The Ultimate Power

A/N: It's snowing! - Sorry, first snow of the season always makes me giddy. ;-)

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Maybe it's time to change
and leave it all behind
I've never been one to walk alone
I've always been scared to try
so why does it feel so wrong
to reach for something more
to wanna live a better life
what am I waiting for?
'cause nothing stays the same
maybe it's time to change

-Sick Puppies (Maybe)

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Maybe

September 1, 1997

Harry stepped off the train at Hogsmeade station feeling less light-hearted than he normally did when returning to school. Under constant pestering from Hermione most of the summer holidays, he had decided to return for his final year. Hermione kept up the persistence that a well-rounded education could only help him, her and Ron all the more when it came to dealing with the Horcruxes.

Harry sighed as he climbed into the thestral drawn carriage behind Ron and Hermione who were arguing about something or another which he had already lost track of. He decided to ignore them even further and let the two settle it themselves as his thoughts turned to the summer holiday at the Burrow.

Two weeks after arriving at King's Cross, Harry had departed from the Dursleys' for his final time. The Order had insured that his relatives' home had every form of protection placed upon it that was available by themselves and the Ministry alike (unknown to the Dursleys, of course). He had then traveled to the Weasleys' in a highly uneventful way considering his previous trips: A Ministry issued car filled to the breaking point by two Aurors and six Order members. Even with the additional space within the car, Harry had still been squeezed between Remus and Moody in the backseat.

"Lot of protection this is," Harry had scoffed quietly to Remus, "when you can barely move your arms." Moody, who had overheard the comment, had found this highly amusing.

Life at the Burrow had been comfortable as always, yet strained because Harry and Ginny had been forced to interact on an almost daily basis. Though he still held firm with his decision and Ginny claimed to understand, Harry feared that the actual reality was that she truly did not. There had been a few times at the beginning of his stay that he had tried to corner Ginny and explain more clearly just why things had to end between them. Every time, however, the words would not come and eventually Harry had given up and become used to saving the falling butter dish and other numerous objects that seemed to fly to the floor whenever he and Ginny were within eyesight of one another.

One week after his arrival at the Burrow, Hermione had showed up and she, Ron, and Harry had taken to secluding themselves for hours at a time within Ron's attic bedroom or in a private spot in the garden to discuss the Horcruxes. After discovering no new leads, however, they had finally approached the one person who they felt confident could truly help and they could trust unconditionally: Remus Lupin.

"Which," Hermione had pointed out shortly afterwards, "makes it all the more relevant to return to Hogwarts as that's where Remus will be this year." Harry had grudgingly agreed and he, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had all found themselves upon Platform 9 ¾ earlier that day.

Harry still couldn't say he wholeheartedly accepted this final decision, though it had been his. After all, what was Hogwarts without Dumbledore?

The carriage came to an abrupt halt and the three clambered out in front of the steps to the main doors. As they made their way through the Entrance Hall, Harry tuned back in to what Ron and Hermione were saying.

"--can't believe Bill's married," Ron was saying as Hermione nodded and they seated themselves at the Gryffindor table. "I mean, all my life it's just been Bill this and Bill that, but now it's Bill and Fleur this and Bill and Fleur that. Bit odd, yeah?" Ron's eyes went glassy around the edges at the mention of Fleur. Hermione cuffed him round the head.

"That's your sister-in-law, Ron!" she exclaimed exasperatedly. Then her eyes turned dreamy as well as she said to Harry, "It was a beautiful wedding, though, wasn't it? Fleur looked gorgeous!"

Harry noticed the tips of Ron's ears turning red and he didn't think it had anything to do with Fleur this time. Ron averted his eyes down the table and, as the first years started to file in, he said, "Oi, who's that, d'you think?"

Harry and Hermione followed Ron's eyes down to the end of the table where a girl they had never seen before sat by herself.

Harry shrugged. "Dunno," he said as he continued to study her. She had the most dreadful look of abject boredom Harry had ever seen. Her eyes, though, were taking in every face and sight they landed on. Harry seriously doubted she was as bored as she looked. "Wasn't here last year, was she?"

"Maybe she's a transfer from Beauxbatons or Durmstrang," Hermione whispered as the sorting started.

"Weird, though, innit?" Ron asked. "After everything that happened last year? What parent would willingly transfer their daughter here after that?"

Hermione gave a half-hearted shrug and said, "I don't know, but move your eyes away from her, it's got to make her nervous. Everyone in the Hall is blatantly staring at her."

Harry did as he was told and turned his gaze up to Flitwick who was sorting the new first years. His stomach rumbled and Harry wished there were less new students than there were. It seemed to drag on forever.

