Home is where the heart is

Disclaimer: Anything you recognise in this story belongs to the esteemed JK Rowling ^_^

On Monday morning, Danielle slept in. Which meant that she literally had to tumble out of bed, throw on her wrinkled robes and sprint to the DADA classroom. The whole class looked up from their chatting positions around the room and stared at her as she burst in through the doorway. Danielle's hair wasn't brushed and stuck up in every direction, there were bags under her eyes and she was clutching a pile of books that looked ready to fly out of her hands at any moment.

"Right, everyone. Back to your seats and let's get started," she ordered, dumping her books on the front desk. The students moved back to their places, still staring at their professor in bewilderment. The Slytherins were smirking at the frazzled sight of her, and the Gryffindors honestly didn't know what to think.

"Is she sick?" Dean whispered to Ron. He shrugged.

Harry blinked. Professor Rivendale didn't look like the type to be so unorganised.

Professor Rivendale gazed around the room and tucked the hair out of her eyes. "Okay. Today we're starting on blinding curses. Turn to chapter two and read through it, then complete the exercises underneath." She sat down in her chair and began to collect herself, and her wits.

That is the last time I stay up after three in the morning, she thought grumpily. This brooding thing is leaving me a wreck! I'll bet that there'll be a million rumours around the school by lunch about how the DADA professor looks like an old hag with mental problems...

Despite her weariness, Danielle couldn't help but grin at that last thought. Noticing that the students were working in something close to nervous silence, Danielle inwardly berated herself for acting so abrupt, and cleared her throat. The class looked up from their workbooks.

"You can talk among yourselves, if you like. I'm not one to demand total silence. Just don't start to yell madly, alright?" she told them, before turning back to her stack of papers. Gradually, there was a rumble around the classroom as everyone began to talk as they worked.

"How good is this? I can't believe how easy-going she is!" Ron said in an undertone to Harry. "Can you imagine McGonnagall giving us free talking time in class?"

Picturing the stern Professor McGonnagall, Harry just couldn't imagine it.

The rest of the lesson passed pleasantly, and Harry was amazed that the Slytherins didn't hurl one nasty comment towards the Gryffindors, despite that they were all sitting in the same room. Malfoy was too busy talking to Blaise about all the hexes he knew to bother Harry. The bell rang, and everyone began to file out, chatting to one another. Professor Rivendale smiled at Harry as he passed with Ron and Hermione. "Eventful first weekend, huh?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah, you could say that," Harry admitted. Before he could follow Ron and Hermione out the door, however, she called out after him. "I know where 'Snuffles' is staying. If you meet me in the entrance hall when the lunch bell rings, I'll take you up to see him."

Harry stood in the doorway, stunned. Danielle winked at him. Shaking his head, Harry left and had to jog to catch up with Ron. "What was that about?" Hermione asked.

"She.....she knows. About 'Snuffles'."

"What?!"

"I think Dumbledore told her. She said she's going to take me to him at lunch," Harry informed them, as they walked down the steps to the grounds. It was a nice sunny day, and shielding his eyes from the sun, Harry saw a large, familiar figure moving outside Hagrid's hut.

"HAGRID!" Harry, Ron and Hermione yelled at the same time, before dashing across the grounds. Hagrid turned around and was immediately pounced on by three excited teenagers.

"Hagrid, you're back! How was the........erm.....trip?" Harry asked, grinning up at the enormous man. Hagrid beamed down at him through his wild and bushy beard.

"Pretty good, Harry. I'd be right sayin' that yeh know all abou' it?" he chuckled. "More like a holiday than a job, mind yeh. Dumbledore's a smart man, mark my words."

"When did you get back, exactly?" Hermione questioned.

"About three in the morning. Bit' tired, meself, but I'll be off to bed early tonight."

"It's great to see you again, Hagrid. So......um.........what are we studying this year? Nothing too.....deadly, right?" Ron asked hesitatingly, glancing around. There wasn't an animal in sight, magical or normal. "Nothing that.....stings, bites, or burns?"

Hagrid smiled down at him mysteriously. "Ah, you'll see soon enough. Now where's the rest of yeh class, I'd like to know."

As he said this, a crowd of students appeared out of the entrance hall and made their way towards Hagrid's hut. The Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors were mingled together, chatting and looking apprehensively at Hagrid as they arrived. "So where's the dragon?" Seamus asked jokingly, staring around the grounds curiously. "Or maybe a manticore?"

