid than ever!" I said. We reached the library. "I don't know, but if we're going to find answers anywhere, it will be here," Hermione said.

We sat in the library going through books for about half an hour before she spoke. "I got it! Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents. This snake, which may reach gigantic size and live many hundreds of years, is born from a chicken's egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death. Spiders flee before the Basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy, and the Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it. When Harry found Justin and Nearly Headless Nick, he spotted a bunch of spiders leaving out the window. "But how come no one has died?" I asked. "Because no one looked it straight in the eye. Colin saw it through his camera. The basilisk burned up all the film inside it, but Colin just got Petrified. Justin... Justin must've seen the basilisk through Nearly Headless Nick! Nick got the full blast of it, but he couldn't die again," Hermione said. "And Mrs. Norris?" I asked. "The water..." she said slowly. "The flood from Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. I bet you Mrs. Norris only saw the reflection..." Hermione said. "But how has the basilisk been getting around the place? A giant snake ... someone would've seen it," I frowned. Hermione drummed her fingers on the table, then gasped, grabbing another book of the shelf. "The last time the chamber was opened, a girl was killed. I read about it, Myrtle Warren, died 50 years ago," she told me. "Moaning Myrtle. Does it say how she died?" I asked, looking through the book. "It says that she was crying in a bathroom stall, opened the door, and then she just ... died," Hermione said. "She looked into the eyes of the Basilisk. But why would the basilisk be in the bathroom ... unless that's where the entrance was!" I gasped. "The Basilisk must be getting around through the water pipes!" Hermione said. She ripped the page out of the book and wrote pipes on the paper. "We need to go find Harry and Ron," she said, scrunching up the paper.

We ran down the hallway, running into a Ravenclaw Prefect about to turn round the corner. "Wait!" Hermione yelled. "Look around corners with something reflective." "Why?" the Prefect asked, confused. "Because otherwise you'll die, stupid!" I told her. "If you make eye contact with the monster you'll die, but use the mirror and you'll just be petrified," Hermione explained. The Prefect pulled out her mirror and held it at the edge of the corner so we could see if there was anything there.

Chapter 12 - Bye Bye Hogwarts … Hello Summer

The next thing I know, I'm lying on a bed in the Hospital Wing, coughing out some disgusting potion. "Eugh," I groaned, sitting up. I look around. Filch is hugging his cat, Justin is stretching awkwardly, Colin is staring at his camera in sadness and the prefect is just looking around confused. I look over at Hermione who is receiving the cure from Madam Pomfrey. She shook herself awake and looked around. "Hermione!" I shouted in glee, getting out to hug her. She grinned. "I'm glad you two are feeling up to it. Now, there is a spare change of robes for you, please pull the curtain around your bed and change before you head to the feast. And for those of you who didn't know, the chamber of secrets has been closed and we are all safe," Madam Pomfrey said.

After changing, I walk with Hermione down to the Great Hall. Nearly Headless Nick floats over to us. "Hermione! Peyton! Welcome back," he said. "Thank you Sir Nicholas," Hermione said. "Hey Nick, I'm sure you could float over and visit Myrtle, now you have both been killed by the basilisk, you can get a little ghostly romance going," I giggled, and Hermione hid her smile. "I'm slightly less glad that you are back, Miss Peyton," Sir Nicholas said, and I laughed.

Harry and Ron spot us, and we run over, grinning. Harry hugs Hermione, and I hug Ron. We let go and she went to hug Ron, but they shook hands instead. I ignore Harry, going to hug my friends. "The Queen of All Things Evil is back everyone, hold your applause," Fred said, getting out so I could take his seat. "Oh shut it," I said, hugging them and taking the seat.

"Can I have your attention, please?" McGonagall tapped her spoon on her glass, and everyone quietened down. Professor Dumbledore stood up. "Before we begin the feast, let us have a round of applause for Professor Sprout and Madame Pomfrey, whose Mandrake juice has been so successfully administered to all who had been Petrified," everyone applauded loudly, except for a handful of Slytherins, obviously including Malfoy. "Also, in light of the recent events, as a school treat, all exams have been cancelled," everyone cheered at that, except for Hermione, obviously. The doors opened and Hagrid walked in. "Sorry I'm late! The owl that delivered my release papers got all lost and confused. Some ruddy bird called Errol," Hagrid said as he walked down towards Harry. I turned and giggled with Ginny, who had returned to normal. "And I'd just like to say that if it hadn't been for you, Harry, and Ron, and Hermione, o' course, I would uh- I'd still be you-know-where, so I- I'd just like to say Thanks," he said to the Golden Trio. "Well, there's no Hogwarts without you, Hagrid," Harry got out of his seat, hugging Hagrid. Dumbledore stood up and started to clap, followed by McGonagall, the teachers, the Golden Trio and everyone else.

On the train ride back, I sat with my friends for part, but then went to join Ginny, Fred and George who were sitting with the Golden Trio. "So what happened while we were petrified? Also, Ginny you seemed to have snapped out of your weird funk, what happened?" I asked. "Lucius Malfoy put Tom Riddle's diary in her cauldron and she got possessed. Also Ginny opened the chamber of secrets," George said. I gasped. "No freaking way. Also, who is Tom Riddle?" I asked. "Voldemort," Harry said. "Tell me everything!" I gushed.

And they did. I got all the details, about how Harry and Ron broke into Slytherin's common room, met a giant spider, broke probably every school rule. "Awesome!" I grinned.

When we were almost to Kings Cross, Harry frowned and turned to Ginny. "Ginny – what did you see Percy doing, that he didn't want you to tell anyone?" he asked. "Oh, that," said Ginny, giggling. "Well — Percy's got a girlfriend." Fred dropped a stack of books on George's head. "What?" he exclaimed. "It's that Ravenclaw prefect, Penelope Clearwater," said Ginny. "That's who he was writing to all last summer. He's been meeting her all over the school in secret. I walked in on them kissing in an empty classroom one day. He was so upset when she was — you know — attacked. You won't tease him, will you?" she added anxiously. "Wouldn't dream of it," said Fred, who was looking like his birthday had come early. "Definitely not," said George, sniggering.

The Hogwarts Express slowed and finally stopped. "I'll meet you guys at the new car," I told the twins and Ginny. Harry pulled out his quill and a bit of parchment and turned to Ron and Hermione. "This is called a telephone number," he told Ron, scribbling it twice, tearing the parchment in two, and handing it to them. "I told your dad how to use a telephone last summer — he'll know. Call me at the Dursleys', okay? I can't stand another two months with only Dudley to talk to..." he sighed. "Your aunt and uncle will be proud, though, won't they?" said Hermione as they got off the train and joined the crowd thronging toward the enchanted barrier. "When they hear what you did this year?" "Proud?" said Harry. "Are you crazy? All those times I could've died, and I didn't manage it? They'll be furious..."

We walked through the barrier into the muggle world, where a man was waiting. "Hurry up boy. I've not got all day!" he grumbled. "Wow, he is just like you told me," I said. Harry cleared his throat. "Uncle Vernon, this is Pey-" "I don't care about your girlfriend!" Vernon yelled. "I'm not his girlfriend, I'd prefer to kiss a dead toad than him. I'm his sister," I said. Vernon froze. "Harry doesn't have a sister," he argued. "I wish. I was negative 3 months old when Lily and James died, and they found a way for me to live. I'm Peyton Mary Marlene Potter," I introduced. "Now that introductions are done with, I am going. Good luck with the Dursleys, dumbass," I said to Harry, walking off. "See you next year, Peyton!" he yelled, and I pulled the finger at him.

PART 2

HAZZA P & THE AWHOOAHEEAHHHOEHOEHOE

Quote - "You think the dead we loved truly ever leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly in times of great trouble?"

Updated Cast

BENJAMIN WADSWORTH AS MATTHEO RIDDLE

RACHEL ZEGLER AS NEVAEH WHITE

LOUIS PARTRIDGE AS REMUS ADAMS

JODIE SWEETEN AS DOVE MATTHEWS

MILLIE BOBBY BROWN AS CANDACE ROGERS

CANDACE CAMERON AS NINA COURTSLEY

Chapter 1 - Summer 1993 – Part ½

"Do I really have to go?" I groaned. My mother turned from where she was cooking chicken. "Yes Peyton, you do. Harry is your brother, and like it or not, the Dursleys are your family," she said. "I don't like it. Think of the furthest thing from the thing you like the most, then stop thinking because you will never be able to imagine how much I dislike it. I'm not going and that is final!" I stomped my foot.

Two days later mum dropped me off at the Dursleys with my bag. "I hate you!" I yelled at her. "See you in a week. Say Happy birthday to your brother for me, will you?" Molly called back. I rolled my eyes and walked up to the doorstep, where Harry was staring at me. "Welcome to hell, Peyton," he said. I stomped past him and into the dining room, where a lumpy boy was sitting eating breakfast, next to a woman and Vernon Dursley, who I recognized from the station. "Let me guess, this is Dursley Jr," I say, sitting next to him. The boy glances over at me, then double takes. "Who are you?" he demanded. "Dudley, I told you my sister Peyton was staying here for a week," Harry told him. "Involuntarily," I added. Dudley eyed me. "Don't look at me like that you pig-faced troglodyte," I told him. There was an uncomfortable noise from the woman and I turned to get my first look at Petunia Dursley.

She was tall and lean, and not much to look at, really. Lily clearly got the good genes, which I am glad about. While Lily had beautiful flowy red locks, Petunia had dark brown stumps. Where Lily had gleaming green eyes, Petunia had large pale blue ones.

To sum it up, Lily was a supermodel and Petunia would be lucky to be a troll under the bridge.

"Hi Petunia and Vernon. Oh and I was told to say Happy birthday to you Harry from Mum, so Happy birthday. That isn't from me, I don't give a shit," I smiled at Harry, who sat awkwardly down between Dudley and Vernon. I picked up a piece of toast and turned to look at the television, a muggle contraption that basically is just a bunch of videos on a bigger screen, all connected to a live network, or that's what Nina described it as. There was an announcement about an escaped convict playing. "Who broke out?" I asked. "Sirius Black," Vernon told me and I choked on my toast. "Did you say Sirius Black?" I asked. I turned to look at the TV again. " ... the public is warned that Black is armed and extremely dangerous. A special hotline has been set up, and any sighting of Black should be reported immediately," the news reporter told them. "How do you know Sirius Black?" Harry asked me. "I don't answer to you, you stuck up prick," I told him. Dudley snickered. "The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will announce today - "

"Hang on!" Vernon barked at the TV, staring furiously at the newsreader. "You didn't tell us where the maniac's escaped from! What use is that? Lunatic could be coming up the street right now!" Vernon exclaimed. Petunia peered out the window intently. "When will they learn," Vernon pounded on the table. "That hanging's the only way to deal with these people?" I scoffed quietly, but no one was paying attention. "Very true," Petunia agreed.

Vernon drained his cup and checked his watch. "I'd better be off in a minute, Petunia, Marge's train gets in at ten," he added. Harry's head snapped towards him. "Aunt Marge?" he blurted out. "Sh-she's not coming here, is she?" he asked. I started paying attention again. The boy who killed a massive snake and a teacher with his bare hands is scared of a muggle? Sounds fun. "Marge will be here for a week," Vernon snarled. "And while we're on the subject," he pointed at the two of us. "We need to get a few things straight before I go and collect her." Dudley smirked and withdrew his gaze from the TV. "Quick question -- does this Marge woman dislike Harry? If so, we will get along perfectly, because I can't stand the smug stick," I piped in. "I'm right here," Harry said, and I shoved my toast in his face. "Are we bullying 'the Chosen One?' I'm all for it," I said.

Vernon ignored me, turning to Harry. "Firstly, you'll keep a civil tongue in your head when you're talking to Marge," he told Harry. "All right, if she does when she's talking to me," Harry replied bitterly. "Secondly, as Marge doesn't know anything about your abnormality, I don't want any - any funny stuff while she's here. You behave yourselves, got me?" Vernon instructed. "I will if she does," Harry said through gritted teeth. I grinned. "I have been able to control my magic and emotional link since I was 7, I think I can handle anything she can throw at me. She hits me with a car, I won't do anything," I promised. "And thirdly, we've told Marge you attend St Brutus' Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys," Vernon finished. "What?!" Harry yelled. I snickered, and Dudley laughed. "You'll be sticking to that story, boy, or there'll be trouble," Vernon spat. Harry looked furious, but I looked excited. This week was going to be fun.

When Marge arrived, I had the perfect seat. The Dursleys had a chair facing the doorway, and I'd made a bowl of popcorn, so I could watch the carnage in a cosy chair.

Petunia was panicking, Dudley was dressed with a bow tie and gelled hair, and Harry ... just looked like Harry, which angered Petunia. "Do something about your hair!" Petunia snapped. I giggled. It seemed like forever when the car finally pulled up. "Get the door!" Petunia hissed at Harry, who obeyed.

Marge was large, beefy and purple faced, she even had a mild moustache. In one hand she held an enormous suitcase, and tucked under the other was a bulldog. "Where's my Dudders?" Marge roared. "Where's my neffy poo?" Dudley waddled down the hallway. Marge threw her suitcase at Harry and hugged Dudley tightly. "Petunia!" Marge shouted, striding over to Petunia and kissed her cheek. Vernon walked in, smiling. "Tea, Marge? And what will Ripper take?" he asked. "Ripper can have some tea out of my saucer," Marge said as they all went into the kitchen, minus Harry, who went upstairs with Marge's suitcase.

"Cute dog," I said, leaving the popcorn on the island bench and walking over to Ripper. Marge eyed me. "Who is this?" she asked. "I'm the selfish scar face boy's sister, Peyton Mary Marlene Potter," I said. "The boy has a sister?" she recoiled. "Sadly, yes. I was pissed when I found out. Like, he is such an annoying attention seeking prat," I rolled my eyes. "How come I've never heard of you?" Marge demanded. "None of them have. I found out last year. So basically when Lily Potter died, I was still in the womb. They put me in this little incubation pod thingy so the rest of my body would grow for three months," I explained. "Technology is so advanced," Marge said. "Yeah. My adoptive mother is forcing me to spend time with Scar Face, so I'm staying here for the week," I told her.

Petunia placed Marge's tea and a few fruitcakes. She drank half of the tea and let Ripper lap up the rest. I spotted Harry coming down the stairs and groaned on the inside. "Who's looking after the other dogs, Marge?" Vernon asked. "You have more?" I exclaimed. "Twelve dogs all together, although Ripper's my favourite. I've got Colonel Fubster managing the other dogs. He's retired now, good for him to have something to do. But I couldn't leave poor old Ripper. He pines if he's away from me," Marge said.

Ripper began to growl as Harry sat down. That directed Marge's attention to him. "So!" she barked. "Still here are you?" "Yes," said Harry. I popped some popcorn in my mouth and watched the carnage with a grin. "Don't you say 'yes' in that ungrateful tone," Marge growled. "It's damn good of Vernon and Petunia to keep you. Wouldn't have done it myself. You'd have gone straight to an orphanage if you'd been dumped on my doorstep." Harry looked annoyed, then seemed to force himself into a painful smile. "Don't you smirk at me!" Marge boomed. "I can see you haven't improved since I last saw you. I hoped school would knock some manners into you. Where is it that you sent him again, Vernon?" She took a large gulp of tea and wiped her mouth. "St Brutus's," Vernon answered promptly. "It's a first rate institution for hopeless cases."

"I see," said Marge. "Do they use the cane at St Brutus's, boy?" she barked across the table. I glanced at Vernon, who nodded at Harry behind her back. "Yes. All the time," he answered, and I took a sip of pumpkin juice that I'd managed to smuggle with me, to hide my smile. "Excellent. I won't have this namby-pamby, wishy washy nonsense about not hitting people who deserve it. A good thrashing is what's needed in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred. Have you been beaten often?" Marge questioned Harry, and I raised my eyebrow at him. "Oh, yeah. Loads of times," Harry said, and I bite the inside of my cheek to stop my laughter. Luckily, Marge was still looking at Harry, narrowing her eyes. "I still don't like your tone, boy," she said. "If you can speak of your beatings in that casual way, they clearly aren't hitting you hard enough. Petunia, I'd write if I were you. Make it clear that you approve the use of extreme force in this boy's case."

I glanced at Harry. I didn't realise muggles treated all their relatives this way. Luckily, Vernon changed the subject, but it wasn't to a much better one.

"Heard the news this morning, Marge? What about that escaped prisoner, eh?"