Finally, the last first year was sorted into Hufflepuff and the food appeared upon the table. Harry and Ron heaped large amounts on their plates and began to eat vigorously. Hermione proceeded at a more sedate pace. Harry couldn't help but to sneak surreptitious glances at the new girl all during the feast while she kept her eyes planted firmly upon her barely touched plate.

"She looks like she'd have to be a seventh year, doesn't she?" Ron said as he caught Harry's eye. Apparently, Ron had been doing the same thing Harry had during their meal. "Means she'd be in your dorm, Hermione. You can find out about her, yeah?"

"Honestly, Ron, I'm not going to pry," Hermione scoffed. "If she is and she approaches me, then we'll see." Ron rolled his eyes and attacked his third helping of treacle pudding.

Shortly afterwards, the food was cleared from the tables and McGonagall stood from her seat at the staff table.

"To all returning students, welcome back! To all new students, welcome to Hogwarts! It is a pleasure to see all your shining face in front of me tonight. I have but a few announcements to make and then you may make your ways to your beds for the evening.

"First off, let me start by introducing the two new appointments we have in staff this year. For those of you who were here four years ago you will remember the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Remus Lupin. I am pleased to announce that Professor Lupin has agreed to return to his old post."

Remus stood from his seat and there was a roar of clapping and cheering from those students in Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor who remembered him. Remus smiled, gave a slight nod of his head and returned to his seat.

"And to take over the Transfiguration position," McGonagall continued, "let me introduce Professor Henry Kinlin." Kinlin stood as well and there was a moment of applause for the unknown wizard.

McGonagall gave a tight-lipped smile to the students and said, "To all students, both new and old, the Forbidden Forest on the grounds is just as its name suggests: Forbidden to all children within this school. If any student is caught within the forest, house points will be lost and punishments shall be given." McGonagall paused as her eyes swept over every face in the hall, lingering a moment longer on Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"Also, Mr. Filch has a list posted on his office door of every item that is banned from Hogwarts for any student who wishes to see. This includes any and all products from the joke shop Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. Any student caught with any of these five hundred and twenty-three items will lose house points and/or receive a detention." Harry almost swore that McGonagall's lips twitched as she said this.

"Expands it every year, doesn't he?" Ron grumbled to Harry. Harry snickered.

"That is all for this evening," McGonagall was saying now. "Prefects, round up your first years and escort them to your respective common rooms. Have a wonderful year, everyone!"

As Hermione bustled off with Ron grudgingly in tow, Harry looked down the table towards the lonesome girl. She was gone, already making her way out the doors to the Entrance Hall. Harry wondered briefly how she planned on finding the common room, but he shrugged it off and joined Neville, Dean and Seamus as they made their way out of the Hall. He didn't notice Remus' eyes following her out of the room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry was late. He had lingered outside too long during his free period and now he was behind and running through the corridors. Of all days to be late, it has to be on the first day of classes, he mused as he darted up a staircase. At least he had Defense next and Remus was relatively calm about this sort of thing. Harry rounded a corner in the corridor.

"Ooff," he said as he ran into someone coming from the opposite direction and crumbled to the floor.

He heard a muttered exclamation of the same sort from the other person and jumped up gasping, "Sorry!" as he bent to gather the surrounding books.

"Oh, God, no, I'm sorry!" exclaimed a female voice. "I just - I'm running late and I'm horribly lost and I wasn't paying attention and - "

Harry glanced up and was surprised to see the girl from the night before. He hadn't seen her since she had disappeared from the Great Hall and she hadn't entered his mind since then. He cut her off mid-ramble. "It's all right," he said, offering the girl her books which had spilled from her split bag. "Same for me; running late, not paying attention."

The girl smiled and said, "Well, I'm still sorry. Now I've managed to make us both even later." She shook her head and sighed.

"What class do you have next?" Harry asked. "Maybe I can point you in the right direction."

"Defense," she responded confidently.

Harry grinned and said, "Well, so do I, so how 'bout I take you there myself, eh?"

The girl released a gust of air on a laugh and said to the ceiling, "Thank God!" Then she looked back at Harry and said, "That would be great. Thanks."

"You really were lost, weren't you?" he asked as he turned the girl back in the right direction.

The girl shook her head and sighed. "It's those bloody damn staircases! I manage to go the right way and then, suddenly, they change! Then I'm going down instead of up and I just get dizzier the longer I try."

Harry chuckled. "They certainly take some getting used to, that's for sure."

"I suppose I'll manage it eventually," she blew. "I'm Holli, by the way. Holli Fallen."

"Er...Harry Potter," Harry mumbled awkwardly. "Nice to meet you."