Hagrid waited until everyone was present, before beginning. "Right. Well, no doubt you've all been wondering what creatures I've got yeh........" The class looked nervous - some of the Hufflepuffs looked ready to dash for cover. Harry and Ron exchanged side-glances - what did Hagrid have in store for them this year? Hermione was the only one to look slightly excited.

"Now, I didn't get to choose what yeh get to study this year - the school board does. So, you'll be lookin' after some fairly tame creatures," Hagrid said, sounding a bit disappointed. "Now, can anyone tell me what these are?"

Hagrid disappeared behind his hut for a moment, before coming back into sight, dragging along two large crates. Instinctively, the whole class drew back slightly. Harry was strongly reminded of the Blast-ended screwts from the year before. Ron was pale.

"You don't think.......?" he trailed off, looking horrified.

Hagrid pried off the lids and reached a hand in, pulling out a chattering, angry ferret that was squirming to escape Hagrid's firm hold. The whole class stared. Hermione gasped and looked delighted. "Jarveys! We're looking after jarveys!" she squealed. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown looked similarly ecstatic.

"Ooh, aren't they cuuute?" was the general response from the girls.

Ron looked pretty happy himself. "Finally! Something that doesn't sting, burn or suck blood!" he muttered to Harry, who was feeling immensely relieved. Hagrid held the ferret-like creature in one of his palms, making it look tinier than it really was.

"Jarveys. Interestin' little fellows, excellent for chasin' off garden gnomes," Hagrid told the class. "You'll be lookin' after these for the year, besides other creatures we'll be studying. They count for fifty percent of your end-of-year mark."

Hagrid stroked the jarvey gently, trying to calm it down. It was actually larger than a normal ferret, Harry noticed. Its eyes were bright and intelligent, and it was sniffing the air suspiciously. "You should know that jarveys have a habit of insultin' everyone, so don't get offended if yours starts to call you a yellow-bellied sea slug," Hagrid said, his eyes twinkling. "Now, it's time for yeh to choose your jarvey. Line up in single file and pick one outta the crate."

The class quickly lined up and began to pick out their personal jarvey. When Ron reached the crate, he peered in and pulled a face. "Which one should I pick?" he asked Hagrid.

Hagrid shrugged. "That's up to you," he told Ron cheerfully.

Ron sighed, closed his eyes, and reached in to grab a random jarvey. He then let out a yelp. "OUCH! It bit me!" Hermione tutted from where she was standing behind him.

"Honestly Ron, you don't stick your hand into a crate of magical animals with your eyes shut! Of course you're going to get bitten!" Ron glared at her and then glared down at the crate.

The jarvey that bit him glared right back.

It was dark brown with light brown spots. When Ron tried to pick up the jarvey next to it, the other jarvey latched itself onto Ron's arm and refused to let go. "Hey! Get off me!" Ron yelled, attempting to shake the ferret-like creature off.

Hagrid was grinning broadly. "I'd say she's taken a liking to yeh, Ron."

Ron looked at him incredulously. "Liking?! Hagrid, it's trying to maul me!"

The good-matured gamekeeper looked at him blankly. "Same thing, ain't it?"

Ron goggled at him. Hermione giggled. Harry raised an eyebrow. "I reckon you'd better keep it, Ron. You're holding up everyone, and I don't think that jarvey is going to let go of your arm anytime soon......"

The redheaded boy muttered some undecipherable phrases under his breath, but moved out of the way, the jarvey still clinging to his robes and chattering away like a pet monkey. It was Hermione's turn next, and she carefully inspected the jarveys in the crate. "Um, Hagrid - how do you know if it's male or female?" she asked him.

Hagrid scratched his head. "Er......you'd have to look at its underside to be sure. But they're like cats, and most females have spots."

Hermione stared back down into the crate, and then cautiously reached out for a quivering, plain black jarvey. "I like this one," she announced. "He hasn't got any spots either, so I guess it's male." She picked him up and cradled him in her arms.

Hagrid looked a bit doubtful. "Hermione, I should warn yeh - that jarvey's been sick for a while. I would have put him aside, but he didn't want to leave his friends."

Hermione's face was set. "I don't care. I'll nurse him until he's better then," she said stubbornly, like a true Gryffindor. She looked down at the small, quivering ball and smiled tenderly. Ron and Harry just looked on, surprised at the softer side of Hermione.