* * *

As the week went on, I got more comfortable. The Dursleys sent Harry back to his old room, which meant the cupboard under the stairs, and gave me his room. I felt a tinge of guilt, but then I remembered what a prick he was and it vanished.

Marge bullied Harry all week, which was fun to watch, and even funnier when Harry just accepted it and didn't snap back, which meant Vernon bribed him. She treated Dudley like a god, buying him expensive gifts. She even bought me on a shopping trip, and got me a bunch of hair products, jewellery and stationery for the new school year. I didn't know half the stuff she talked about, but just nodded along like it was normal. I should probably take muggle studies so I can learn about the telefone, whatever that was, and all the other weird appliances.

Luckily, the end of the week soon arrived, when Marge and I would both go home. Petunia cooked a fancy dinner and Vernon got the wine out. They got all the way through the soup and salmon without a single insult towards Harry, which was sad.

"Can I tempt you, Marge?" Vernon asked as he got out the brandy. Marge had already had rather a lot of wine, and her face was very red. "Just a small one, then," she chuckled. "A bit more than that ... and a bit more ... That's the boy."

Dudley was eating his fourth slice of lemon meringue pie, Petunia was sipping tea, Vernon was drinking brandy, and Harry was hovering.

"Aah," Marge smacked her lips and put the empty brandy glass back down. "Excellent nosh, Petunia. It's normally just a fry-up for me of an evening, with twelve dogs to look after ... " she burped and I recoiled. "Pardon me. But I do like to see a healthy-sized boy," she went on, winking at Dudley. "You'll be a proper-sized man, Dudders, like your father. Yes, I'll have a spot more brandy, Vernon ...

"Now, this one here -" Marge jerked her head at Harry, who was staring at his plate. I picked up my glass and walked to the sink to get some water.

"It all comes down to blood, as I was saying the other day. Bad blood will out. Now, I'm saying nothing against your family, Petunia, but your sister was a bad egg. They turn up in the best families. Then she ran off with a wastrel and here's the result right in front of us," Marge said. I squeezed my glass, shutting my eyes and trying to block out her voice. I'd stopped liking the woman in an instance. Insulting my brother is fine, but my mother is crossing the line. "This Potter," Marge's voice drilled into my brain. "you never told me what he did?" There was silence and I dug my nails into my arm. "He - didn't work. Unemployed," Vernon said. "As I expected! A no-account, good-for-nothing, lazy scrounger who -"

"He was not," Harry interrupted, which was good, because I was three seconds away from piercing an artery. "MORE BRANDY!" Vernon yelled. "You, boy. Go to bed, go on -" "No, Vernon," Marge interrupted. "Go on boy, go on. Proud of your parents, are you? They go and get themselves killed in a car crash, (drunk, I expect) - "

"They didn't die in a car crash!" Harry yelled, and I dropped the glass, shattering it on the floor. "They died in a car crash, you nasty little liar, and left you to be a burden on their decent hardworking relatives! You are an insolent, ungrateful little -" Marge stopped speaking, and I let my arm go, cursing at the blood piercing through the skin. I turn around and freeze. Marge was swelling so much, and it wasn't stopping. She was inflating like a balloon. "MARGE!" Vernon and Petunia yelled. Harry ran out the door and I ran upstairs, packing my stuff back in my bag with a flick of my wrist. The ministry would already know about the magic, what's the harm in adding a little extra fire to the flame. I drag my bag downstairs, and meet Harry in the hallway. "COME BACK IN HERE! COME BACK AND PUT HER RIGHT!!" Vernon yelled at us. Harry whipped out his wand and pointed it at the man. "She deserved it. She deserved what she got. You keep away from me," he opened the door and left. I turned to look at Petunia. "She insulted my parents. I may not have known them, but nobody insults my parents. Nobody," I said, following Harry out.

We made it several streets before Harry leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. I sat next to him and fiddled with the hair ties on my wrist. I flicked them against my skin, ignoring the pain.

We sat for ten minutes in the dark before Harry stood up. I got to my feet. "Now what?" I asked. "I don't know," Harry replied. "Well thank god for that. We're stuck in the middle of the night, you just got yourself expelled, maybe even arrested and you have no plan. Perfect, just perfect," I sigh. Harry opened his trunk and pushed the contents aside, looking for something. He glanced up, looking around. "What?" I ask. Harry squints. "Lumos," he whispered, and his wand lit up. He peered towards an alley, looking at something. He stepped backwards and tripped over his trunk. His wand flew out of his hand and I laughed. "Try not to trip," I chuckled, and he glared at me.

There was a bang and a purple bus sped in front of us, stopping. I grinned. "I never thought I would get to ride the Knight Bus," I whispered. A conductor in a purple uniform leapt out of the bus and began to speak loudly. "Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand, step on board and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is Stan Shunpike and I will be your conductor this eve-" the man stopped as he spotted Harry on the ground. Harry picked his wand up and stood up. "What were you doin' down there?" Stan asked. "Fell over," Harry answered. "Choo fell over far?" Stan sniggered. "I didn't do it on purpose," Harry said, annoyed. "Yeah, he's a real annoying arrogant klutz," I said, grinning at my brother, who rolled his eyes. He glanced off to stare at the alleyway.

"Choo looking at?" Stan asked. "There was a big black thing," Harry pointed at the gap. "Like a dog ... but massive ... " he looked at Stan, who's eyes moved to his forehead. "Woss that on your 'ead?" Stan asked. "A bruise. I punched him because he's an annoying wanker," I said quickly, kicking the boy, who quickly flattened his hair over his scar. "Woss your names?" Stan asked. "Neville Longbottom," Harry said. "And I'm Peyton," I added. "So this bus, did you say it goes anywhere?" Harry asked. "Yep. Anywhere you like, long's it's on land. Can't do nuffink underwater. 'ere," Stan started looking suspicious. "You did flag us down, dincha? Stuck out your wand 'and dincha?" "Yeah, my stupid friend is a muggleborn, so he isn't used to this kinda stuff," I kicked Harry again, and he glared at me. "How much would it be to get to London?" "Eleven sickles each, but for firteen you get an 'ot chocolate, and for fifteen you get an 'ot water bottle an' a toofbrush in the colour of your choice." Harry rummaged through his trunk and shoved some silver into Stan's hand. We then lifted the trunks and Harry's owl's cage onto the bus.

There were half a dozen brass bedsteads standing beside the windows. "You 'ave these ones," Stan shoved Harry's trunk under one bed right behind the driver and mine under another. "This is our driver, Ernie Prang. This is Neville Longbottom and Peyton, Ern." Ernie nodded to us, and Harry nervously flattened his fringe again. I lay on my bed. "Hold on tight, Nev," I told Harry, who sat on his bed. "Why do I need to-"

"Take 'er away, Ern." Stan said, and there was a bang. Harry fell flat on his bed, thrown backwards by the bus's speed. I laugh at Harry's face. "This is where we were before you flagged us down. Where are we, Ern? Somewhere in Wales?" Stan asked the driver. "How come the muggles don't hear the bus?" Harry asked and I scoff. "Them!" said Stan contemptuously. "Don' listen properly, do they? Don' look properly either. Never notice nuffink, they don'." "Best go wake up Madam Marsh, Stan," Ern said. "We'll be in Abergavenny in a minute."

Stan passed their beds and disappeared up a narrow wooden staircase, before returning shortly with a faintly green witch in a travelling cloak. "'Ere you go, Madam Marsh," Stan said as Ern stamped on the brakes. Madam Marsh clamped a handkerchief to her mouth and tottered down the steps. Stan threw her bag after her and rammed the doors shut; there was another loud BANG and they were thundering down a narrow country lane.

I twirled my wand in my fingers, staring out the window. I hadn't needed a wand, being able to do wandless magic from the age of eight, but it was nice having something in case I needed it.

"That man! He was on the muggle news!" I heard Harry exclaim, and turned to see Stan reading a copy of the Daily Prophet with Sirius Black's face on it. I cursed slightly, but neither of them heard me. "Sirius Black," Stan nodded. "Course 'e was on the Muggle news, Neville. Where you been?" Stan chuckled at the blank look on Harry's face and handed him the first page of the paper. I peek over his shoulder to read.

BLACK STILL AT LARGE

Sirius Black, possibly the most infamous prisoner ever to be held in Azkaban fortress, is still eluding capture, the Ministry of Magic confirmed today.

'We are doing all we can to recapture Black,' said the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, this morning, 'and we beg the magical community to remain calm.'

Fudge has been criticised by some members of the International Federation of Warlocks for informing the Muggle Prime Minister of the crisis.

'Well, really, I had to, don't you know,' said an irritable Fudge. 'Black is mad. He's a danger to anyone who crosses him, magic or Muggle. I have the Prime Minister's assurance that he will not breathe a word of Black's true identity to anyone. And let's face it -- who'd believe him if he did?'

While Muggles have been told that Black is carrying a gun (a kind of metal wand which Muggles use to kill each other), the magical community lives in fear of a massacre like that of twelve years ago, when Black murdered thirteen people with a single curse.

I stared at the photo of Black. He had shadowed eyes, the only part of the sunken face that seemed alive. He looked like a vampire, with his waxy white skin. "Scary-lookin' fing, inee?" said Stan. "He murdered thirteen people?" questioned Harry, handing the page back. "with one curse?" "Yep," said Stan. "In front of witnesses an' all. Broad daylight. Big trouble it caused, dinnit, Ern?" I turned to look at the old driver, who agreed darkly. "Black woz a big supporter of You-Know-'Oo," Stan said. "What, Voldemort?" Harry said without thinking, and I ran my hand down my face. Even Stan's pimples went white; Ern jerked the steering wheel so hard that a whole farmhouse had to jump aside to avoid the bus. "Oh just shut up Nev you old twat. Stop being such an idiot, no wonder you're not in Ravenclaw, bloody hell, are you that goddamn stupid?" I glared at him. "So -- so Black was a supporter of You-Know-Who?" Harry prompted, ignoring the snort I made.

"Yeah, yeah, that's right. Very close to You-Know-'Oo, they say ... anyway, when little 'Arry Potter put paid to You-Know-'Oo" -- I glare at Harry and he nervously flattened his fringe down again -- "all You-Know-'Oo's supporters were tracked down, wasn't they Ern? Most of 'em knew it was all over, wiv You-Know-'Oo gone, and they came quiet. But not Sirius Black. I 'eard he thought 'e'd be second-in-command once You-Know-'Oo 'ad taken over.

"Anyway, they cornered Black in the middle of a street full of Muggles, an' Black took out 'is wand and 'e blasted 'alf the street apart, an' a wizard got it, an' so did a dozen Muggles what got in the way. 'Orrible, eh?" An' you know what Black did then?" Stan continued in a dramatic whisper. "What?" said Harry. "Laughed," Stan said. "Jus' stood there an' laughed. An' when reinforcements from the Ministry of Magic got there, 'e went wiv 'em quiet as anyfink, still laughing 'is 'ead off. 'Cos 'e's mad, inee, Ern? Inee mad?"

"If he weren't when he went to Azkaban, he will be now," said Ern in his slow voice. "I'd blow meself up before I set foot in that place. Serves him right, mind ... after what he did ..." I scoffed, grabbing a book out of my trunk and flicking through to my page. "They 'ad a job coverin' it up, din' they, Ern?" Stan said. "'Ole street blown up an' all them Muggles dead. What was it they said 'ad 'append, Ern?" "Gas explosion," Ern grunted. "An' now 'e's out. Never been a breakout from Azkaban before, 'as there, Ern? Beats me 'ow 'e did it. Frightenin', eh? I don't fancy 'is chances against them Azkaban guards, eh, Ern?"

"You lot are so gullible," I say from my bed. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Harry and Stan look at me. "What are you talking about?" Harry asked. "Sirius Black loved muggles. The only thing he murdered was people's eardrums, because he would constantly play Muggle music in his dorm room and common room, which may I say were Gryffindor. He let himself be tortured by his family because he refused to get the dark mark," I said without looking up. "Where 'Oo get all that from?" Stan asked. "Lily Potter's extensive diaries," I flicked a page in my book. There was silence. Then ... "What diaries?" Harry asked. "Molly gave me all of mum and dad's old stuff when I came home for the summer," I said. "This actually was one of mum's muggle books, that may I add, she loaned to Black to read because he doesn't despise muggles."

"Merlin's beard, you're Peyton Potter," Ern whispered, and I nodded. "And that ain't Neville Longbottom, it's Harry I've-got-a-hero-complex Potter. He's just assuming that the ministry is going to hunt us down because he lost his temper and blew up our aunt, but she totally deserved it. We got along just fine until she insulted our parents," I said. "She bullied me for a whole week," Harry frowned. "And you deserved it. But calling mum a defective bitch and dad a lazy insolent scrounger is where I draw the line," I said. "She said they were what!?" Ern shouted, and I nodded. "She's a muggle," Harry explained. "The whole family is like that. Luckily I got away, but Harry was stuck with them. Shame Hero-Complex," I snickered. "Now can I finish reading my book? C.S. Lewis didn't write this series so people could hold the books open and talk about other boring shit."

The rest of the ride was quiet, mostly because I ignored everything everyone was saying and listened to muggle music on my Walkman that Marge had brought me. Dudley had shown me how to use it, you plug headphones in and listen to songs, so I was currently listening to Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush, American Pie by Don McLean and a bunch of other songs I didn't know the name of, but those were my favourite.

By the time my mix-tape loop finished, we were the last ones left. Harry asked them to take us to Diagon Alley, without asking me which is a bit problematic, but he is Hero-Complex Potter, so I'm not shocked. We jumped off the bus and grabbed our trunks. "There you two are," I heard, and turned to see Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic. "Oh look, it's the balding president of the world, who is so gullible he thinks that Black is a murderer," I wave cutely, before walking inside. Unfortunately, Fudge led Harry in behind me. "Look, are you going to lecture the twat about blowing up Marge? The bitch deserved it," I turned around, folding my arms. "Would you two mind joining me upstairs?" Fudge asked, ignoring what I'd said. "I would mind, actually, but you are going to make me take anyway, so why not," I sighed, waving my hand and a red glow surrounded my trunk, lifting it in the air. "What are you doing?" Harry asked, annoyed. "I'm not about to lug it with us, I'm lazy, get over it," I said. "You aren't allowed to use underage magic!" Harry growled. "Rules are made to be broken," I shrugged. "Rules are made to be followed, nothing is made to be broken," Fudge said.

"Uhh, piñatas?" I said.

"Glow Sticks."

"Karate boards."

"Eggs."

"Rules," I finished. Fudge looked so done with me and Harry. "I'm getting to old for this," he mumbled, walking off and gesturing for us to follow him. "Sit down," Fudge showed gestured to the seats, and I transfigured mine into a cozy armchair. Fudge didn't even bother to tell me off. "Well, Harry, Peyton," said Fudge, pouring out tea. "You've had us all in a right flap, I don't mind telling you. Running away from your aunt and uncle's house like that! I'd started to think ... but you're safe, and that's what matters," Fudge buttered himself a crumpet and pushed the plate towards them. "Eat, go on, you look dead on your feet. Now then ... You will be pleased to hear that we have dealt with the unfortunate blowing-up of Miss Marjorie Dursley. Two members of the Accidental Magic Reversal Department were dispatched to Privet Drive a few hours ago. Miss Dursley has been punctured and her memory has been modified. She has no recollection of the incident at all. So that's that, and no harm done," Fudge smiled at Harry over the rim of his teacup, rather like an uncle surveying a favourite nephew. Harry opened his mouth to speak and closed it again. "Ah, you're worrying about the reaction of your families?" asked Fudge. 'Well, I won't deny that they are extremely angry, Harry, your aunt and uncle, but they are prepared to take you back next summer as long as you stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas and Easter holidays. As for you, Peyton, well your mother seemed upset, but they will be glad you are okay." I rolled my eyes. Harry unstuck his throat. "I always stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas and Easter holidays," he said. "And I don't ever want to go back to Privet Drive." I rolled my eyes. He was so overdramatic. "Now, now, I'm sure you'll feel differently once you've calmed down,' said Fudge in a worried tone. "They are your family, after all, and I'm sure you are fond of each other – er – very deep down. So all that remains,' said Fudge, now buttering himself a second crumpet, 'is to decide where you're going to spend the last two weeks of your holidays. I suggest you take a room here at the Leaky Cauldron and –"

'Hang on," blurted Harry. "What about my punishment?" Fudge blinked. "Punishment?" "I broke the law!" Harry said. "The Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry!" I scoffed. "Hero-complex, when you get off without punishment, you don't ask for some. Amateur. I should enrol you in the Fred and George School for Causing Mischief," I said. "Oh, my dear boy, we're not going to punish you for a little thing like that!" cried Fudge, waving his crumpet impatiently. "It was an accident! We don't send people to Azkaban just for blowing up their aunts!" Harry looked even more annoyed at this. "Last year, I got an official warning just because a house-elf smashed a pudding in my uncle's house!" said Harry,

frowning. "The Ministry of Magic said I'd be expelled from Hogwarts if there was any more magic there!"