"Oh, same here," Holli chuckled.

As they continued on their way in silence, Harry noticed Holli staring unabashedly at him. He turned and quirked an eyebrow at her in silent question.

"Sorry," she replied. "I don't mean to stare, but...well - it's just - I, well - you really do have lovely eyes. Everything I've heard never really has done you justice."

Harry gaped. "What?"

"Simply marvelous!" Holli grinned.

Harry shook his head slightly. "Well, um - thanks, I guess." Holli smiled at him. "So, er -," he continued, wanting to move the subject away from him, "you're new here, yeah?"

"Yeah," Holli sighed.

"I'm guessing you're a seventh year since you have Defense with me and all. Why come so late?"

Holli glanced sideways at Harry for a moment then moved her gaze back down the corridor. "It's a rather long story actually, but I think it'll have to wait until later. We're about to class, yes?"

Harry glanced up and noticed that they were, in fact, a few doors down from the Defense classroom. As they both reached the door and walked in, Remus' eyes shot toward them.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Fallen, care to explain why you're so late?" he asked the two standing in the doorway.

Harry was about to answer when Holli spoke up from beside him. "It's my fault, Professor, I'm sorry. I was lost and I ran into Harry when he was on his way here and slowed him down."

Remus nodded. "I understand. Take your seats then and let's try to not let it happen again, shall we?"

As Harry turned away toward his seat next to Ron he almost swore he saw Holli's lips twitch in Remus' direction during his speech.

The class passed by relatively quickly as Remus generally talked about what they would cover during the year and reviewed them on what they already knew. Harry could tell that Ron was near bursting with want of asking about the new girl. As soon as Remus dismissed the class, he pounced.

"So, who is she? What's she like? What's she doing here? Why'd she come in the last year?

Harry waited until they were out in the corridor before he answered Ron's questions.

"Her name's Holli Fallen and she seems an all right sort," he said as Hermione moved to his other side and they walked to the common room. "I asked why she only came this year but we were already outside the door so I didn't get an answer."

"Pity," Ron said as his face fell a bit.

"Honestly, Ron," Hermione sighed, exasperated. "You're acting like Hagrid with some rare breed of Hippogriff or some such. She's not something for you to study for your personal amusement; she's a human being!"

As Ron and Hermione continued to bicker, Harry's thoughts drifted back to the new girl, wondering just why she was there.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Holli took her time placing her things back in her bag, waiting for her fellow classmates to clear the room. When the last person had walked through the door, Holli glanced up and saw Remus watching her, a smile playing on his face.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

"You're just incredibly smooth, is all," Remus chuckled in reply. "No one who was paying attention would have known you were deliberately trying to linger."

Holli snorted. "Like it matters. Next time I'll just go and plop myself right across you desk, shall I?"

"Sounds like a plan," Remus said with amusement. Then he sobered, "So, how's it going? All right?"

Holli shrugged. "I suppose," she replied with a sigh. "I've only gotten myself lost seven times today compared to yesterday's eleven. Guess that's a decent enough drop down, don't you?"

Remus chuckled and asked, "Classes to your liking?"

"They're not what I expected at all," she said with a small smile upon her lips. "Nothing is, really. It's all so...magical."

"Yes," Remus responded dryly. "That does tend to happen in a school of magic, you know?" Holli grinned cheekily and Remus watched her as he thought. Then he said, "So, I see you met Harry. What was that like?"

Holli started slightly, but covered it well enough by bending and thoughtfully scratching her shin. "Strange," she replied after a contemplative moment. "He is almost exactly as I pictured him and exactly how I imagined him to be, but I just could never have prepared myself to meet him, no matter how hard I tried. I mean, I knew he was going to be here. The timeline fit, especially after McGonagall explained everything about the books to me. He - I just - he's supposed to be a fictional character, Remus! Everyone is, even you." Holli finished talking in barely a whisper. Remus had to strain to hear her.

"I can't imagine how all this must feel," he said to her just as softly. "It must be exciting and frightening all at the same time. How a person should deal with something like this, I have no idea. I don't think anyone has ever had to." Remus sighed and continued. "Holli, there are a lot of things about you that are different; tremendously so. I don't think anyone in history has had the same experiences that you have or are still going to have. Someone always has to be the first, but it's a ghastly position to be in. Mostly, because there is no one who can teach you how to act or handle the situations you'll find yourself having to deal with. I wish I could, Holli. You have no idea how much I wish this were so, but the simple fact is that I cannot. I will help you however I can, though. And really, Harry and everyone else you meet are no more different than you are in reality."

Holli was staring out the window from her perch on one of the desks with a pinched look about her face. "None of it should be this hard, Remus," she said quietly. "Why are good people always dealt the worst cards?"