"Must be those maternal instincts or something," Ron whispered to Harry.

The expression on Hagrid's face was unreadable for a moment, before he smiled kindly. "All right, then. It's not easy to fix up a sick jarvey, but you sound eager enough. You'll need to spend plenty of time with 'im, though." Hermione nodded and went over to join Ron, who was still trying to remove the irritable jarvey from his arm.

Harry was next, and he looked down into the crate. There were about eight jarveys left, all squeaking and chattering away. Suddenly, one particular jarvey caught his eye. It was chestnut in colour, with tiny, scattered, cream spots. It looked up at him, and Harry stared at it. For some reason, he almost felt as though the jarvey was imploring for him to choose it.

Shaking his head, Harry reached in and picked it up. The jarvey grabbed hold of Harry's robes, much in the same way that Ron's had, and gazed up at him adoringly. Hagrid looked impressed. "I think that one likes yeh, Harry," he said in surprise. "I didn't think jarveys even liked humans."

Harry couldn't help but smile at the ferret-creature that was clinging to the front of his robes. It was kinda cute.......at least, until it bit his hand. "Ow!" Harry exclaimed. "It bit me!" The jarvey looked up at him innocently, as if nothing had happened.

Hagrid nodded wisely. "Ah. Well, that's their way of showing affection, Harry."

"They.....bite......to show affection......" Sighing, Harry carried his new 'pet' over to Ron and Hermione. Ron had managed to get his jarvey to let go of him, and now it was attempting to attack his shoe.

"I had to get a jarvey who hates me so much it wants to live with me!" Ron moaned.

Hermione was stroking her jarvey, which wasn't even struggling in her grasp. "I think I chose a well-behaved one," Hermione commented. "This little guy hasn't tried to bite me yet - that's slightly reassuring. But as for your two......"

At that precise moment, Ron's jarvey pounced on his shoe and bit his ankle. "OWWWWWWWW!" he howled, jumping up and down on one leg, while getting ready to aim a kick at the growling little hairball that refused to leave him alone. The rest of the class were watching him in amusement.

Harry glanced at Hermione sideways as they watched this spectacle. "Looks like me and Ron got stuck with the ladies."

"Remind me never to get married," was Ron's growled reply.

When the whole class had a jarvey each, Hagrid called out to them. "Jarveys like to eat common garden gnomes, but I doubt any of you would like to feed dead gnomes to your project...."

Many people shuddered at this. "Luckily for you, they also eat moles, rats and voles. They eat twice a day, breakfast and dinner, and you can come down and let them help themselves to the store of food I've got here." There was a collective sigh of relief, and Neville Longbottom lost the greenish tinge that was colouring his face.

Hagrid spent the last ten minutes of the lesson running over how to care for their jarveys, and reminded them all that each was their own responsibility. "Yeh can take them anywhere in the castle except for yeh lessons," he called, just as the bell went from the castle. "If you leave them in your dorms, make sure yeh leave plenty of water out for them! And a litter tray!"

Harry, Hermione and Ron quickly made their way up to the castle, each carrying their individual jarvey. Ron held his out in front of him, to stop it from permanently attaching itself onto his robes. "I think I'm going to call you 'killer'," he told it grimly.

Harry laughed at this, and looked down at his own jarvey. "Ours are female, Ron. I don't think 'killer' will appreciate that name."

Hermione sniffed. "Well, I'm calling mine Toby, after my grandpa," she announced, looking down at the black jarvey she held in her arms. "I think it suits him."

"What should I name mine?" wondered Harry out loud. His jarvey was bouncing up and down, making it rather difficult for Harry to hang on to her. He thought about any girl's names he liked. If he gave his jarvey a name, it would be a name he preferred. And then it clicked. "Lily."

"Lily?" Hermione repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Wasn't that your mum's name?"

Harry shrugged. Ron's face split into a wide grin. "You gave a jarvey the same name as your mum? - oh, Snuffles is going to like that one......." he snorted in laughter. "Which means that now I have to choose a name for you, since 'killer' seems to be out of the question....." he told his jarvey. Ron screwed up his nose in concentration, as he began to think of names.

"Scruffy?"

"Ron! That's mean!"

"Okay, okay......Ginny?"

"Ron............"

"Meredith?"

"Meredith? Where'd that come from?"

"Dunno.....it just kinda popped in my head......but absolutely not....."