Fudge was suddenly looking awkward. "Circumstances change, Harry ... we have to take into account ... in the present climate ... surely you don't want to be expelled?" I rolled my eyes. "Of course I don't," said Harry. "Well then, what's all the fuss about?" laughed Fudge airily. "Now, have a crumpet, Harry, while I go and see if Tom's got a room for you." Fudge strode out of the parlor, but I stopped him. "Can I have a separate room, in a different hotel, in a different country, on a different planet?" I asked, and Fudge sighed. "Dream a little smaller," he said, walking off. When Fudge came back, accompanied by Tom the innkeeper. "Rooms eleven and seventeen are free," said Fudge. "I think you'll be very comfortable. Just one thing, and I'm sure you'll understand: I don't want you wandering off into Muggle London, all right? Keep to Diagon Alley. And you're to be back here before dark each night. Sure you'll understand. Tom will be keeping an eye on you for me." "OK," said Harry slowly, "but why –?" "Don't want to lose you again, do we?" said Fudge with a hearty laugh. "No, no ... best we know where you are ... I mean ..." Fudge cleared his throat loudly and picked up his pinstriped cloak. "Well, I'll be off, plenty to do, you know." "Have you had any luck with Black yet?" Harry asked. Fudge's fingers slipped on the silver fastenings of his cloak. "What's that? Oh, you've heard – well, no, not yet, but it's only a matter of time. The Azkaban guards have never yet failed ... and they are angrier than I've ever seen them," Fudge shuddered slightly. "So, I'll say goodbye." He held out his hand and Harry shook it. "Er – Minister? Can I ask you something?" Harry asked. "Certainly," smiled Fudge. "Well, third years at Hogwarts are allowed to visit Hogsmeade, but my aunt and uncle didn't sign the permission form. D'you think you could?" Fudge was looking uncomfortable. "Ah," he said. "No. No, I'm very sorry, Harry, but as I'm not your parent or guardian –"

'But you're the Minister for Magic,' said Harry eagerly. 'If you gave me permission –'

'No, I'm sorry, Harry, but rules are rules,' said Fudge flatly. 'Perhaps you'll be able to visit Hogsmeade next year. In fact, I think it best if you don't ... yes ... Well, I'll be off. Enjoy your stay, Harry, Peyton.'

And with that he was gone.

Chapter 2 - Summer 1993 – Part 2/2

My room was nice. The bed was cosy, and the bathroom was clean. I fell back onto my bed and fell asleep straight away.

By the time I got up the next morning, Harry was already downstairs. "Hi," I said awkwardly. "This is weird, isn't it?" Harry sighed. I nodded. "Yeah. I should've brought my money, I'm broke," I groaned. "Don't worry, you can take some stuff out of the vault," Harry said. "You have a vault!?" I exclaim. "Yeah, although technically we have a vault, it was left to the two of us," he corrected.

Okay, I officially love my family.

They left me and Harry a fortune! I got my own separate vault from Harry's which the goblins had to use my blood to verify my identity before I got the key. I have never had this much money in my life. It is crazy! I had to exercise a lot of self-control not to spend the whole lot of money at once. I had to keep reminding myself that I had six years to go at Hogwarts, as well as years after that.

I ate breakfast with Harry each morning in the Leaky Cauldron, then after breakfast I would go out into the back, take out my wand, tapped the third brick from the left above the trash bit, and stand back as the archway into Diagon Alley opened in the wall.

I spent the long sunny days exploring the shops and eating under the brightly coloured umbrellas outside cafes, where my fellow diners were showing one another their purchases ("it's a lunarscape, old boy - no more messing around with moon charts, see?") or else discussing the case of Sirius Black ("personally, I won't let any of the children out alone until he's back in Azkaban"), which I found incredibly stupid. I spent the nights reading my new books, or studying my mother's diaries, which I found incredibly fascinating. I did all my homework in the bright sunshine outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, finishing all his essays with occasional help from Florean Fortescue himself, who, apart from knowing a great deal about mediaeval witch burnings, gave me free sundaes every half an hour.

I had to stop myself from buying things I didn't need, like a handsome set of solid gold Gob stones, and I was sorely tempted, too, by the perfect, moving model of the galaxy in a large glass ball, which would have meant he never had to take another Astronomy lesson, but considering I could get straight full marks in my sleep it wouldn't make a difference. My favourite purchase, however, was a cute Eagle Owl, which was the very first purchase I made. I decided to name my Owl Minerva, after the Roman god of Owls, and Professor McGonagall. I then decided to buy a cute ginger kitten named Malia, for when I'm lonely and my owl is off doing who knows what.

There were, however, things that I needed to buy. I went to the Apothecary to replenish my store of potions ingredients, and as my school robes. I'd sprouted over the past few months, and they were now several inches too short in the arm and leg. I visited Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions and bought new ones. Most important of all, I had to buy my new school books. I got a surprise as I looked in the bookshop window, where instead of the usual display of gold- embossed spell books the size of paving slabs, there was a large iron cage behind the glass that held about a hundred copies of rapid books. Torn pages were flying everywhere as the books grappled with each other, locked together in furious wrestling matches and snapping aggressively. I pulled my booklist out of my pocket and consulted it for the first time.

As I entered Flourish and Blotts, the manager came hurrying towards me. "Hogwarts?" he said abruptly. "Come to get your new books?" "Yes," I replied. "I need --""Get out of the way," said the manager impatiently, brushing me aside. He drew on a pair of very thick gloves, picked up a large, knobby walking stick, and proceeded toward the door of the Monster Book's cage. "Hang on," said I quickly. "I'm a second year. I know I'm tall now, but sheesh." A look of enormous relief spread over the manager's face. "Thank heavens for that. I've been bitten five times already this morning --"A loud ripping noise rent the air; two of the Monster Books had seized a third and were pulling it apart. "Stop it! Stop it!" cried the manager, poking the walking stick through the bars and knocking the books apart. "I'm never stocking them again, never! It's been bedlam! I thought we'd seen the worst when we bought two hundred copies of the Invisible Book of Invisibility -cost a fortune, and we never found them.... Well... is there anything else I can help you with?" "Yes," I looked down at my booklist, "I need The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Two, Magical Drafts and Potions, A History of Magic, Magical Theory, One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, A Beginner's guide to Transfiguration, Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them, and the dark forces; a guide to self protection."

I emerged from Flourish and Blotts ten minutes later with my new books in my bag, and made my way back to the Leaky Cauldron. I tramped up the stairs to my room, went inside, and tipped my books onto my bed. Somebody had been in to tidy; the windows were open and the sun was pouring inside. I could hear the buses rolling by in the unseen Muggle street behind me and the sound of the invisible crowd below in Diagon Alley. Errol was lying on the bed looking dead with a letter attached to his leg, while Malia was snoozing on the bed. I untie the letter and place Errol in Minerva's cage, letting the tired bird drink and regenerate.

Dear Peyton

I am so envious! Mum says you are staying in the Leaky Cauldron with Harry, and is a bit annoyed you haven't reached out, but I wouldn't either. We are coming to visit Diagon Alley on the last day of the holidays, and from what I've heard so are Kella, Aubrey and Matilda, but I haven't heard from the others. I hope you are enjoying yourself and haven't blown all your money. See you on the 31st!

Ginny

I smiled at her words. I probably should've reached out to my friends, I'll do that later. I place her letter on my desk and start sorting out my suitcase. If magic wasn't possible, I wouldn't be able to fit everything, but luckily, it is. With a handy Extension charm, all my stuff and more fit in the small suitcase

As the days slipped by, I started looking wherever I went for a sign of any of my friends. Plenty of Hogwarts students were arriving in Diagon Alley now, with the start of term so near. I met the Adams Family, which consisted of their muggle parents Louella and Jackson, the twins Caridy and Rebekah, and their younger brothers, who looked identical to the other, Remus, who was starting this year, and Lawrence, who was a year younger than Remus, and the families of all the other girls, since their parents all seemed to be great friends, having gone to Hogwarts together. We luckily didn't have an awkward conversation about them knowing my parents, and I woke on the last day of the holidays, looking forward to seeing my family. I got up and dressed in a green shirt and jeans, running downstairs and went to go find my family.

"PEYYYYYYYY!"

I turned to hear a yell and saw Kella, Aubrey and Candace running over. "Hey!" I squeal, hugging them. "How are you?" Kella asked as she led me to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, where Aubrey, Matilda and Ginny were chatting. "TONI!" Matilda ran to me, and we embraced. She smelt like grass. "Laying the perfume on thick, aren't you Tillie," I coughed, and we laughed. "How are your holidays going?" Aubrey asked me, her eyes flickering to the side. I looked to see two posh looking wizards eyeing us. They were with two girls, both blonde and holding their heads high. Aubrey tilted her chin up and rolled her shoulders back.

Aubrey came from one of the wealthiest families of the wizarding world. Her mother was a descendant of Rowena Ravenclaw, and her father a distinct descendant of Godric Gryffindor. Her parents were very self-righteous, controlling and posh, being very strict about the way their daughters should act, and the people they should hang out with. Aubrey's sisters, Dove and Celeste, were both younger, and looked slightly similar to Aubrey, but Aubrey held herself different.

"They were very pleased when they found out I managed to be friends with the most famous girl in our time," Aubrey said, and I spotted her parents' eyes flick to me. "Of course they were. I didn't bother with my parents, they won't even know you," Matilda sighed. Kella's eyes widened. "They're coming over," she whispered. "Act proper," Aubrey whispered, and we all rolled out shoulders back and straightened our posture. I looked around and spotted Harry, Hermione and Ron getting up. "Change of plans," I hissed, and stood up, leading them over to the table. "SOS, we're coming with you lot," I whispered. Hermione glanced at Aubrey's family. "We're going to get some rat tonic for Scabbers, and I'm getting an owl," she said, and we paid and crossed the street to Magical Menagerie

There wasn't much room inside. Every inch of wall was hidden by cages. It was smelly and very noisy because of the occupants. Of these cages were all squeaking, squawking, jabbering, or hissing. The witch behind the counter was already advising a wizard on the care of double-ended newts, so we waited, examining the cages. A pair of enormous purple toads sat gulping wetly and feasting on dead blowflies. A gigantic tortoise with a jewel-encrusted shell was glittering near the window. Poisonous orange snails were oozing slowly up the side of their glass tank, and a fat white rabbit kept changing into a silk top hat and back again with a loud popping noise. Then there were cats of every colour, a noisy cage of ravens, a basket of funny custard-coloured fur balls that were humming loudly, and on the counter, a vast cage of sleek black rats that were playing some sort of skipping game using their long, bald tails.

The double-ended newt wizard left, and Ron approached the counter with Harry and Hermione behind him. "I wish I could have an owl," Ginny said wistfully. "You can borrow mine if you want," I offered. Ginny turned to me. "You have an owl?" she raised an eyebrow. "And a cat. Apparently Lily and James left me a vault, so I decided to get some pets. Malia is a ginger cat and Minerva is an eagle owl," I told them. "Minerva? Are you trying to kiss up to McGonagall?" Candace asked. "No, Minerva is the Roman god of Owls. And it's a cute name," I answered definitively.

"OUCH!" We turned to see Ron buckle as a huge and orange cat came soaring from the top of the highest cage, landed on his head, and then propelled itself, spitting madly, at Scabbers, Ron's rat. "NO, CROOKSHANKS, NO!" cried the witch, but Scabbers, shot from between her hands like a bar of soap, landed splay-legged on the floor, and then scampered for the door. "Scabbers!" Ron shouted, racing out of the shop after him; Harry followed.

We ran out the door to help them, but Aubrey stopped suddenly. We turned to see her parents and sisters standing by her. "What do you think you are doing, daughter?" her father asked. "We're helping my brother. A cat attacked his pet rat and they are trying to find it," Ginny said quickly. They're eyes flick to her. "Miss Weasley, I presume? And those two boys must be your brother Master Weasley, and his friend Master Potter," Charles guessed. I place my hand on my mouth to cover my smirk. Master Potter. That would go to his head.

"And Miss Rogers, and Miss Rogers, Diane and William Rogers daughters, I presume," Penelope said, and I looked at the twins, who seemed nervous. "You would presume correctly, Missus Matthews," Kella said properly, and Aubrey seemed to breathe. "Now you must be Miss Covey. Remind me, you're the one with the muggle family, correct?" Charles asked, and Matilda paled. "That is me, actually," I correct, stepping in front of her. "This is Miss Potter. She inherited the good genes from Lily and James, didn't she? I have seen photos." Matilda looks thankful. "Indeed, you do remind me of Ms. Potter, but your brother, however, looks more like his father," Penelope said.

I spot Harry and Ron coming up the street with Scabbers, and my eyes widen. "Before we get to the whole I-knew-your-dead-parents-that-you-never-met thing, we really have to get going. Here come the boys now, and we all have to meet our families," I said, and pulled Matilda back into the store, bumping into Hermione, whose arms were clamped tightly around the enormous ginger cat. "Sorry," she said, offering a hand. "It's okay," Matilda took it, and I scrambled to my feet.

"You bought that monster?" Ron gaped, his mouth hanging open from a few feet away. "That's our queue, it was lovely to meet you," I lied and we all walked over to the boys. "He's gorgeous, isn't he?" Hermione said, glowing. "He's beautiful. Maybe he and Malia will make beautiful ginger babies,' I stroked Crookshanks. "Who?" Hermione asked. "My cat. I bought a cat called Malia and an owl called Minerva," I told her. "Like the Roman God," Hermione noted, and I raised an eyebrow at Candace, who rolled her eyes. "Hermione, that thing nearly scalped me!" Ron said, ignoring the news of my new fur-babies. "He didn't mean to, did you, Crookshanks?" Hermione cooed. "And what about Scabbers?" Ron asked, pointing at the lump in his chest pocket. "He needs rest and relaxation! How's he going to get it with that thing around?" "That reminds me, you forgot your rat tonic," said Hermione, slapping the small red bottle into Ron's hand. "And stop worrying, Crookshanks will be sleeping in my dormitory and Scabbers in yours, what's the problem? Poor Crookshanks, that witch said he'd been in there for ages; no one wanted him."

"Wonder why," said Ron sarcastically as we set off toward the Leaky Cauldron. When we found Dad sitting in the bar, reading the Daily prophet, there was only Ginny and me left. "Dad!" I grinned, running to hug him. "Peyton, Harry!" he said, smiling. "How are you?" "Fine, thanks," Harry said as we joined Dad with our shopping. Dad put down his paper, and I saw the familiar picture of Sirius Black staring up at him. "They still haven't caught him, then?" he asked, and I scoffed. "No," Dad sighed, looking extremely grave. "They've pulled us all off our regular jobs at the Ministry to try and find him, but no luck so far." I nod. They weren't going to find him, and I wasn't about to tell them how to catch an innocent man. "Would we get a reward if we caught him?" Ron asked. "It'd be good to get some more money -""Don't be ridiculous, Ron," Dad interrupted, who looked very strained. "Black's not going to be caught by a thirteen-year-old wizard. It's the Azkaban guards who'll get him back, you mark my words."

At that moment Mum entered the bar, laden with shopping bags and followed by the twins, Fred, George and Percy. Percy held out his hand solemnly as though he and Harry had never met and said, "Harry .How nice to see you. "Hello, Percy," said Harry, looking like he was trying not to laugh. "I hope you're well?" said Percy pompously, shaking hands. "Very well, thanks --"

"Harry!" Fred exclaimed, elbowing Percy out of the way and bowing deeply. "Simply splendid to see you, old boy --" "Marvellous," said George, pushing Fred aside and seizing Harry's hand in turn. "Absolutely spiffing." Percy scowled. "That's enough, now," said Mum. "Mum!" I grinned as though I'd only just spotted her and seizing her hand too. "How really corking to see you --""I said, that's enough," said Mum, depositing her shopping in an empty chair. "Hello dears. I suppose you've heard our exciting news?" She pointed to the brand-new silver badge on Percy's chest. "Second Head Boy in the family!" she said, swelling with pride. "And last," Fred muttered under his breath. "I don't doubt that," Mum said, frowning suddenly. "I notice they haven't made you two prefects."