"Stop being an ass and just pick a name already!"

"Alright.........I know. Hanna."

"Hanna. It's pretty. Good to know that you aren't a complete idiot when it comes to naming things," Harry said dourly. Ron glared at him in reply.

When they entered the entrance hall, Harry suddenly halted. "I've got to meet Professor Rivendale now........Ron, could you take my stuff up to our dorm?" he asked. "And could you take Lily? Put her with Hanna and they can keep each other company......"

Harry handed over his bag with his schoolbooks and quills inside, gave Hermione his jarvey and bid his friends a hasty goodbye. Lily reluctantly decided to perch herself on Hermione's right shoulder, and dug her claws in to make sure she didn't fall off. Waving, Ron and Hermione left Harry waiting in the entrance hall.

He only had to wait for a few minutes, before Professor Rivendale appeared at the top of the staircase. "Harry! Up here!" she called. Harry quickly made his way up to her. The professor beamed at him. "Snuffles knows you're coming. Probably getting ready to lecture you about the Order right now," she said in an amused voice.

Harry gaped at her. "You know about that?"

She nodded. "Of course. I'm in the Order myself. Got the badge to prove it. And I know all about Snuffles' opinion of you joining. It isn't exactly a secret..," she added dryly. They began to walk along the passageway.

"Do you.......know all about 'Snuffles?'" Harry asked her carefully.

Professor Rivendale looked at him out of the corner of her eye as she walked. "Well, yes. I got a chance to have a long talk with him yesterday, as a matter of fact."

Harry accidentally stopped walking. "Were you the 'past issues' that Sirius was working out yesterday? With Remus?" he asked bluntly. Professor Rivendale stopped and considered him for a moment.

"I suppose you could call me that.....who told you?" she inquired curiously. Harry went a bit red.

"Professor Dumbledore."

She laughed. "Figures he'd call me that. Well, c'mon then, if you want to see your wonderful Godfather."

They kept walking. "I haven't seen Sirius or Remus in fourteen years," Professor Rivendale said suddenly. "I was in the same year as them.....which reminds me. I don't think anyone ever told you about your mother and I."

Harry looked surprised. "You knew my mum, Professor?"

Professor Rivendale laughed softly. "That would be an understatement." Danielle was about to say more, when she realised that they had reached the painting of a lion. "Well, this is where our middle-aged bachelors have been crashing," Danielle said blandly. "We'll probably be blinded by the likely mess inside."

Walking right up to the portrait, she knocked on the frame lightly. "Anyone there?" she called.

There was a short silence, before a muffled voice replied. "Danielle, is that you?"

Harry jumped and stared at the painting where the voice had come from. He heard a small click and suddenly the painting swung back to reveal Remus peering out at them. "Sirius, I think we have some visitors!" he yelled over his shoulder.

Danielle crossed her arms. "Are we allowed to come in? Are you all dressed fully?"

"What? Oh, er, I think you'd better wait a moment......Sirius is still wondering around in his pyjamas.....since he refused to get up until midday......." Remus said in a long-suffering voice. "He refuses get up unless it's the end of the world, we're under attack or it's past eleven."

Harry couldn't help but laugh. "That would be an accurate description," he admitted. Sirius heard his Godson laugh and say something outside, and so he scrambled for his clothes and dressed hurriedly.

"Hey! I'm up! I'm ready, you can let them in now," he called. Remus stood back and let the two newcomers into the 'living room' of the suite. Harry looked around and had to admit that it was a nice room....or at least, until Sirius decided to leave his trash all over the place, anyway.

Danielle sat down on a comfy sofa and rested her head. "I could probably fall asleep right here," she groaned into a pillow. "Tired......" Sirius came out of the bedroom and stared down at her loftily.

"Please don't. Otherwise we'd have to put up with the strange gruntings that you make in your sleep."

Danielle hit him hard with a pillow. "Shut up. I do not!"

Then Sirius spotted Harry hanging about the doorway, looking a bit awkward. "So you came to visit me, eh?" he said to his Godson. "Good, because I've got a bone to pick with you."

Here we go.... Harry thought wearily. Another lovely lecture........

"How come you didn't tell me first?" asked Sirius. He almost looked as if he was pouting. "Don't I get to hear the news before everyone else?" They stared at each other across the room.

"I....I was looking for you all yesterday, but you weren't around," Harry told him warily. "I was planning on telling you before I told Professor Dumbledore," he continued. Danielle saw that Sirius was about to open his mouth and start ranting, so she quickly butted in.

"Harry, I suggest you ignore your idiot-of-a-godfather, since he isn't capable of normal speech at the moment," Danielle said quickly, shooting Sirius a warning look. "After all, his mind has not fully developed beyond that of a ten-year-old." Harry stared at his professor in amazement. She was casually talking about Sirius as if she had known him all her life. But....

Sirius was glaring at Danielle. "Do you mind? You happen to be undermining me in front of my Godson!"

Danielle shrugged. "Oh, grow up and deal with it, Black. You're an adult, not a whingy ten-year-old."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me - stop whining. Harry's made his decision and you'll have to get over your ego and accept it!"

"Oh, like you'd know! And I do not whinge! I am complaining in an adult way!"

This bickering went on for a while, as Remus and Harry just stood there uncomfortably, watching the debate fly back and forth. "They used to do this all the time," Remus whispered to Harry. "They remind me of an old married couple...." This made Harry snicker a bit, before he turned his attention back to the argument. Sirius was red-faced from the arguing, while Danielle looked like she was actually enjoying herself.

"I thought you'd support me! Don't you think it's too dangerous?"

"Yes, it's dangerous. But as far as I can see, Harry's been through harder stuff than this anyway," Danielle said, throwing Harry a warm smile. "Surely you aren't doubting Dumbledore's judgment?"

There wasn't much he could say to that. Harry moved over to Sirius. "Look, I swear I won't do anything to deliberately put myself in danger," he said softly. "Unless I absolutely have to." Sirius snorted, but when he looked at the determined face of his Godson, he knew there wasn't any chance of talking Harry out of it. He sighed reluctantly.

"Alright, alright.....I'll stop. You've got my approval," Sirius said grumpily.

Harry grinned and nearly tackled him, hugging Sirius tightly. "Thanks, Sirius. I don't think I'd be able to do it if you were angry at me," he admitted. There was a comfortable silence, before Danielle smiled.

"Well, that was cute.....I didn't think anyone could shut you up faster than I could, Sirius."

Again, Sirius threw a dirty look in her direction. Harry looked from Danielle to Sirius. "Er....how exactly do you know each other? I mean, you act like you're old, erm, friends, and Remus said that you used to yell at each other all the time....."

"Oh, he said that, did he?" Sirius drawled. Remus laughed.

"Admit it, Padfoot. You two used to fight like cats and dogs......it drove Lily insane, remember?"

Danielle had a small smile on her face. "Yeah, she once told me that unless I stopped bashing you up she would officially 'divorce' me....." she said, shaking her head. "I tried not to get in fights with you, but you were so damn.....pigheaded, Sirius. Totally full of yourself." Here, Remus burst into laughter, while Sirius looked insulted.

"Me? You were the one who was always trying to put me down! And then you insisted on coming over and thumping me every time I dumped a girl!" he shot back. Danielle's face darkened.

"Well, you insisted on dating a girl for a week or so, making them completely ga-ga over you, and then suddenly dumping them to charm another innocent girl - you treated them like your goddamn trophies! I mean, I couldn't just stand there and let you get away with your degrading habits. Do you remember when I gave you a black eye and a broken nose? In fifth year?"

Pulling a face, Sirius nodded ruefully.

Harry cleared his throat. "Um, this is great and all, but how come you two always fought? Or, actually, how come you know each other so well? I was just wondering......" he added quickly. "And, Professor, didn't you say that you knew my mum?"

Remus and Sirius looked at Danielle, wide-eyed. "You haven't told him yet?" Remus said, in an accusing voice.

Sirius frowned reprovingly at her. "Why the hell not?"

Harry got the feeling that he was missing something important.

"What hasn't Professor Rivendale told me?" he asked, a bit impatiently.

Danielle looked guilty. "Er....Harry, from now on, out of class, you're allowed to call me Danielle."

"Why, Professor? I mean, um, Danielle?"

She shifted in her chair. "Maybe you should sit down for a bit, Harry,"

He obeyed, plonking down in a chair opposite her. Sirius and Remus also sat down. Danielle had a rather lost look on her face. "Erm, there's something you should know about me," she began.