"What do we want to be prefects for?" said George, looking revolted at the very idea. "It'd take all the fun out of life. "Ginny giggled. "You want to set a better example for your sisters!" Mum snapped. "Peyton and Ginny have got other brothers to set her an example, Mother," said Percy loftily. "I'm going up to change for dinner..."He disappeared and George heaved a sigh. "We tried to shut him in a pyramid," he told them. "But Mum spotted us."

Dinner that night was very enjoyable. Tom put three tables together in the parlour, and collectively we ate their way through five delicious courses. "How're we getting to King's Cross tomorrow, Dad?" Fred asked as we dug into a sumptuous chocolate pudding. "The Ministry's providing a couple of cars," Dad said. Everyone looked up at him. "Why?" Percy asked curiously. "It's because of you, Perce," George said seriously. "And there'll belittle flags on the hoods, with HB on them""-- for Humongous Bighead," finished Fred. Everyone except Percy and Mum snorted into their pudding. "Why are the Ministry providing cars, Father?" Percy asked again, in a dignified voice. "Well, as we haven't got one anymore," Dad said nervously,"-- and as I work there, they're doing me a favour --" I rolled my eyes. "Liar liar, pants on fire," I whispered.

"Good thing, too," Mum said briskly. "Do you realise how much luggage you've all got between you? A nice sight you'd be on the Muggle Underground.... You are all packed, aren't you?" "Ron hasn't put all his new things in his trunk yet," Percy tattled, in a long-suffering voice. "He's dumped them on my bed." "You'd better go and pack properly, Ron, because we won't have much time in the morning," Mum called down the table.

After dinner everyone felt very full and sleepy. One by one they made their way upstairs to their rooms to check their things for the next day. After introducing the girls to my new pets and changing into a pair of cute black with white hearted pyjamas, I went back downstairs and sat against one of the walls, doodling in one of my books.

A few minutes later, Mum and Dad come in. "It makes no sense not to tell them," Dad was saying heatedly. I hide myself behind a bench and they sit down. "They've got a right to know. I've tried to tell Fudge, but he insists on treating them like children. He's thirteen years old and she's twelve--"

"Arthur, the truth would terrify them!" said Mum shrilly. I narrow my eyes. What are they talking about? "Do you really want to send them back to school with that hanging over them? For heaven's sake, they're happy not knowing!"

"I don't want to make them miserable, I want to put them on their guards!" Dad defended. "You know what Harry and Ron are like, wandering off by themselves -- they've ended up in the Forbidden Forest twice! And don't even get me started on Peyton -"

"She's reckless but she's smart and she can protect herself," Mum interrupted Dad, and I smiled. "But they mustn't do that this year! She can't be reckless -- and when I think what could have happened to them that night they ran away from home! If the Knight Bus hadn't picked them up, I'm prepared to bet both of them would've been dead before the Ministry found them," Dad said gravely.

"But he's not dead, he's fine, so what's the point?" Mum asked.

"Molly, they say Sirius Black's mad, and maybe he is, but he was clever enough to escape from Azkaban, and that's supposed to be impossible. It's been three weeks, and no one's seen hide nor hair of him, and I don't care what Fudge keeps telling the Daily Prophet, we're no nearer catching Black than inventing self-spelling wands. The only thing we know for sure is what Black's after -"

"But they will be perfectly safe at Hogwarts."

"We thought Azkaban was perfectly safe. If Black can break out of Azkaban, he can break into Hogwarts."

"But no one's really sure that Black's after Harry an-"

Dad banged his fist on the table. "Molly, how many times do I have to tell you? They didn't report it in the press because Fudge wanted it kept quiet, but Fudge went out to Azkaban the night Black escaped. The guards told Fudge that Blacks been talking in his sleep for a while now. Always the same words: 'He's at Hogwarts... he's at Hogwarts.' Black is deranged, Molly, and he wants Harry dead. If you ask me, he thinks murdering Harry will bring You-Know-Who back to power. Black lost everything the night Harry stopped You- Know-Who, and he's had twelve years alone in Azkaban to brood on that...."

There was silence.

They were wrong. I knew they were wrong. Sirius Black wasn't guilty, and I'm the only one apart from him who seemed to know that. He wasn't after us, either, and he wasn't a death eater. If any wizards bothered to watch Muggle Detective TV shows they would know about framing and all that stuff.

"Well, Arthur, you must do what you think is right. But you're forgetting Albus Dumbledore. I don't think anything could hurt Harry and Peyton at Hogwarts while Dumbledore's headmaster. I suppose he knows about all this?"

"Of course he knows. We had to ask him if he minds the Azkaban guards stationing themselves around the entrances to the school grounds. He wasn't happy about it, but he agreed."

"Not happy? Why shouldn't he be happy, if they're there to catch Black?"

"Dumbledore isn't fond of the Azkaban guards," Dad said heavily. "Nor am one, if it comes to that... but when you're dealing with a wizard like Black, you sometimes have to join forces with those you'd rather avoid."

"If they save Harry and Peyton then I will never say another word against them," Dad said wearily. "It's late, Molly, we'd better go up...."

Dad and Mum went upstairs, and I spotted Harry sneak in, grabbing Ron's bottle of Rat Tonic from under the table then going back upstairs.

I go upstairs and into my room. Minerva is in her cage, and Malia is sleeping on my pillow. I stroke her, climbing in next to the cat. "Good night Min and Mal," I whisper before drifting off to sleep.

Chapter 3 - 🎶We're off to go to Hogwarts. The Wonderful Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry🎶

I woke long before the sun the next morning, and wasn't able to go back to sleep. I shrug on a pair of black ripped jean shorts and a white shirt, before going downstairs and out into the muggle world for a walk, ignoring what Fudge had instructed.

The muggle world was more peaceful than the wizarding one, by a lot. I strolled down the street, and turned a corner, running into a big black dog. "Hey Sirius. How's the convict life treating you?" I asked the dog, who barked. I walked off into an alley, and the dog followed me, turning into Sirius Black when we were out of sight. "How is this possible?" he murmured. "Well here I am, your besties daughter right here," I smirked. "That's not what I - hang on, who are you?" he asked. "Peyton Mary Marlene Potter, pleasure to meet you," I smirked at his face. "That's not possible," he mumbled. "It is. Technology is very advanced. How's the hunt for Pettigrew going?" I ask. Sirius eyed me. "How do you know so much?" he asked. "Lily Potter kept extensive diaries. I've been reading them. Let me guess, you escaped from prison to commit the murder that got you put in prison," I raised an eyebrow. Sirius nodded. "Pettigrew is hiding with the Weasley family," he said. I faltered. "What? No he isn't," I frowned. "Yes, he's the rat," Sirius said. "The rat?" I gasp as realization dawns. "Scabbers. A normal rat can't live past four at the most, but we've had him for twelve years. And his toe ..." I lean against the wall. "Scabbers is Ron's rat, and he seems extra careful with him lately. Should I try and get him for you or something?" Sirius nodded. "Thank you ... Peyton," he said, turning back into a dog.

I walked back towards the Leaky Cauldron and opened the door, walking inside. Mum turns to frown at me. "Where have you been?!" she demanded. "Went for a walk," I shrugged, sitting down. "You aren't allowed to go into the muggle world while we're here!" Mum said. "That's why I didn't tell you," I raised my eyebrow like it was obvious and went up to my room.

Minerva was sleeping in her cage and Malia was lying on the bed snoozing. I put my headphones on and started my loop while I read one of my books; The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis. There was a knock at the door about an hour later, and Fred and George walked in. "Ah, Chaos and Chaos. What can I do for you?" I asked, pausing the music. "Mum says hurry up," Fred told me, and I got up. With a wave of my hand, Malia floats into her carrier, and my trunk, along with Minerva's cage and Malia's carrier float up. "Why are you doing magic outside of school?" George asked. "I removed the Trace when I was nine, keep up," I walked past them, my bags floating past me.

When I got downstairs, Dad was reading the frontpage of the Daily Prophet with a furrowed brow and Mum was telling Hermione and Ginny about a love potion she'd made as a young girl. All three of them were rather giggly. Harry, Ron and the twins walk in and sit down next to me. "What were you saying?" Ron asked Harry as they sat down. "Later," Harry muttered as Percy stormed in. After breakfast, we had to deal with the chaos of leaving.

Dad, who had been outside waiting for the Ministry cars, stuck his head inside. "They're here," he said. "Come on." Dad marched Harry and me across the short stretch of pavement toward the first of two old- fashioned dark green cars, each of which was driven by a furtive-looking wizard wearing a suit of emerald velvet. "In you get," said Dad, glancing up and down the crowded street. Harry got into the back of the car and I, in turn, got in the other one. I was joined by Mum, the twins and Ginny. The journey to King's Cross was very uneventful, mostly spent the boys whispering under hushed tones, Ginny trying to eavesdrop, Molly sighing that the twins were giving her a migraine, and me just reading in the corner.

We reached King's Cross with twenty minutes to spare; the Ministry drivers found us trolleys, unloaded our trunks, touched their hats in salute to Dad, and drove away, somehow managing to jump to the head of an unmoving line at the traffic lights. Dad kept close to Harry's elbow all the way into the station. "Right then," he said, glancing around them. "Let's do this in pairs, as there are so many of us. I'll go through first with Harry." Dad strolled toward the barrier between platforms nine and ten, pushing Harry's trolley. With a meaningful look at Harry, he leaned casually against the barrier, and the boy imitated him. In a moment, they had fallen sideways through the solid metal. "Ginny and Percy, you next," Molly said. "I can go with Ginny," I sighed, and we copied what Dad and Harry had done, falling sideways onto platform nine and three- quarters.

I looked up to see the Hogwarts Express, a scarlet steam engine, puffing smoke over a platform packed with witches and wizards seeing their children onto the train. The twins arrive next, followed by Ron and Hermione. Percy and Mum suddenly appeared behind us. "Ah, there's Penelope!" said Percy, smoothing his hair and going Pink again. I turned away to hide my laughter as Percy strode over to the Ravenclaw Prefect from last year, walking with his chest thrown out so that she couldn't miss his shiny badge. We clambered on, and leaned out of the window to wave at Mum and Dad until the train turned a corner and blocked them from view. "I need to talk to you in private," Harry muttered to Ron and Hermione as the train picked up speed. "Go away, second years," said Ron. "Oh, that's nice," said Ginny huffily, and she stalked off. I was right behind her.

"What's up with Mum and Dad?" Ginny asked. "They think Sirius Black is trying to kill me and Harry," I told her bluntly. We walked into our carriage from last year, which had gotten squished. There was Matilda, Kella, Aubrey, Candace, Caridy, Rebekah, Charlotte, Ella Rose, Nina, Bridget, Savannah, MJ, Ashley, Aubrey's sister Dove, a girl with long dark hair, and some cute brown haired boy. In summary, there were eighteen people squished into a six person carriage. "Everyone, this is my brother Remus," Caridy introduced. "He's a relative? Damn it, why are all the cute ones related to friends," Ginny commented, and Remus went scarlet. "And this is Dove, my little sister," Aubrey introduced. "Okay I ship it," Bridget declared. We turned to look at the Slytherin. "What? Remus and Dove would make an adorable forbidden love couple!" Bridget laughed. "I totally agree. I'm Nevaeh White -- by the way," Nevaeh said. "Okay, not to be rude, but can some of us find a different carriage? There are almost twenty people in here," I said. "Yeah, let's leave you old people to it. Come on Remus and Dove," Nevaeh pulled herself off the floor and offered a hand to the two other first-years. The trio left. "We'll leave you lot," Caridy said, and Candace, Charlotte, Ella Rose, Rebekah, MJ, Ashley, Savannah, Nina and Bridget left.

I grinned at the more empty space. "How was your holiday?" Kella asked. "Mine was relaxing, I got back into work, but I'd been demoted to farm work with Winston instead of working in the vineyard with my older brother Gale. Even then, it was peaceful having a break from magic," Matilda sighed. "We went to Romania, then Mum forced Peyton to have a week at the Dursleys, which ended up being a month. I just hung out with my brothers," Ginny smiled. "We went to Norway," Aubrey shrugged. "Really? How come you didn't tell us?!" Matilda exclaimed. " Well I don't really want to talk about my engagement-"

"YOU'RE ENGAGED!"

Aubrey winced. "My parents took us all to see the Norwegian Royal Family. They are one of the purest bloodlines, and the Queen is related to Helga Hufflepuff," she said. "You met a royal family! What was it like? Who even are in the Norwegian Royal Family?" Kella gushed. "Well there is King Edmund III and Queen Meredith, who rule. Prince Kristopher IX, who's fifteen, Princess Sonja I, who is fourteen, Prince Elias IV, who is ten, and Princess Astella VI, who is nine. My parents brought me over to discuss my betrothal to Prince Kristopher," she whispered the last part, but Ginny, who was sitting next to her, caught it. "You're engaged to the future King of Norway!"

My jaw dropped. "So you are going to get married and have kids, who will be the heirs of Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, and be Queen of Norway?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Can we talk about something else, anything else?" Aubrey buried her head in her hands.

"We will talk about this later. Peyton, how were the muggles?" Matilda asked me.

I reached into my bag and dumped a bunch of lollies on the seat. "Well I got along with them alright until the last night. Harry's aunt Marge was staying, and we made fun of and insulted Harry all week, but on the last night, she crossed a line. She basically said that Lily was a defective bitch and James was useless and incapable of doing anything, so Harry blew her up and we ran away. So we stayed at the Leaky Cauldron for the rest of the holidays, and I got a bunch of money out from my vault that apparently Lily and James left me. Oh -- did I mention I saw Harry's godfather Sirius Black?" I bite into a chocolate frog. "Look at that -- I got your missing relation Aubs: Slytherin," I grinned, holding up the card.

"Ooh, I'm actually going to take that since I need that card, but that doesn't mean I like the joke," Aubrey snatched the card out of my hand.

"Wait -- you saw Black? And he's Harry's godfather? Why didn't you say anything?!" Kella gasped.

"Because I'm helping him and he's innocent," I grab a packet of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Bean and grab one out, popping a red one in. "Why do people always hate on the blood flavour, it isn't even that bad!"

"Peyton - focus," Kella snapped her fingers, and I looked at the girl. "Why do you think Black is innocent?" I toss her one of Lily's diaries, and she flicks through it. "Sirius asked us to make Peter the Secret Keeper, apparently Sirius being the keeper would be too obvious. Secret Keeper -- what is that?" Kella asked.

"The Potters knew they were being targeted, and that all of the Death Eaters wanted them dead. So Dumbledore suggested the Fidelius charm, which means that one or more people can be the Secret Keeper, so no one could find the object or person or location unless the Secret Keeper told them how to get in. They chose Sirius, but Sirius convinced them to change it to Peter Pettigrew, and a week later the rat betrayed them, Voldemort killed the Potters, and Peter framed Sirius and blew up an entire street, killing a whole lot of people," I pick a black jellybean out and put it in my mouth, smiling. "Why do people hate on the licorice flavour, it's not even that bad?"

"First, licorice is disgusting. Second, if you know all this, why didn't you say anything?" Ginny asked.

"Because it isn't proof. That sort of evidence isn't definite, or at least it won't be in their eyes," I sigh, pouring the whole box of disgusting beans in my mouth. "Why did I do that?"

"What did you talk to Black about? And how -- since all the Muggles and Wixens in the world are trying to find him?" Aubrey asked.

"Sirius Black is an Animagus. All of their friend group was, since their friend Remus Lupin was a werewolf and werewolves don't attack other animals. James Potter was a stag, Peter Pettigrew was a rat and Sirius was a big black dog," I swallow the beans and reach for a box of muggle chocolates.

"So you are trying to help him find Peter?" Ginny guessed.

"Already found him. The trouble will be getting him. Tell me, Ginny, do you know a small grey rat that has been around for twelve years and is missing a toe?" I ask her.

Ginny's eyes widened. "Scabbers! Ron's rat is Peter Pettigrew!"

"Correct-a-Mundo. The trouble is, Ron seems extra protective over Scabbers. And the Azkaban guards are guarding the school, since they think Sirius is after Hero-Complex and me," I sigh.

"I'm going to go find Ron and tell him," Ginny stood up.

"Ginny, he's not going to believe you," I stood up and followed her out. "Ginny. Ginny come-" I stop suddenly. "The train, Ginny, the train isn't moving anymore." She turns to look out the window and sees the windows going cold. All the lights went out, and I couldn't see past my hand. "The Azkaban guards, Ginny we need to get in a compartment," I feel for a door, then open it and shoved her in, and she squealed in pain as she hit someone.

"Who's that?"

"Who's that?"

"Ginny?"

"Hermione?"

"What are you doing?"

"I was looking for Ron --"

"Come in and sit down --" I walk in and shut the compartment door behind me, trying to sit down. "Not here!" said Harry hurriedly. "I'm here!"

"Ouch!"

"Quiet!" said a hoarse voice suddenly.

There was a soft, crackling noise, and a shivering light filled the compartment. A man in ragged clothing appeared to be holding a handful of flames. They illuminated his tired, grey face, but his eyes looked alert and wary. "Stay where you are," he said in the same hoarse voice, and he got slowly to his feet with his handful of fire held out in front of him.

But the door slid slowly open before he could reach it.

Standing in the doorway, illuminated by the shivering flames in Lupin's hand, was a cloaked figure that towered to the ceiling. Its face was completely hidden beneath its hood.

I heard a scream and gasped. It was like all the life was leaving my body, like I couldn't breathe. A terrible, terrified, pleading scream echoed through my head. I wanted to to help whoever it was, but when I tried to move I couldn't... a thick white fog was swirling around me, inside me-

The next thing I know, I am lying in a bed. It's not a cosy bed, but more of a stale one. I sat up and groaned. "Here, eat this," Madam Pomfrey thrust a big block of chocolate at me. Never one to turn down chocolate, I bit off a piece, and felt a warmth spread through my body.

"Are you okay?"

I turn to see all of my roommates sitting by my bed. "I hate dementors. And who screamed?" I asked.

"No one screamed," Aubrey said nervously.

"When did we get to Hogwarts?" I ask. "Yesterday, technically. You've been out for at least twelve hours," Ginny said. "I thought you were having a fit or something. "You went sort of rigid and fell out of your seat and started twitching, and then you went still, like you were dead." The girl looked scared. "Don't worry, you weren't the only one who collapsed, your brother did as well, but he woke up on the train," Matilda assured her. "Attention seeker. How did the feast go?" I asked. "Is that really the first thing on your mind?" Kella laughed. "You know I hate talking about myself," I smiled, holding out a piece of chocolate, but none of them took it.

"No you don't."

"No I don't."

Aubrey grinned. "Remus got Gryffindor, by the way, and Dove's sorting lasted like three minutes. Apparently it was difficult for the hat to decide between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, but she ended up with us. And you know that weird girl Nevaeh?" she asked.

"Yeah. And why is she weird?" I asked.

"She had a hat stall," Matilda said.

I shot up. "You're kidding? There hasn't been a hat stall in decades. How long was hers?" I ask.

"Seven minutes. I heard Caridy talking to Charlotte about it. According to Nevaeh, the Sorting Hat couldn't decide between Slytherin, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, so it let her choose. Because the other two were Gryffindor, Nevaeh chose Gryffindor," Kella explained.

"This year is going to be fun," I smirk.

"Not only that, you remember your dad and Black's friend that had the ... uh ... furry little problem?" Matilda asked.

"Yeah?" I frowned.

"He's our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher," Ginny told her.

"Oh this year is going to be awesome," I grinned.

"And there are dementors posted around the school looking for Black," Kella finished.

"Slightly less awesome, but it will still be epic. We should have a cheer, like when the muggles go in a small circle and put their hands in the middle in muggle movies and they chant something, then run off. Like instead of Go Team Go! on three, we could be; Annoying students that make teachers need therapy and question all their life choices on three!" I mimicked the action, and Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Are you feeling better, Miss Potter?" Madam Pomfrey walked over.

"She's flatlining. Call it. Time?" Matilda jokes, and I chuckled.

"No, no, I'm going to live forever. I'm gonna be made of plastic," I grin, and the girls roll their eyes.

"She's fine, just give her some ibuprofen and she'll walk it off," Matilda said.

"I have no idea what that is," Madam Pomfrey told the red-head.

"You pure-bloods. It's a drug that relieves pain, inflammation and fever -- you know what, forget I said anything," Matilda rolled her eyes.

"Always do, ginger," I comment, getting out of bed. "Let's ditch this joint and go take some ibo-pro-fenny."

"Ibuprofen," Matilda corrected.

"What I said, ibo-pro-fenny."

Chapter 4 - The Destruction of the Defense Against The Dark Arts Classroom

Second Year. It meant a lot of things.

1) It meant we weren't the babies of the school anymore.

2) It meant we got to ride up in the carriages.

3) It meant we got to sit further away from the teachers in the Great Hall when we have assemblies.

4) It meant way. more. freedom.

From what I've been told, I was a lot like James and Lily in different ways. I had my father's hair, my mother's brains, my father's energy, but this was the year I was like my father the most.

This was the year I turned into Fred and George.

For a start, I had the Marauders map, (AKA, the freedom finder), and I had an entire summer of pent-up anger and frustration.

"You ready!?" I hissed at Kella, who flicked a page over in her book.

"Don't really care," she replied, picking up a fry and chewing it, her eyes never leaving her book. I rolled my own eyes and grabbed my wand out of my pocket.

"Three.

"Two.

"One."

Suddenly the tables started to lift. A few kids screamed and I bit my lip to stop the laughter. The tables floated up to the ceiling, then flipped upside down. Ropes stretched across my body, and the bodies of the other students on the tables, keeping up strapped in and not able to fall down. A flick of my wrist made a gravity barrier, stopping the food from falling.

I giggled, glancing round at everyone's expressions. Kella was still reading her book, and most of the students, realising they were in no danger, went back to eating or shrieked in delight, waving down to the students below. The teachers seemed to be impressed, watching us with delight.

Eventually, though, the tables were brought down, and I was given detention for a week.

Worth it!

"You're getting reckless, Toni," Matilda told me as we walked to Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"Reckless-shmeckless. It's called living while you still can, Till," I answered the girl.

She was right, though. So far, in the twenty days we had been back at school, I'd gotten in trouble fourteen times. I had detention until Christmas.

"You should be focusing on your studies, not whatever this all is," Matilda decided.

"But I am focusing on my studies! I have all of my books memorised, learnt all of the spells until OWLs, straight Outstanding, and have read all of the assigned readings until fourth year! This is just an extra-curricular activity," I folded my arms as we walked into Defence Against the Dark Arts. Professor Lupin was already inside, writing on the blackboard. Matilda and I took our seats as the rest of the class filed in. I sat my feet up on the desk, but Matilda whacked them off and glared at me.

"Good afternoon class, I hear you had some excitement at lunch," Lupin looked pointedly at me, and I gave him a little wave. "Let's try and focus that excitement into something a little more productive. Now how many of you have tried duelling before?"

My heart raced. I loved duelling. It was something I've always been quite good at, with and without magic.

I raised my hand, along with a couple of other kids. Lupin eyed me curiously, before glancing back to the rest of the class.

"Well we are going to have a little competition. Using any, or all, of the spells you have learnt so far - and yes Miss Potter, you have to use a wand - we will duel off until there are two of us left. The winner will gain one hundred points to their house and extra credit, while the person who came second will receive fifty points towards their house," Lupin announced.

"Not to mention bragging rights," Lorenzo Berkshire added from where he was lounging against his seat next to Mattheo.

Lupin nodded at him. "I suppose for a group of twelve year old's, bragging rights is worth more than the biggest trophy in the world," he chuckled, and I rolled my eyes. So right.

We stood up, and with a flick of his wrist, Lupin moved everything out of the way. I faced off against Matilda.

"Stupefy!" she yelled, but I blocked it with "Protego!"

Usually, without a wand, she'd be out in a second, probably less. But since we were forced to use wands, we were almost evenly matched. Well not evenly, I usually go easy. But today ...

"Reducto!"

Matilda flew across the room and smacked into Bridget Greenblatt, who was duelling her roommate Nora Parkinson. "Watch it Covey," Parkinson glared.

"Petrificus Totalus!" I shot the curse at her, and Matilda froze, falling to the ground. I grin.

"Victory for me, Professor! Finite Incantatum," I unfroze the red head, and she sat up.

"No fair, we haven't learnt the Body Bind Curse yet," she pointed out.

"Sir said we can use any of the spells we have learnt so far. I told you I have learnt every needed spell until OWLs," I grin.

From Matilda, I bet out Aubrey, Freya Lockwood and Kella. It came down to me and Bridget, who had won her match against Mattheo.

"Sir, for the finale I would like to propose a wandless battle," Bridget smirked. I raised my eyebrow.

"Are you sure?" Lupin asked, a crease appeared between his eyebrows.

Bridget nodded.

"And you?" Lupin looked at me, and as an answer, I handed my wand to Matilda, and Bridget gave hers to Freya. The class was gathered at a safe distance, watching the two of us. Lupin quietened the class down, and I faced Bridget. She had an amused look on her face.

"Begin."

I sent a red energy blast at Bridget, but she blocked it with a glowing green shield.

"Since when could you do that?" Nora asked.

Bridget didn't answer, swirling her hand and creating a flurry of green energy blasts. I waved my hand and the blasts turned red and spun around. Bridget deflected most of the red orbs away, but the last one hit her in the arm. Bridget grimaced, and I used that moment to send a powerful blast into her stomach. Bridget tumbled into the wall, and the class gasped. Bridget groaned, and a flicker of worry came through my triumphant face. Luckily she was fine, but less luckily, Bridget sent a ripple across the floor, knocking me to the ground. I stood up and stared down at the girl. Power swirled through me, and red blurred my vision.

"Peyton! Hey Peyton!"

When my eyesight cleared, I was lying on the floor. Bridget was leaning over me. "Hey loser," she smirked, offering a hand to me. With her help, I scrambled to my feet. When I glanced around, everyone was lying on the floor out cold.

I gasped, my hands clamped around my mouth. "What happened?" I asked when I could talk.

"You," Bridget waved her hand and the furniture went back to its rightful place, then all of the students went to their seats. "Chocolate?"

I took the piece of chocolate she offered me and immediately felt a warmth spread through my body. "I did this?" I asked her when I was okay.

"Made a huge mess of things too. Knocked everyone straight out."

I turned to look at the dark haired Slytherin. "How come you are okay?" I questioned.

"I was on the floor. The magic came out of your chest and whipped around, hitting everything in the same height. Only in this classroom, don't worry. And they're okay, I checked," Bridget reassured me.

A groan interrupted us, and I turned to see Lupin coming to. Bridget offered him a slab of chocolate and he ate it, thanking her. When the man recovered, he adjusted himself and stared us down. "What happened?"

"My magic got a bit out of control," I chuckled nervously. Lupin eyed me.

"You are a powerful witch, Peyton, just like your parents. There is no doubt about that," he chuckled.

"If you are about to give me a big speech about how I need to control my magic and blah blah blah, I am about to hit you in the head with a block of chocolate," I told my teacher.

Lupin grinned. "Well, I set the rules. If you don't control your magic, it will control you. With great power comes great responsibili-" he was interrupted by a flying block of chocolate hitting him on the side of the head.

"I don't follow the rules," I walked out of the classroom.

"Peyton. Hey, Peyton!"

I turned to see Bridget running after me. "Hey Ridgy," I turned back around.

"First of all, Ridgy is not my name. Second, this isn't your fault," Bridget said as she caught up with me.

"I tore apart a room and rendered everyone except you unconscious. How is that not my fault?"

Bridget sighed at my words. She had a look in her eye, I couldn't tell what it was. "You lost control. Everyone does that at some point. When my brother was learning wandless magic he killed three stags. We only owned one stag, he somehow managed to kill a stag, then bring it to life, then kill it, then bring it to life, then kill it again. It was weird," she smiled at the memory, but my brain couldn't bring myself to.

"Those were deer, Ridge. These were people. Real people that I could've hurt," I ran my tongue over my teeth and leaned against the wall. Bridget bit her lip.

"Loony Lupin is right. We all lose control, and you can learn from that, you can grow. You're only twelve, you can't expect yourself to be perfect. Start with something small, and just find a way to tell your magic that you're in charge. Focus it. Do the small thing. Master your magic. Don't beat yourself up," Bridget shot me a grin, then walked off. I glanced after her, then sighed and walked off.

The hallways were empty, everyone was in their Wednesday afternoon class. I managed to ruin a double DADA lesson, so luckily no other teachers were expecting the other kids.

Bridget was right. It wasn't my fault. People lose control, like how Harry blew up Marge. It is not my fault.

I'd just managed to convince myself that when Dumbledore rounded the corner. I froze.

"Ah, Miss Peyton. Aren't you supposed to be in class?" he asked in his whispery voice.

"Yeah, but I knocked everyone unconscious, so I'm going to chill in the common room until McGonagall comes to yell at me," I shrugged, trying to get past him.

"May I ask how you managed to do that?"

Dumbledore clearly didn't see how annoyed I was. Why can't you walk down a hallway without socialising! Typical Lost Generationers. Who even names an era that!? Millennials are way better. Like Lost Generation is a horrible name.

"Nah, you can hear about it from Lupin," I told the man and walked past him.

Chapter 5 - The Flight of the Fat Lady

The next day, what had happened in Lupin's class was fizzing round school. Fred and George were joking about it, but it was annoying.

Luckily, as soon as people found out about Hogsmeade, my incident was forgotten. Harry didn't get to go, which was karma for him being an insufferable git.

Halloween rolled around, which was exciting, but was quickly ruined by the twins when a prank went wrong and I was imprisoned in the tower for a week.

"How much are you willing to bet Fred and George are planning something horrible?" Caridy asked. We were all curled up by the fire. Rebekah and Remus had found a way to let Bridget, Ellarose, Savannah, Ashley, MJ and Luna into the tower. Nobody bothered to ask, the siblings always gave vague unintelligible answers.

"They better not, McGonagall, Pomfrey, Mum and I already yelled at them for causing me to miss the feast. Well that was my concern, theirs was less selfish," I groaned.

"How come only third-years and older get to go to Hogsmeade?" Nevaeh groaned, tossing a chocolate-covered macadamia into her mouth.

"You lot could take the secret passage Fred and George used to sneak to Hogsmeade," I suggested, and they all shot up, looking at me.

"Are you telling me there is a secret passage into Hogsmeade and you are only telling us now!" Savannah exclaimed. I raised an eyebrow.

"Can someone go grab the map? I'm not allowed to move," I sighed.

Aubrey rolled her eyes before disappearing upstairs, returning a minute later with a piece of parchment clutched in her hand. The map is already unlocked: she must have unlocked it upstairs. The other girls look at the map excitedly.

"Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. Who are they?" Dove asked. Like her sister, Dove had relaxed herself without her parents around to critique her actions. Nevaeh, Remus and Dove became friends almost immediately, which their older sisters all took credit for.

"Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black and James Potter," I answered, and my roommates wheeled on me.

"You said you didn't know who they were!" Matilda gaped.

"Lily Potter wrote about the map and that stuff in one of her many diaries," I held up a red diary. Caridy snatched the book, and I laughed as the red-haired girl flicked through, reading the pages. "I put a spell on the book. Only those related to me can read it."

Caridy froze, and shut the book. Glancing at Ashley, she handed the book back. "That explains it," she chuckled, but it felt forced, empty.

Dinner came quicker than I'd have liked. The group left, but Matilda and Kella promised to return straight away after collecting food. The others wanted to join, but the two girls insisted on them attending the feast.

Waiting was annoying. I was sprawled across the couch reading for what felt like an age before the two returned, laden with food.

We spent the evening gossiping and joking around. The sun had long set, and it was almost eleven.

"Where is everybody?" Kella asked, looking at the closed portrait. Matilda and I shrugged. Kella stood up and walked to the portrait. "I'm going to go find Aubrey and Ginny," Kella opened the portrait door and gasped.

"What is it?" Matilda asked. We walked over to her, and gasped.

The Fat Lady had vanished from her portrait, which had been slashed so viciously that strips of canvas littered the floor; great chunks of it had been torn away completely.

"Stay here you two. I'll go find Dumbledore. Keep the portrait shut!" Kella said, and ran off.

Matilda looked at me. "Someone needs to go find the Fat Lady. We need someone to be able to open the portrait door from the inside, don't you dare move," she instructed, before shoving me inside and closing the portrait.