"You see, I knew your mother better than anyone else, Harry........except for your father, perhaps. The reason is because we were best friends, ever since we met on the train to school in first year. We shared the same dorm for seven years, were best friends for the whole time and after Hogwarts, too. This meant that I had to spend liberal amounts of time with the oh-so-famous Marauders," Danielle said, with a wry look on her face. Harry gaped at her.

"Best friends? With my mum?" he said blankly.

She nodded. "Yep. I was in the delivery room when you were born......James had the honour of waiting outside...." she mused. Then, Danielle giggled slightly. "He could never understand why Lily wanted me to be there and not him....he never realised it was because Lily didn't want to be responsible for throwing a piece of machinery at him for putting her through the pain of childbirth....."

Harry just sat there, trying to absorb the information. Professor Rivendale saw him being born? Now he felt just plain freaked. My Defence teacher saw me being born.....okay, that is creepy....actually, that is just weird....

Danielle must have had an idea of what he was thinking. "Well, besides all that, I've got something to say which might be a bit of a shock for you," she said hastily, watching him. Harry looked back at her, wondering what Profess - no, Danielle, was really trying to say.

She took a deep breath. "When you were born, Sirius was chosen by your father to be your Godfather, and your mother......chose me to be your Godmother. I'm your legal guardian."

Silence.

Everyone stared at Harry, looking for a sign of what he was thinking. Harry, meanwhile, was now completely confused. "B-but.........I thought Sirius was my guardian?" he stammered, quickly turning from Sirius to Danielle.

Sirius looked depressed. "Legally, I don't have custody..........yet. I'm still on the run, so I can't exactly go and fill out the legal documents." His face was filled with regret.

Danielle was biting her lip. "Do you object? It would only be until Sirius is proven innocent," she added quickly, stealing a glance at Sirius. She really didn't know how Sirius would feel, having Harry living with someone else for a while.....

Harry shook his head slowly, suddenly seeing his professor in a whole new light. This woman, his teacher, was his Godmother? The short and simple professor? He blinked. And then, the idea of her being his temporary guardian became appealing. "Does this mean that I'll stay with you? Instead of the Dursleys?" he asked carefully. Danielle exchanged a look with the two men.

"Well...nothing's official. Dumbledore would have to agree...but if everything works out, you'll never have to go back to the Dursleys again..," she told him. Danielle was about to say more, but Harry leapt out of his chair, pulled her up and hugged her.

"Are you serious?" he exclaimed.

Danielle, who was being slightly - no, rather squashed to death, managed to choke out - "I'm not Sirius, he is."

Remus groaned at the old joke. "If you had a knut for every time someone has pulled that joke on you, you'd be the richest wizard in Britain," he muttered to Sirius.

Sirius wrinkled his nose. "I know."

Harry let go of Danielle, and went red. "Oh, sorry Profe-- I mean, Danielle," he beamed.

Danielle was touched at the ecstatic expression on his face. "Well, if I'd known how much it meant to you to get away from those bloody relatives of Lily, I would have come back sooner," she admitted, reaching over and ruffling his hair. "And I'll be damned. Your hair's as wild as James'!" she added wonderingly.

They spent the rest of the time talking happily, Harry throwing Danielle awestruck glances now and again, until the bell rang. "Oh, I've got to go. Potions," he grimaced. Remus winced in sympathy, and Sirius twisted his face into a scowl.

"Spill something on him, Harry. Preferably an acid," he muttered.

"Sirius! Haven't you gotten over your childhood squabbles yet?" scolded Danielle, whacking the back of his head. "You are acting completely stupid!"

Over Sirius' loud complaints, Remus winked at Harry. "Just like a married couple," he mouthed. Remus led him over to the door. "We'll try and see you again, before we go," he whispered, opening the portrait door and peering up and down the corridor.

"You're leaving?" Harry said in alarm.

"Well, we can't stay here very long."

"But........" Harry didn't want to whine. It was just that he missed Sirius and Remus, even though technically he had only been at school a week. It was like he suddenly needed them around, for support. Harry had never experienced the strange feeling before.

"I'm sorry......but we'll try and see you as often as we can. You'd better be off," Remus said apologetically, glancing back over his shoulder at the bickering duo, who were now arguing over who was better at the jelly-legs curse.

"Right. Bye," sighed Harry, before slipping out of the hidden rooms and making his way back down the corridor.