I ran back to the couch and picked up the map from where we had left it. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," I tapped it and the ink shimmered to life. Most of the students were in the great hall, along with all the teachers, except for Kella running down hallways, and Matilda who was right outside.

I whistled for Minerva and she landed on my shoulder. A stray piece of paper sat on a table, and I scribbled Gryffindor Tower on it. "Epistula loquens," I wave my hand and a red envelope folded around the letter. After fastening the Howler to Minerva's foot, I opened the portrait door and my owl flew off.

Aubrey's Point of View

The feast felt emptier without Matilda, Kella and Peyton, but still beautiful. The Great Hall looked amazing, it had been decorated with hundreds and hundreds of candle-filled pumpkins, a cloud of fluttering live bats, and many flaming orange streamers, which were swimming lazily across the stormy ceiling like brilliant water snakes.

Kella and Matilda left almost immediately after collecting food. Houses were forgotten, everyone just sat together. Some of Bridget's roommates from Slytherin reluctantly joined us, Freya Lockwood, Nora Parkinson, Millie Mackenzie and Della MacPherson. They weren't horrible, and Freya did a crack-up impression of Filch, and her McGonagall impression had Caridy in stitches.

"Where are the other girls?" Millie asked curiously.

"Fred and George played a prank on Peyton and now she isn't allowed to leave Gryffindor Tower for a week. Kella and Matilda stayed with her so she wouldn't be alone," Ginny explained.

"I bet Peyton tried to murder them," Nora chuckled. Everybody nodded.

"It was very violent," Charlotte nodded.

It seemed weird that we were getting along, but I didn't want to mention it in fear of ruining it.

The food was to die for! I don't think there was a single person who only had one helping, even the third years stuffed with Hogsmeade treats still managed a second helping or more.

The feast finished with entertainment provided by the Hogwarts Ghosts. They popped out of the walls and tables to do a bit of formation gliding; Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost, had a great success with a reenactment of his own botched beheading.

We were about to part ways and head to our dormitories when Peyton's owl Minerva flew in with a red envelope in her mouth, landing in front of me and Ginny. We exchanged a weird look of confusion, and I opened the envelope cautiously.

Peyton's voice boomed over everyone else's, saying two words: "Gryffindor Tower." I looked at Ginny, and we burst out of our seats, running out of the hall quickly. I felt people moving behind me, and I spun round a corner, running into Kella.

"What happened?" Ginny asked. Kella panted heavily, her face was red from sprinting.

"The fat lady, she's gone," she told us when she could breathe. There were gasps from behind us, but I didn't bother to look back, and ran up the stairs. Matilda was standing in front of the entrance to Gryffindor Tower, looking round at all of the portraits.

"What are you looking for?" I asked when I reached her.

"The Fat Lady," Matilda replied. I move the girl and gasp. The Fat Lady was nowhere on her portrait, which had been slashed viciously, strips of the canvas on the floor. If I didn't know what it was supposed to be I never would've guessed it was her portrait.

Dumbledore pushed past me, practically the whole student body trying to get a look. McGonagall was right behind him, along with Lupin and Snape.

"We need to find her," Dumbledore said. "Professor McGonagall, please goto Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castlefor the Fat Lady."

"You'll be lucky!" a familiar voice cackled.

It was Peeves, bobbing over the crowd and looking delighted, as he always did, at the sight of wreckage or worry.

"What do you mean, Peeves?" Dumbledore said calmly, and Peeves' grin faded a little. He didn't dare taunt Dumbledore.

Instead he adopted an oily voice that was no better than his cackle. "Ashamed, Your Headship,sit. Doesn't want to be seen. She's a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the trees. Crying something dreadful," he said happily. "Poor thing," headed unconvincingly.

"Did she say who did it?" said Dumbledore quietly.

"Oh yes, Professorhead," Peeves smirked, with the air of one cradling a large bombshell in his arms. "He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in, you see." Peeves flipped over and grinned at Dumbledore from between his own legs. "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."

The portrait door swung open, startling me. I turned to see Peyton grinning at us. "I timed that perfectly," she commented, and I laughed despite myself. She knew the exact thing to say to brighten the mood.

Professor Dumbledore sent all the students back to the Great Hall. "The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle,"he told them as Professors McGonagall and Flitwickclosed all doors into the hall. "I'm afraid that, for your own safety,you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy andGirl in charge. Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately,"he added to Percy, who was looking immensely proud and important. "Send Word with one of the ghosts."Professor Dumbledore paused, about to leave the hall, and said, "Oh,yes, you'll be needing..."

One casual wave of his wand and the long tables flew to the edges of the hall and stood themselves against the walls; another wave, and the floor was covered with hundreds of squashy purple sleeping bags. “Sleep well," said Professor Dumbledore, closing the door behind him.

The hall immediately began to buzz excitedly. “Everyone into their sleeping bags!" shouted Percy. "Come on, now, no more talking! Lights out in ten minutes!"

We all gathered around the middle, Peyton enjoying the attention. She for once wasn't bothered by the questions, too happy being allowed to leave the tower. Our big group: consisted of Peyton, Ginny, Kella, Candace, Matilda, Caridy, Rebekah, MJ, Ashley, Ellarose, Charlotte, Savannah, Bridget, Dove, Remus, Nevaeh, Freya, Nora, Millie, Della, Luna, Nina, Luna and MJ's roommates Prada Devantier, Maye Campbell and Kya Worsely, and Ellarose, Ashley and Savannah's roommates Marella Jones and Kiara Drinkwater. We all chose sleeping bags close to each other, and Peyton, Kella and Matilda were relaying what happened.

I nudged Ginny. "Do you think he was going after Scabbers?" I asked. Ginny nodded.

"It was the one night when nobody would be in the tower, it makes sense. If it wasn't for Peyton, Kella and Matilda, I don't know what would've happened," Ginny sighed.

"The lights are going out now!" Ginny's older brother Percy shouted. "I want everyone in their sleeping bags and no more talking!"

The candles all went out at once, and I settled in my sleeping bag. The only light now came from the silvery ghosts, who were drifting about talking seriously to the prefects, and the enchanted ceiling, which, like the sky outside, was scattered with stars. What with that, and the whispering that still filled the hall, it felt as though we were sleeping outdoors in a light wind.

As cosy as it was, I didn't manage to sleep for hours. Once every hour, a teacher would reappear in the hall to check that everything was quiet. Around three in the morning, when many students had finally fallen asleep, Professor Dumbledore came in. He looked around for Percy, who had been prowling between the sleeping bags, telling people off for talking. Percy was only a short way away from us, and I quickly pretended to be asleep asDumbledore's footsteps drew nearer.

"Any sign of him, Professor?" asked Percy in a whisper.

"No. All well here?""Everything under control, sir."

"Good. There's no point moving them all now. I've found a temporary guardian for the Gryffindor portrait hole. You'll be able to move them back in tomorrow."

"And the Fat Lady, sir?"

"Hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the second floor. Apparently she refused to let Black in without the password, so he attacked. She'sstill very distressed, but once she's calmed down, I'll have Mr. Filch restore her.'' The door of the hall creaked open again, and more footsteps.

"Headmaster?" It was Snape. "The Whole of the third floor has been searched. He's not there. And Filchhas done the dungeons; nothing there either."

"What about the Astronomy tower? Professor Trelawney's room? TheOwlery?"

"All searched."

"Very well, Severus. I didn't really expect Black to linger."

"Have you any theory as to how he got in, Professor?" asked Snape.

I frowned, wincing slightly. I opened my eyes slightly. Snape looked angry, Percy looked like he was memorising every word coming out of Dumbledore's mouth. Dumbledore's back was to me. "Many, Severus, each of them as unlikely as the next."

"You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before -- ah --the start of term?" said Snape, who was barely opening his lips, as though trying to block Percy out of the conversation.

"I do, Severus," said Dumbledore, and there was something like a warning in his voice.

"It seems -- almost impossible -- that Black could have entered the school without inside help. I did express my concerns whet, you appointed --"

"I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helpedBlack enter it," said Dumbledore, and his tone made it so clear that the subject was closed that Snape didn't reply.

"I must go down to the dementors," said Dumbledore. "I said I would inform them when our search was complete."

"Didn't they want to help, sit?" said Percy.

"Oh yes," said Dumbledore coldly. "But I'm afraid no dementor will cross the threshold of this castle while I am headmaster."

Percy looked slightly abashed. Dumbledore left the hall, walking quickly and quietly. Snape stood for a moment, watching the headmaster with an expression of deep resentment on his face; then he too left.

I turned slightly to see Ginny and Nevaeh's wide eyes staring back at us. What was that about?

Peyton's POV

The school talked of nothing but Sirius Black for the next few days. The Theories about how he had entered the castle became wilder and wilder; Hannah Abbott, from Hufflepuff, spent much of their next Herbology class telling anyone who'd listen that Black could turn into a flowering shrub.

The Fat Lady's ripped canvas had been taken off the wall and replaced with the portrait of Sir Cadogan and his fat grey pony.

Nobodywas very happy about this. Sir Cadogan spent half his time challenging people to duels, and the rest thinking up ridiculously complicated passwords, which he changed at least twice a day.

"He's a complete lunatic," said Seamus Finnigan angrily to Percy. "Can't get anyone else?"

"None of the other pictures wanted the job," said Percy. "Frightened of what happened to the Fat Lady. Sir Cadogan was the only one brave enough to volunteer."

Sir Cadogan, however, was the least of my worries. Harry and I were now being closely watched. Teachers found excuses to walk along corridors with me, and Percy (acting I thought on Mum's orders)was tailing Harry everywhere like an extremely pompous guard dog, while Fred and George took any opportunity to hang out with me. Ginny told me Mum had told them she'd lessen their punishments for me being trapped in Gryffindor Tower.

To cap it all, McGonagall summoned Harry and I into her office, with such a sombre expression on her face I thought someone must have died."There's no point hiding it from you any longer, Potters," she said in a very serious voice. "I know this will come as a shock to you, but SiriusBlack --"

"I know he's after me," said Harry wearily, and I scoffed. "I heard Ron's dad telling his mum. Mr. Weasley works for the Ministry of Magic."

McGonagall seemed very taken aback. She stared at Harry for a moment or two, then said, "I see! Well, in that case, Potter, you'll understand why I don't think it's a good idea for you to be practising Quidditch in the evenings. Out on the field with only your team members,it's very exposed, Potter --"

"We've got our first match on Saturday!" said Harry, outraged, and I snickered. "I've gotta train, Professor!"

McGonagall considered him intently. "Hmm..." McGonagall stood up and stared out of the window at the Quidditch field, just visible through the rain. "Well... goodnessknows, I'd like to see us win the Cup at last... but all the same,Potter... I'd be happier if a teacher were present. I'll ask Madam Hoochto oversee your training sessions."

I laughed. "Shame, you have a chaperone," I told him.

McGonagall turned to me. "Try to stay out of trouble, Potter. That goes for both of you."

The weather worsened steadily as the first Quidditch match drew nearer. Draco Malfoy had gotten injured in his Care of Magical Creatures class, and had used it to get Slytherin out of the game, replaced with Hufflepuff.

And the full moon meant Lupin was away for the first game and a few days during the week. Sadly, that meant Snape got to relief for his Defence Against the Dark Arts. And that meant that he took the opportunity to teach us about -

"Werewolves," said Snape, flicking to the very back chapter in the textbook. "Turn to page 394." He glanced around again. "All of you! Now!"

I smirked at the other girls, opening my book to the page.

"Which of you can tell me how we distinguish between the werewolf and the true wolf?" said Snape.

I raised my hand. "Anyone?" Snape said, ignoring me. His twisted smile was back.``Are you telling me that Professor Lupin hasn't even taught you the basic distinction between --"

Almost everyone in my friend group suddenly raised their hands, and Snape's lip curled before he called on Matilda, who's hand was in her lap.

"Thewerewolf differs from the true wolf in several small ways. The snout of the werewolf is shorter, their eyes are more human-like, they have a tufted tail, and they are more focused in their mindless hunting of humans and thus have more sadistic tendencies whilst in wolf form," Matilda recited, and I smirked.

Snape looked pissed, and moved on. We sat and made notes on werewolves from the textbook, while Snape prowled up and down the rows of desks, examining the work we had been doing with Lupin. When the bell rang at last, Snape held us back.

"You will each write an essay, to be handed in to me, on the ways you recognize and kill werewolves. I want two rolls of parchment on the subject, and I want them by Monday morning. It is time somebody took this class in hand," Snape instructed.

The class shuffled out silently, and waited until about two hallways away from the man before everyone started complaining about Snape and applauding Matilda annoying him.

"Don't worry, I'll do the work," I told them.

"Who are you talking about?" Nora asked.

"All of you. I am way ahead with my homework and I am quite good at copying others' writing. Don't worry, I'll phrase it differently for everyone," I shrugged.

The Slytherins seemed pleased with this, as did the Gryffindors. "Are you sure?" Cal Gillies from Gryffindor asked.

"It'll be more entertaining than the Quidditch match," I shrugged.

Chapter 6 - GRYFFINDOR vsHUFFLEPUFF

Unfortunately, this time I was forced to go to the quidditch match, so I just wrote the essays in the freezing cold. I had cast a barrier around me, so rain just vanished when it hit the barrier.

I'd managed to finish four essays over the sound of the cheers and rain before a feeling filled my body and I finally looked up.

At least a hundred dementors, their hidden faces pointing up at Harry, who was a tiny speck in the rain, were floating beneath him on the field.

The feeling inside me -- it was as though freezing water were rising in my chest, cutting at my insides. And then I heard something, a mute sound, like you couldn't hear properly, something slightly muffling the sound

Someone was screaming, screaming inside my head... a woman...

"Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!"

"Stand aside, you silly girl... stand aside, now...."

"Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead --"

Numbing, swirling white mist was filling my brain, it was a horrible feeling. I tried to struggle to my feet, then the feeling of falling.

"Not Harry! Please... have mercy... have mercy...."

A shrill voice was laughing, the woman was screaming, and I screamed, our voices struggling against the sound waves crashing through my head.

"Lucky the ground was so soft."

"I thought he was dead for sure."

"But he didn't even break his glasses."

I could hear the voices whispering, but they made no sense whatsoever. I didn't have a clue where I was, or how I'd got there, or what I'd been doing before I got there. All I knew was that every inch of me was aching as though it had been beaten.

"That was the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life."

Scariest... the scariest thing... hooded black figures... cold ... screaming...

My eyes snapped open. I was lying in the hospital wing. The Gryffindor Quidditch team, spattered with mud from head to foot, was crowded round a bed next to me, while my friends stared down at me. I squinted and saw Harry lying in the other bed. Ron and Hermione were also there, looking as though they'd just climbed out of a swimming pool.

"Harry! Toni!" said Fred, who looked extremely white underneath the mud. He was standing in between the beds, looking from one of us to the other. "How're you feeling?"

It was as though my memory was on fast forward. The lightning -- the dementors...

"What happened?" Harry said, sitting up so suddenly they all gasped.

"You fell off," Fred told him. "Must've been -- what -- fifty feet?"

"We thought you'd died," one of the Chasers trembled. Hermione made a small, squeaky noise.

"But the match," Harry questioned. "What happened? Are we doing a replay?"

No one said anything. I looked at Ginny, who shook her head quietly.

"We didn't -- lose?" Harry frowned.

"Diggory got the Snitch," George told them. "Just after you fell. He didn't realise what had happened. When he looked back and saw you on the ground, he tried to call it off. Wanted a rematch. But they won fair and square... even Wood admits it."

"Where is Wood?" Harry asked.

"Still in the showers," Fred said. "We think he's trying to drown himself." Harry put his face to his knees, his hands gripping his hair. Fred grabbed his shoulder and shook it roughly. "C'mon, Harry, you've never missed the Snitch before."

"There had to be one time you didn't get it," George tried.

"It's not over yet," said Fred. "We lost by a hundred points"

"Right? So if Hufflepuff loses to Ravenclaw and we beat Ravenclaw andSlytherin --."

"Hufflepuff'll have to lose by at least two hundred points," saidGeorge."But if they beat Ravenclaw..."

"No Way, Ravenclaw is too good. But if Slytherin loses againstHufflepuff..."

"It all depends on the points -- a margin of a hundred either way."

"Oh there are more important things than that," I interrupted.

Harry lay there, not saying a word.