Behind him, Remus watched his retreating back. He's so mature. And already, he's taking on the role of an adult. Remus' heart went out to the son of James Potter. Slowly, he turned back to his old time school-friends and inwardly smiled. They had always been like this. Squabbling over everything, fighting continuously, always trying to best each other. Despite the fact that they were all older and wiser, some things would never change.

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Severus Snape was currently in his dungeons, brewing one of his immensely complex potions. It was partly to challenge himself, but it was also to stop him brooding. Over what, you might ask? Well, it didn't take a genius to figure out why he was so immensely peeved at the world.

Black and Lupin were here. In Hogwarts.

Growling, Snape threw some lacewings into the potion, making it briefly turn a poisonous orange. He hated Black more than anyone else on earth. Even more than he had hated Potter. Which was saying something. That blithering prat, always so cocky and arrogant. Even tried to set a werewolf in him.....the bastard. And Lupin. Not as bad as Black and Potter, but annoying enough. Not to mention dangerous. A tame werewolf, Dumbledore had said. Ha.

Snape's school-day's often came back to haunt him - the endless plotting and warfare between those Gryffindor morons, and the soon-to-be, future Death Eaters. Which reminded him of.....

He stopped stirring the potion, and drew up the left sleeve of his robes. The Dark Mark was there, grinning evilly. It gave him pain, at night, when his master was in a restless mood. No doubt the boy, Draco Malfoy, was enduring the same.

Draco. Snape suddenly felt a pang of empathy for the son of Lucius. He had been there, at the initiation ceremony, watching as Draco was branded. It had been very disturbing, even painful, to watch as one of his young protégés, in fact, the best he had ever had, to undergo the same ceremony he too had taken part of, all those years ago. Memories of the past threatened to wash over his self-control, so quickly Snape dropped the sleeve again, and went back to feverishly stirring the potion.

He had, of course, informed Dumbledore of Draco's acceptance into the Death Eaters the moment he had heard. The old man had been disappointed to hear that another person, with potential for good had been converted. And yet, Dumbledore had not ordered that Draco be expelled.

Better to keep him here, where he has a better chance of resisting Voldemort's influence, was the headmaster's words. Easy to say, harder to do. Snape had orders to watch Draco Malfoy carefully. But the boy could not have any suspicion directed towards Snape - if he mentioned anything to Lucius, it could blow his whole cover....which would be completely fatal.

So, carefully, Snape had begun to check up on the boy regularly, inquiring on his health and his family. Draco knew what Snape's 'other occupation' was, and therefore was able to be quite honest with him. Snape had known Draco from a young age, since Lucius and he were on friendly terms, and he was often invited over for dinner. Draco tended to treat Snape like a favourite uncle.

He inspected the potion and found it to be satisfactory, and poured it into several vials. It was a very advanced potion, only to be attempted by a Potions Master of the highest degree. Which, of course, was Snape's area of enterprise. The particular potion was a very potent healing draught, excellent for patients recovering from near-fatal wounds.

Dumbledore had asked Severus to brew large batches of this potion, in preparation for the upcoming battles that lay ahead. And so Snape had spent most of his 'free time', making many cauldron-fulls of the draught - a task he trusted to no one but himself.

There was something else on his mind, too. The newest addition to the Hogwarts staff was a source of interest.

Snape could remember in first year, when he had accidentally tripped on the stairs and would have fallen, perhaps even broken his neck, if not for someone grabbing the back of his robes and steadying him. He had turned around to find himself face-to-face with Danielle, a quiet but lively Gryffindor, who looked at him worriedly. "Are you okay?" was the first thing out of her mouth.

Severus had pulled away and muttered "I'm fine," and hurried off. But he had never forgotten it.

If, instead, it had been Black or Potter, no doubt they would have let him fall, and laughed. But Danielle had never shared the traditional rivalry and 'war' between Slytherin and Gryffindor. In a class with Slytherins, she wouldn't hesitate to help them if they were having trouble - despite the accusations that she was 'betraying' her house. She had ignored them, and done her own thing.

Which was what Severus couldn't help but like. In his third year, he had developed somewhat of a crush on Danielle.....much to his own mortification. But he never had a chance to admit this to her, simply because of his friends, and hers. He was a Slytherin, too deep into the Dark Arts, and she was a Gryffindor, best friends with Lily Evans and Lupin, who was, in turn, friends with Potter and Black.