"It was the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life. I mean, you were just there doing all the homework that you didn't really have to do and then you had this look, and you wouldn't respond to any of us. You stood up and started shaking, and then you just fell off the side of the stand. Candace started screaming, and everyone was staring at Harry, and you just so helplessly fell. There was nothing we could do and it was the worst feeling," Nini squeaked.

"Nobody is considering it a victory. Cedric was a wreck when I saw, he blames himself for all of this, he's so worried," Ashley told them.

"It's not his fault. The dementors ... they were powerful," I shook my head.

"What did you feel?" Rebekah asked softly.

"Like something was cutting my insides, and a conversation, it was muffled, and someone was screaming in my head. I think it was Lily," I whispered.

"What makes you think that?" Caridy asked.

"Someone telling the woman to step aside, to let him kill Harry. She refused, and she died. That's how people have told me she's died," I swallowed. Rebekah looked at Caridy with tears in her eyes, and Caridy rubbed her shoulder.

"Alright, all of you out. They need peace and quiet," Madam Pomfrey said.

"We'll come and see you later," Fred told them. "Don't beat yourself up, Harry, you're still the best Seeker we've ever had."

The team trooped out, trailing mud behind them. Madam Pomfrey shut the door behind them, looking disapproving. Ron, Hermione, Kella, Ginny, Matilda and Aubrey were the only ones left. Ron and Hermione moved nearer to Harry's bed.

"Dumbledore was really angry," Hermione said in a quaking voice. "I've never seen him like that before. He ran onto the field as you fell, waved his wand, and you sort of slowed down before you hit the ground. Then he whirled his wand at the dementors. Shot silver stuff at them. They left the stadium right away... He was furious they'd come onto the grounds. We heard him --"

"Then he magicked the two of you onto stretchers," Ron continued. "And walked up to school with you floating on them. Everyone thought you were --"His voice faded. Ron and Hermione lookin, at Harry anxiously.

"Did someone get my Nimbus?" Ron and Hermione looked quickly at each other. "Er --""What?"

"Well... when you fell off, it got blown away," Hermione said hesitantly. "And?" "And it hit -- it hit -- oh, Harry -- it hit the Whomping Willow."

I raised an eyebrow and glanced at them. The Whomping Willow was a very violent tree that stood alone in the middle of the grounds.

"And?" Harry said.

"Well, you know the Whomping Willow," Ron bit his lip. "It -- it doesn't like being hit."

"Professor Flitwick brought it back just before you came around," Hermione said in a very small voice.

Slowly, she reached down for a bag at her feet, turned it upside down, and tipped a dozen bits of splintered wood and twig onto the bed, the only remains of Harry's broomstick. My mouth dropped open and I smothered my giggles. Harry's expression broke me, however, and I died of silent laughter.

Chapter 7 - 🎁🛷🦌🎅🤶🎄Merry Christmas, Jerks 🎄🤶🎅🦌🛷🎁

So Pomfrey decided it was a good idea to force me and Harry to stay in the Hospital Wing for the rest of the weekend. What a load of rubbish that was. I left the second she turned her back.

Unfortunately, on Monday Scar-face returned to the land of freedom, and everyone became all sappy over him, which was complete bogus. Lupin returned to work, and gave me 50 house points for doing everyone's homework.

November passed in a flash. Ravenclaw flattened Hufflepuff in their Quidditch Match, which gave the Gryffindors hope.

It was almost the holidays, and half of my friends were staying at school. We'd gotten close to Bridget and her Slytherin roomies, mostly cause the Vellanis, Whites, Graces, Greenblatts, Wrights, and Adams' have been friends forever, and all of the others were a package deal.

So that meant Ginny and I would be hanging with Marella, Ellarose, Matilda, Nini, Aubrey, Dove, Nora, Della and Luna for the holidays.

On the last weekend of school before the Christmas holidays, there was a Hogsmeade trip for all the third years, fourth years, fifth years, sixth years and seventh years. After protesting our rights to McGonagall, I decided to not admit defeat and take everyone on a field trip to Hogsmeade myself.

So that weekend, before the third-years and older went, Caridy, Rebekah, Charlotte, Nini, Candace, Ginny, Kella, Aubrey, Matilda, Dove, Remus, Nevaeh and I journeyed through the secret passage to Honeydukes.

From their, we split up, mini Aubrey, mini C&R and Nevaeh went off merlin knows where, Caridy, Rebekah and Charlotte vanished, Nini, Candace, Kella and Matilda all went to see the Shrieking Shack, Ginny and Aubrey invited me to come with them to the Three Broomsticks, but I declined, instead looking around Honeydukes before all of the older kids came and bought everything.

I purchased a few sugar quills and chocolate frogs, before darting into the Three Broomsticks. Ginny and Aubrey were nowhere to be seen, so I settled into a corner booth.

Barely ten minutes passed before the older kids shuffled in and the pub began to fill up. I sipped my butterbeer and watched as Ron, Hermione and Harry walked in. Hermione and Harry made their way to a table a few feet away from mine while Ron got drinks. The trio clearly hadn't noticed me, and I ignored them.

Until the teachers came in.

Professors McGonagall and Flitwick, Hagrid and Fudge walked into the pub. Ron and Hermione shoved Harry under the table, and I grinned as the group sat in between me and the trio. The Christmas tree suddenly moved to block the three from sight, and I laughed silently.

Madam Rosmerta made her way over, clicking her sparkly turquoise heels and carrying a tray of drinks. "A small gillywater --"

"Mine," McGonagall said, taking the drink.

"Four pints of mulled mead --"

"Ta, Rosmerta," Hagrid smiled.

"A cherry syrup and soda with ice and umbrella --"

"Mmm!" Flitwick smacked his lips.

"So you'll be the red currant rum, Minister."

"Thank you, Rosmerta, m'dear," Fudge told the woman. "Lovely to see you again, I must say. Have one yourself, won't you? Come and join us...."

"Well, thank you very much, Minister," Rosmerta fetched herself a drink from the bar and returned, sinking into the chair next to McGonagall. "So, what brings you to this neck of the woods, Minister?"

Fudge's body twisted and I quickly used my magic to cast an illusion over where I was sitting. "What else, m'dear, but Sirius Black? I daresay you heard what happened up at the school at Halloween?" Fudge said in a quiet voice.

"I did hear a rumour," Rosmerta admitted.

"Did you tell the whole pub, Hagrid?" McGonagall sighed exasperatedly.

"Do you think Blacks still in the area, Minister?" Rosmerta whispered.

At that moment, the door opened and I spotted Nevaeh, Dove and Remus walk in. I got rid of the illusion spell and waved them over, placing an illusion over the lot of us. They sat down and I pointed at the teachers.

"I'm sure of it," Fudge said shortly.

"You know that the dementors have searched the whole village twice?" Rosmerta frowned, a slight edge to her voice. "Scared all my customers away... It's very bad for business, Minister."

"Rosmerta, dear, I don't like them any more than you do," Fudge shifted uncomfortably. "Necessary precaution... unfortunate, but there you are.... I've just met some of them. They're in a fury against Dumbledore -- he won't let them inside the castle grounds."

"I should think not," McGonagall said sharply. "How are we supposed to teach with those horrors floating around?"

"Hear, hear!" Flitwick squeaked.

"All the same," demurred Fudge, "they are here to protect you all from something much worse.... We all know what Black's capable of..."

"Do you know, I still have trouble believing it," Rosmerta clicked her tongue thoughtfully. "Of all the people to go over to the Dark Side, Sirius Black was the last I'd have thought... I mean, I remember him when he was a boy at Hogwarts. If you'd told me then what he was going to become, I'd have said you'd had too much mead."

"You don't know the half of it, Rosmerta," said Fudge gruffly. "The worst he did isn't widely known."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Remus clench his fist. Nevaeh put a hand over his and he settled down. I frowned, confused.

"The worst?" Rosmerta's voice was alive with curiosity, "Worse than murdering all those poor people, you mean?"

"I certainly do," Fudge nodded.

"I can't believe that. What could possibly be worse?" Rosmerta raised an eyebrow.

"You say you remember him at Hogwarts, Rosmerta," McGonagall murmured. "Do you remember who his best friend was?"

"Naturally," Rosmerta laughed. "Never saw one without the other, did you? The number of times I had them in here -- ooh, they used to make me laugh. Quite the double act, Sirius Black and James Potter!"

There was a loud noise, like a tankard being dropped. The teachers glanced towards the tree, then turned back to the table. "Precisely," McGonagall continued. "Black and Potter. Ringleaders of their little gang. Both very bright, of course -- exceptionally bright, in fact -- but I don't think we've ever had such a pair of troublemakers --"

"I dunno," Hagrid chuckled. "Fred and George Weasley could give 'em a run fer their money. And with the mood Peyton's been in recently, she'll give it a shot." I smiled to myself.

"You'd have thought Black and Potter were brothers!" Flitwick chimed in. "Inseparable!"

Nevaeh bit her lip and leaned against Remus. Dove rubbed the girl's hand and smiled at her.

"Of course they were," Fudge agreed. "Potter trusted Black beyond all his other friends. Nothing changed when they left school. Black was best man when James married Lily. Then they named him godfather to Harry. Harry has no idea, of course. You can imagine how the idea would torment him."

"Because Black turned out to be in league with You-Know-Who?" Rosmerta whispered.

"Worse even than that, Rosmerta dear...." Fudge dropped his voice and proceeded in a sort of low rumble. "Not many people are aware that the Potters knew You-Know-Who was after them. Dumbledore, who was of course working tirelessly against You-Know-Who, had a number of useful spies. One of them tipped him off, and he alerted James and Lily at once. He advised them to go into hiding. Well, of course, You-Know-Who wasn't an easy person to hide from. Dumbledore told them that their best chance was the Fidelius Charm."

"How does that work?" Rosmerta said, breathless with interest.

Flitwick cleared his throat. "An immensely complex spell," he said squeakily, "involving the magical concealment of a secret inside a single, living soul. The information is hidden inside the chosen person, or Secret-Keeper, and is henceforth impossible to find -- unless, of course, the Secret-Keeper chooses to divulge it. As long as the Secret-Keeper refused to speak, You-Know-Who could search the village where Lily and James were staying for years and never find them, not even if he had his nose pressed against their sitting room window!"

"So Black was the Potters' Secret-Keeper?" Rosmerta whispered. I shook my head but Dove kicked me in the shins.

"Naturally," McGonagall confirmed. "James Potter told Dumbledore that Black would die rather than tell where they were, that Black was planning to go into hiding himself... and yet, Dumbledore remained worried. I remember him offering to be the Potters' Secret-Keeper himself."

"He suspected Black?" Rosmerta gasped.

"He was sure that somebody close to the Potters had been keeping You-Know-Who informed of their movements," McGonagall said darkly. "Indeed, he had suspected for some time that someone on our side had turned traitor and was passing a lot of information to You-Know-Who."

"But James Potter insisted on using Black?"

"He did," Fudge said heavily. "And then, barely a week after the Fidelius Charm had been performed --"

"Black betrayed them?" Rosmerta breathed.

"He did indeed," Fudge nodded. "Black was tired of his double-agent role, he was ready to declare his support openly for You-Know-Who, and he seems to have planned this for the moment of the Potters' death. But, as we all know, You-Know-Who met his downfall in little Harry Potter. Powers gone, horribly weakened, he fled. And this left Black in a very nasty position indeed. His master had fallen at the very moment when he, Black, had shown his true colours as a traitor. He had no choice but to run for it --"

"Filthy, stinkin' turncoat!" Hagrid said, so loudly that half the bar went quiet. The bottle in Remus' hand shattered and I tilted my head. Why was he so emotional about this? More than Dove or Rosmerta?

"Shh!" McGonagall glanced around nervously.

"I met him!" Hagrid growled. "I musta bin the last ter see him before he killed all them people! It was me what rescued Harry from Lily an' James's house after they was killed! jus' got him outta the ruins, poor little thing, with a great slash across his forehead, an' his parents dead... an' Sirius Black turns up, on that flyin' motorbike he used ter ride. Never occurred ter me what he was doin' there. I didn' know he'd bin Lily an' James's Secret-Keeper. Thought he'd jus' heard the news o' You-Know-Who's attack an' come ter see what he could do. White an' shakin', he was. An' yeh know what I did? I COMFORTED THE MURDERIN' TRAITOR!" Hagrid roared.

"Hagrid, please!" McGonagall shushed him. "Keep your voice down!"

"How was I ter know he wasn' upset abou' Lily an' James? It was You-Know-Who he cared abou'! An' then he says, 'Give Harry ter me, Hagrid, I'm his godfather, I'll look after him --' Ha! But I'd had me orders from Dumbledore, an' I told Black no, Dumbledore said Harry was ter go ter his aunt an' uncle's. Black argued, but in the end he gave in. Told me ter take his motorbike ter get Harry there. 'I won't need it anymore,' he says. "I shoulda known there was somethin' fishy goin' on then. He loved that motorbike, what was he givin' it ter me for? Why wouldn' he need it anymore? Fact was, it was too easy ter trace. Dumbledore knew he'd bin the Potters' Secret-Keeper. Black knew he was goin' ter have ter run fer it that night, knew it was a matter o' hours before the Ministry was after him. "But what if I'd given Harry to him, eh? I bet he'd 've pitched him off the bike halfway out ter sea. His bes' friends' son! But when a wizard goes over ter the Dark Side, there's nothin' and no one that matters to em anymore...." A long silence followed Hagrid's story.

I closed my eyes and breathed shakily. They didn't know anything. They believed the dumb lies. "Go," I whispered to the first years, who walked out slowly. I dropped the illusion and watched the teachers.

"But he didn't manage to disappear, did he? The Ministry of Magic caught up with him next day!" Rosmerta said with satisfaction in her voice.

"Alas, if only we had," Fudge said bitterly. "It was not we who found him. It was little Peter Pettigrew -- another of the Potters' friends. Maddened by grief, no doubt, and knowing that Black had been the Potters' Secret-Keeper, he went after Black himself."

Lies. Lies. Lies. Lies.

"Pettigrew... that fat little boy who was always tagging around after them at Hogwarts?" Rosmerta checked.

"Hero-worshipped Black and Potter," McGonagall sighed. "Never quite in their league, talent-wise. I was often rather sharp with him. You can imagine how I -how I regret that now..." She sounded as though she had a sudden head cold.

"There, now, Minerva," Fudge said kindly, "Pettigrew died a hero's death. Eyewitnesses -- Muggles, of course, we wiped their, memories later -- told us how Pettigrew cornered Black. They say he was sobbing, 'Lily and James, Sirius! How could you?' And then he went for his wand. Well, of course, Black was quicker. Blew Pettigrew to smithereens...."

McGonagall blew her nose and said thickly, "Stupid boy ... foolish boy... he was always hopeless at duelling... should have left it to the Ministry...."

"I tell yeh, if I'd got ter Black before little Pettigrew did, I wouldn't 've messed around with wands -- I'd 've ripped him limb -- from -- limb," Hagrid growled.

"You don't know what you're talking about, Hagrid," Fudge said sharply. "Nobody but trained Hit Wizards from the Magical Law Enforcement Squad would have stood a chance against Black once he was cornered. I was Junior Minister in the Department of Magical Catastrophes at the time, and I was one of the first on the scene after Black murdered all those people. I -- I will never forget it. I still dream about it sometimes. A crater in the middle of the street, so deep it had cracked the sewer below. Bodies everywhere. Muggles screaming. And Black standing there laughing, with what was left of Pettigrew in front of him... a heap of bloodstained robes and a few -- a few fragments --" Fudge's voice stopped abruptly. The five teachers blew their nose. "Well, there you have it, Rosmerta," Fudge said thickly. "Black was taken away by twenty members of the Magical Law Enforcement 'Squad and Pettigrew received the Order of Merlin, First Class, which I think was some comfort to his poor mother. Black's been in Azkaban ever since."

Madam Rosmerta let out a long sigh. "Is it true he's mad, Minister?"

"I wish I could say that he was," Fudge said slowly. "I certainly believe his master's defeat unhinged him for a while. The murder of Pettigrew and all those Muggles was the action of a cornered and desperate man -- cruel... pointless. Yet I met Black on my last inspection of Azkaban. You know, most of the prisoners in there sit muttering to themselves in the dark; there's no sense in them... but I was shocked at how normal Black seemed. He spoke quite rationally to me. It was unnerving. You'd have thought he was merely bored -- asked if I'd finished with my newspaper, cool as you please, said he missed doing the crossword. Yes, I was astounded at how little effect the dementors seemed to be having on him -- and he was one of the most heavily guarded in the place, you know. Dementors outside his door day and night."