It had been a real pity. Severus secretly thought that Danielle would make a good ally....and friend. But to be seen talking to her, associating with her on a friendly basis, could lead to his ultimate downfall. If the Slytherins caught wind, and told their parents, who would relay the information to Dark Lord.....he would be branded a traitor. And suffer a painful, messy death.

Shaking his head to banish these dark thoughts, Snape strode out of the dungeons, locking the cupboard with the precious vials as he left. It was time to check up on Draco. He walked the distance to the stone wall that was the entrance to the Slytherin common room and gave the password. "Basilisk egg."

The plain stone wall slid back to reveal the large Slytherin common room, and a few chatting students. It was roughly sunset, so many were either eating an early dinner or up in their dormitories. But Draco was in his usual spot near the window, curled up in an armchair and reading. Snape came over and tapped him on the shoulder, causing Draco to jerk with surprise and look up almost guiltily.

"Oh, professor. I was just reading......." he said guardedly, placing a bookmark in-between the pages he was reading, and closed the book. It was Transfiguration - things you didn't know. Snape gave him a rare smile.

"Catching up on your work, I see," he said, sitting in an armchair opposite Draco.

The white-blonde boy nodded. "Yes professor.......is anything wrong?" he asked hesitatingly. Snape shook his head.

"No. I just came by to see how you're coping," he told Draco in a quiet voice.

Draco's naturally pale face became even pastier. "I'm fine, Professor Snape," he said insistently, sitting up straighter. "The....the Mark hasn't bothered me much."

Liar, Snape thought pityingly. It's obvious that the pain's affecting him, too. There's bags under his eyes and he looks like he hasn't slept a wink. Aloud, Snape raised an eyebrow. "Really? Your father will be pleased to hear that." It was a ploy to help Draco relax. If his father was happy and in a good mood, Draco was happy. Otherwise.......

It worked. Draco's face brightened. "You'll tell him, sir?"

Snape nodded. "Of course. I'm sure your mother has been concerned about how you're feeling...."

Draco flushed a very light pink with embarrassment. His mother was very much a social butterfly, and she hadn't ever had much time for her only son and child. Most of his childhood, he had spent with his Nanny. Snape knew this, and therefore had visited whenever he had obtained a chance. Lucius was a very critical father and was hard to please. He too had not spent parent-son time with Draco.

Clearing his throat, Snape stood up. "Well, I must leave. There won't be a....calling for a month or so, not for the younger........members. So I advise you to concentrate mainly on your schoolwork," he said to the Slytherin boy curtly.

"Yes, sir," Draco replied, not bothering to hide his relief. A whole month! A whole month of freedom, until he had to attend a meeting or see.........him, again.

Severus noticed his relief but said nothing. "Goodbye, Draco."

"Bye, professor."

Snape swept out of the common room, leaving Draco with his book and a lighter heart. When he was gone, Draco avoided the curious glances from the few other Slytherins and made his way to the library. Reading material was always a good ploy to take his mind off things.

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Bill opened the door of the little shack that he was to occupy for the next six weeks. It was barren, small, and in serious disrepair. Not to mention that it was bloody freezing. He groaned, and dumped the small pack with his gear in. Behind him, Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody chuckled. "Lad, you'd better get used to it. It's your new home for a while. Damn my arthritis," he added, wincing at the bitter wind that swept through the hut and rattled the windows so hard it was a wonder that they didn't give out completely.

The hut was on one of the ragged cliffs that looked out to sea, giving them a view of endless ocean and the powerful waves that smashed onto the rocks below. And a fair distance away, Bill could see a tiny island in the middle of the water. Azkaban. Even from here, it felt terrifying. Sighing, he turned from the window. "I hope you brought a few packs of exploding snap," he told the battered old Auror. "Otherwise, I'm going to go mad in this place."

Mad-Eye grinned, causing his face to become even more twisted. "Aye. I think we'd better put a few charms on this hell-hut, before I get frostbite." Bill nodded, shivering. Pulling out their wands, they got to work, being careful to not make any sparks. They had to be as inconspicuous as possible. Who knew what might be watching, waiting for an opportunity to strike?

When the charms were laid down, and the hut considerably more comfortable and warm, Bill noticed that it was late. "Who takes first watch?" he asked dully.

Mad-Eye glanced up at him. "I will. You get your sleep. I'll wake you at three." And so Bill wrapped himself in a thick blanket and attempted to doze off.

But the pounding of the waves and the coldness that came from Azkaban kept him wide-awake.

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