"But what do you think he's broken out to do?" Rosmerta asked.

"Good gracious, Minister, he isn't trying to rejoin You-Know-Who, is he?" I daresay that is his -- er -- eventual plan," Fudge said evasively. "But we hope to catch Black long before that. I must say, You-Know-Who alone and friendless is one thing... but give him back his most devoted servant, and I shudder to think how quickly he'll rise again...."

I chuckled, and all five heads swivelled to look at me. "Miss Potter, what are you doing here?" McGonagall asked.

"Drinking butterbeer," I told her.

"You are a second year, Miss Potter," McGonagall sighed. "You aren't allowed in Hogsmeade."

"That's why I came through the secret passage," I rolled my eyes and took a sip of butterbeer.

"There's a secret passage from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade?" Fudge gaped.

"Two actually. McGonagall knows all about the other one don't you Minnie? Was used a lot in the '70s," I smirked at McGonagall, who eyed Fudge. "Anyway, you lot are insanely gullible."

"Why are we gullible?" Rosmerta asked. I leaned forward.

"Well you said it yourself, Fudge. Muggle memories can be altered. Who's to say someone didn't change their memories?" I folded my arms. "Also, wouldn't it be really obvious if the person James had picked for his number one for like, ever, was his secret keeper? That would be a good cover story for the real secret keeper."

"So you think that it wasn't Sirius Black that betrayed your parents?" McGonagall said.

"Well Sirius told me it wasn't him. Back in September before school started. When he wasn't trying to kill me," I grinned.

"You spoke to Black?" Fudge gaped.

"Yeah. Besides, I already knew it wasn't him. Lily Potter kept extensive diaries," I placed my empty bottle on the table.

"So you've since September that it wasn't Black and didn't say anything?" Flitwick frowned.

"Well I doubted Ron would believe me as easily as Ginny, and he's the only one who needs to believe it," I sighed.

"Why Ron?" Rosmerta asked.

"Because he's the one who has the real secret keeper," I smirked at the teachers before walking out. Everyone was standing together and I ran over. "Let's go," I said, casting an illusion charm over us.

CHAPTER 8

ZOOM ZOOM BROOM ⚡⚡🧹

That night, I could tell Harry was troubled. Ron and Hermione were staring at him all through dinner, not daring to speak with Percy hovering. Fred and George were in high spirits, setting off half a dozen dungbombs in the common room in celebration of the end of term.

Harry retreated upstairs almost straight away. "Go talk to him," Caridy told me.

"Why would I do that?" I asked.

"Remus and Nevaeh told me what happened. He needs his sister. He needs you, Peyton," Caridy said. After a moment, she added, "40 galleons."

"50 and you have to come," I grabbed Caridy's hand and walked upstairs.

Harry was sitting on his bed, staring at an old picture album. "Hey Harry," Caridy smiled, walking in. We sat down next to him and stared at the photo. It was Lily and James' wedding.

"You knew, didn't you? Mum wrote about it in her diary, didn't she?" Harry looked at me. I nodded. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you didn't need to know. You'd get angry and become obsessed with killing him, and I really couldn't be bothered with Revenge Harry," I rolled my eyes, then stared at my hands. "But he was dad's best friend and it was easier for you to just be scared of Voldemort's Death Eater than the person responsible for ... this."

Harry bit his lip. "Back in the bar, Ron and Hermione overheard --"

"Nice try Harry, I knew you were there," I laughed. "There's more to the story than you know, and you're not ready. Besides, Sirius asked me not to tell anyone else."

"Else? Who knows?"

"Just a few people. And they're trustworthy, okay? You trust Caridy, right?" I reassured him.

Harry looked away. "I don't really trust you, Peyton. Or your judgement," he said sourly.

Fair enough.

I stood up and smiled at the boy. "I'll leave you to your mellowing in self-hatred," I said, walking out.

The next morning, everyone was gone. Only four of my Gryffindor friends had stayed, so I woke to Ginny, Kella, Charlotte and Candace chatting loudly about Hogsmeade. Kella and Candace's parents were off on some Ministry mission and Charlotte's mum was training for a game. Bonnie Wright was a well known Chaser on the Holyhead Harpies.

Snow was pilling like laundry, but the five of us still had fun enchanting snowballs for a fight. Nora, Freya and Della, three of Bridget's Slytherin friends even ran out to join us, followed by Luna, Charlotte's sister Savannah and the Vellani twins Ashley and MJ. Eventually, it erupted into war that Percy had to disrupt, much to our annoyance.

We were the only ones in our year who had stayed behind for Christmas, so all of the other girls decided to join forces and bring the Christmas war down on us for some bizarre reason. So for the next five days the castle was tormented by at least five of us at war while the rest were off planning something else horrific.

But Christmas day was a temporary truce. Charlotte and Candace broke into our dorm singing Christmas carols at three in the morning, and after sending half a dozen angry jinxes at the duo, we settled in to open presents.

All five of us received handmade sweaters from Mum, Ginny with a purple sweater, Charlotte with violet, Kella with dark forest green, Candace with grass green and me with scarlet red. Charlotte's mum sent us all crystal necklaces, Charlotte a violet one, Ginny with purple, Kella with dark forest green, Candace with grass green and me with scarlet red, which was kind of creepy.

We all got mostly food and other various items, and spent the next hour eating and goofing around with the Zonkos products Fred and George had given me.

"Hey what's that?" Charlotte asked, pointing at something by Matilda's bed.

"Oh that's Maddie's radio thing," Kella answered.

"What?" Candace asked.

"Some muggle thing that plays music," Ginny shrugged. Charlotte snatched it and pressed a button. Be my Baby by the Ronettes began playing.

"Wasn't this song published in the sixties?" I frowned.

Charlotte threw an empty chocolate frog box at my head. "Shut up."

The morning turned into trying to sing the loudest competition. It got to the point where Percy sent us a Howler telling us to shut up at five a.m. when we were screaming Achy Breaky Heart because he couldn't go into the girls dormitories.

"Hey what's that?" Kella pulled a long package out from where it was half wedged under my bed.

"A back massager," I told her sarcastically.

"Really?"

"No, dumbass, it's obviously a broomstick," I peeled the paper off it and grinned. "Firebolt. Wicked."

"Who would spend that much money on you? These are crazy expensive," Candace's eyes were locked on the broom.

"Rude," I dug a card out of the wrapping. "It can't replace the birthdays and Christmases I missed, but I hope it can make a start. Your Uncle Padfoot."

"Who's Padfoot?" Charlotte asked.

"Sirius," I grinned.

At lunch, we joined the others, who were more than happy to gossip about their presents. Bonnie Wright and Mum had sent the gifts to all the other girls, including the Slytherins, who were quite shocked by the gesture from Mum, as Slytherins were typically not friends with the Weasleys. Wrights and Bridget's family had been friends since they were eleven, so it wasn't a shock for a gift from them, but Molly Weasley was surprising.

There were only six other students in the entire school, two nervous first years, a sullen sixth year, and the Golden Trio of Doom. There were two tables set up, so we stole an entire table and let the other kids hang with the teachers (such an honour).

"Merry Christmas!" Dumbledore said as we approached the tables. "As there are so few of us, it seemed foolish to use the House tables. . . Sit down, sit down!"

"Crackers!" Dumbledore exclaimed enthusiastically, offering the end of a large silver noisemaker to Snape, who took it reluctantly and tugged. With a bang like a gunshot, the cracker flew apart to reveal a large, pointed witches hat topped with a stuffed vulture.

Everyone on our table grinned, even the Slytherins, who took a sip from their goblets to hide smiles; Snape's mouth thinned and he pushed the hat toward Dumbledore, who swapped it for his wizard's hat at once.

"Dig in!" he advised the table, beaming around.

As we helped ourselves, the doors of the Great Hall opened again. It was Professor Trelawney, the Divination teacher, gliding toward them as though on wheels. She had put on a green sequined dress in honour of the occasion, making her look more than ever like a glittering, oversized dragonfly.

"Sybill, this is a pleasant surprise!" Dumbledore smiled, standing up.

I turned to look at McGonagall, who looked annoyed at Trelawney's arrival. "Oh this is going to be entertaining," I whispered to Freya, who followed my eyes and grinned.

"I have been crystal gazing, Headmaster," Trelawney drawled in her mistiest, most faraway voice, "and to my astonishment, I saw myself abandoning my solitary luncheon and coming to join you. Who am I to refuse the promptings of fate? I at once hastened from my tower, and I do beg you to forgive my lateness. . . "

"Certainly, certainly," Dumbledore's eye twinkled. "Let me draw you up a chair --"

And he did indeed draw a chair in midair with his wand, which revolved for a few seconds before falling with a thud between Snape and McGonagall. Trelawney, however, did not sit down; her enormous eyes had been roving around the table, and she suddenly uttered a kind of soft scream.

"I dare not, Headmaster! If I join either table, we shall be thirteen! Nothing could be more unlucky! Never forget that when thirteen dine together, the first to rise will be the first to die!"

"Look at McGonagall's face," Ashley whispered, giggling. Our entire table was laughing silently.

"We'll risk it, Sybill," McGonagall huffed impatiently. "Do sit down, the turkey's getting stone cold. "

Trelawney hesitated, then lowered herself into the empty chair, eyes shut and mouth clenched tight, as though expecting a thunderbolt to hit the table. McGonagall poked a large spoon into the nearest tureen.

"Tripe, Sybill?"

Trelawney ignored her. Eyes open again, she looked around once more and said, "But where is dear Professor Lupin?"

"I'm afraid the poor fellow is ill again," Dumbledore informed her, indicating that everybody should start serving themselves. "Most unfortunate that it should happen on Christmas Day. "

I locked eyes with Ginny, who glanced at Kella, who in turn bit loudly into her pork.

"But surely you already knew that, Sybill?" McGonagall taunted, her eyebrows raised.

Trelawney gave McGonagall a very cold look.

"Certainly I knew, Minerva," she said quietly. "But one does not parade the fact that one is All-Knowing. I frequently act as though I am not possessed of the Inner Eye, so as not to make others nervous. "

"That explains a great deal," McGonagall said tartly.

Trelawney's voice suddenly became a good deal less misty.

"If you must know, Minerva, I have seen that poor Professor Lupin will not be with us for very long. He seems aware, himself, that his time is short. He positively fled when I offered to crystal gaze for him --"

"Imagine that," McGonagall said dryly.

"I doubt," Dumbledore interrupted, in a cheerful but slightly raised voice, which put an end to McGonagall and Trelawney's conversation, "that Professor Lupin is in any immediate danger. Severus, you've made the potion for him again?"

"Yes, Headmaster," Snape said in a slightly less bored voice than usual, clearly loving the beef between McGonagall and Trelawney.

"Good," Dumbledore said, satisfied. "Then he should be up and about in no time. . . Derek, have you had any of the chipolatas? They're excellent. "

The first-year boy went furiously red on being addressed directly by Dumbledore, and took the platter of sausages with trembling hands.

Trelawney behaved almost normally until the very end of Christmas dinner, two hours later, when Harry and Ron got up first from the table and she shrieked loudly.

"My dears! Which of you left his seat first? Which?"

"Dunno," Ron shrugged, looking uneasily at Harry.

"I doubt it will make much difference," McGonagall said coldly, "unless a mad axe-man is waiting outside the doors to slaughter the first into the Entrance Hall. "

Everyone burst out laughing, while Trelawney looked highly affronted. "Slay Minnie!" I whistled, causing the woman to roll her eyes.

Harry and Ron left while Hermione and McGonagall went to whisper in the corner before leaving. "Frey! Frey drama!" I smacked Freya on the arm and walked politely out of the Great Hall before racing to watch the drama.

Turns out I wasn't the only one who got a broom. Harry got a Firebolt as well, but that was what Hermione was tattling to McGonagall about and it got confiscated. Freya and I had watched the carnage from the doorway before hiding when McGonagall came out.

"So Sirius Black is trying to kill you and Harry? And Hermione and McGonagall think that he sent Harry a cursed Firebolt for Christmas to try and kill him?" Freya checked as we sat on the staircases - well she sat while I lay upside-down like half the stairs.

"That is what they think. But it wasn't actually him," I replied.

"And you got a Firebolt also? He's wanted everywhere, he can't just wander into a store and buy a broom?!" Freya frowned. "Why don't you go riding on it to prove a point?"

"You think I would do something nice to bring my brother joy?" I scoffed.

"Why do you hate him?" Freya asked.

I sighed and sat up. "My whole life I thought I was Peyton Weasley, the orphaned adoptive daughter of Arthur and Molly Weasley. Turned out I was the sister of the most famous person in the world. When we found out, he didn't try to get to know me, he just stayed who he was before, the brother's best friend. On the first occasion he acted like we were related, he just tried to parent me, pretend we were actual family and he was the older brother. He'd had all the chances, and didn't even try to make contact until I did something he didn't like. So I told him that he wasn't my brother and I told him to leave me alone. I tried to ignore him but everywhere I went it was just all about him. The chamber, the heir, the gossip, everything was all about Harry. It was hard to ignore him, and so much easier to hate him. So I did."

Freya nodded. "That is understandable. I would've been the same way with my brother," she smiled.

I sat up. "You have a brother?"

Freya nodded. "I'm a twin. I had a brother. His name was Pietro."

I saw the pain in her eyes. "He was killed by Death Eaters, wasn't he?"

Freya nodded again. "When we were babies, there was a massacre. I was at my aunt's best friend Mary's house and my entire family was killed. My brother was there, along with my father and mother. I ended up living with my mother's cousin Niklaus' because he claimed ownership and custody. I barely get to see Mary. Niklaus is from a pureblood supremacy household. Mary is a muggleborn. Therefore she is not worthy of any ounce of my attention. At least, that's what Niklaus tried to drill into my head. He was disgusted when he found out my father was a halfblood, and insisted I go by my mother's surname, Lockwood. The McKinnon Legacy is gone," she sighed sadly.

"McKinnon? As in Marlene?" I frowned.

"My aunt. Your godmother. She was fighting against Voldemort. I always looked up to her. Mary told me stories and I always just wanted to be exactly the person she was. I guess that's why I ended up in Slytherin. Ambition is one of our leading traits," Freya laughed softly.

"Sometimes I think they sort too soon. This place, these people, are not always appreciative of people. The sorting's, the friends you make, your house impacts who you become. The way people look at you. If Voldemort had been a Gryffindor I think things would've turned out very differently," I bit my lip before sitting up. "Did ... Mary say anything about my parents?"

Freya looked at me, tears in her eyes slightly. "She always said that her friends were the bravest people ever and she was honoured to know them. She said that James was an incredible chaser, and was loyal, and was always there when his friends needed them. Remus was a genius and was the go-to person for anything. Peter was reliable, and trustworthy. Lily was organised, sensible, smart and sweet. She could be incredibly stubborn, though. My aunt was sensible and relatable and always there. Siri- another friend of hers was creative and spontaneous and rebellious. Iman was goofy and sarcastic and fun. Ariana - well no-one wanted to mess with her, that's for sure. She was -and I quote - a bad bitch. She bet the crap out of Siri- another friend because he insulted her best friend. Remus was her best friend, and she was fiercely loyal and overprotective. Bonnie was wicked good on a broom, sarcastic and a generous person. McKenna was kind, and sweet and other synonyms of that. She was always joking and laughing. Sadie was funny and open and never let anyone down," her words hitched as she described them. Her voice lurched on Sirius' name, and I swallowed.

"I know. I know that Sirius was my dad's best friend. And I know what he - what he did," my voice shook.

Freya nodded. "I figured. You always seem to know more than everyone else," she smiled.

I laughed. "I do, don't I? If you'd like, I could copy one of her diaries from school for you to read," I offered.

Freya gaped. "You'd do that?"

I nodded. "You deserve a piece of your life. I would be honoured to be the person to give it to you," I grinned. "Marlene is in you. I see it from Lily's writing, and I see in you everyday."

Freya hugged me. "Thank you, Peyton."

A/N - I'll give a shoutout to anyone who can guess the HUGE plot twist about Peyton's friends. I have this planned out so extensively and will be dropping hints throughout the entirety of Section 1, but it will make COMPLETE sense in Section 3. (Hint, it doesn't include the main 5 at this point in time (main 5 = Peyton, Ginny, Kella, Aubrey, Matilda))