Remus sighed and replied, "I'm not sure, Holli, but it's something I used to ask myself every day. Eventually, I gave up looking for an answer and just lived my life to the best of my ability."

Holli's eyes narrowed as though she were deep in thought as she continued to gaze out the window across the school grounds. Feeling the need for a change of subject, Remus stood, stretched and said, "Ready to study? Two weeks until your first exam with McGonagall and there's a lot to cover before then."

Holli sighed as she stood and gathered her things, and then followed Remus out of the classroom and down the corridor to his quarters.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next couple weeks passed with relative ease for Harry, Ron and Hermione. N.E.W.T. level classes were more difficult than any of their other previous lessons and the teachers were piling them with homework. Hermione, however, had forced Ron and Harry to complete their work during the week and the first part of the weekend, leaving room for perfect boredom early Sunday afternoon.

"You could always get a head start on next week's lessons," Hermione suggested without removing her nose from the large tome in front of her after Ron's fourth proclamation of such.

"Gah, Hermione!" Ron exclaimed. "I'm bored, not desperate!" Hermione simply shrugged.

"Let's go see Remus," Harry said. "We haven't had much of a chance to talk with him since school started."

"Sounds good," Ron said as he bounded from his chair.

Hermione reluctantly glanced up from her book and said, "I suppose you're right. We really should discuss the You-Know-What's with him."

"Brilliant!" Ron said as he dragged Hermione off the floor and Harry off the couch. "Let's go!"

They made their way down to Remus' quarters with Hermione and Ron bickering about studying and course loads. When they reached his door, Harry knocked and shortly after Remus opened the door with laughter on his face.

"Oh, hello you three," he greeted pleasantly as he stepped aside to allow them in. "Having a nice afternoon?"

"Yeah," Harry replied as he stepped over the threshold. "Little bored is all."

Remus laughed. "I see," he said. "So you decided that I could rectify that, did you?"

"Well, we had hoped," Ron told Remus.

Harry smiled and glanced around the room and then stopped short. Holli was curled up on the window sill, a book open upon her lap, watching them curiously. Harry had taken to watching her during classes and meals. In class, she said very little, if anything at all, most days and during meals, she sat by herself at the end of the table, always with a book open before her. She always wore a look of intense concentration during these times, her eyes focused on the book then sweeping the room as though trying to identify some lost item. Harry didn't see her much outside of these instances. She was always absent from the common room and Harry had briefly wondered at times where she disappeared to. He was pretty sure he had just solved that particular mystery.

"'Lo, Holli," Harry greeted her. He saw Ron's head jerk in her direction from the corner of his eye.

"Hello, Harry," Holli said with a small smile. "All right?"

"Right, sorry. Where are my manners? Hermione, Ron, this is Holli Fallen," Remus said. "Holli, this is Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley."

"It's very nice to meet you, Holli," Hermione said.

"Same to you," Holli nodded and smiled as she glanced at Ron who was gaping at her. "Close your mouth, love. All sorts of nasties could fly in."

Ron snapped his mouth shut as his ears quickly turned red beneath his fringe. Hermione snickered and Harry laughed out right. Ron glared at them.

"Well then," Remus chuckled as he made his way over to the chair that was set next to the window and motioned to the other furniture around the room for the other three to take, "now that that's out of the way was this just a simple visit or did you need to discuss something?"

"A bit of both," Harry replied.

"I see," Remus said as he leaned back in his chair next to Holli. "Well, let's just visit for a while, shall we? We need a bit of a break, don't we, Holli?"

"Definitely," Holli snorted as she tossed her book at Remus. "Bloody slave driver, you are!" Remus chuckled as he caught the book before it hit his head.

"What were you two doing?" Hermione asked.

Holli sighed. "Studying. You came in the nick of time; I was about to throw my damn wand out the window." Holli glared balefully at the innocent stick of wood on the cushion next to her as though it had cursed her with her back turned.

Remus shook his head as he said, "Holli, for the last time, it's not the wand's fault. You just refuse to allow it to wield your magic. You need to relax."

"I am bloody relaxed," Holli muttered under her breath though Remus still heard her. He sighed and gave up, turning to the trio before him.

"Classes going all right, you three?" he asked. "Not stressed out too much yet I hope."

"No, not at all," Ron said sarcastically. "Hermione's only been trying to shove the whole bleeding library down our throats!"

Holli snorted to the window. "I know the feeling."

Ron looked at Remus and motioned to Holli as he demanded, "What have you been doing to her, Remus?"

Harry had to admit that he was rather curious as well when Remus glanced sideways at Holli and his mouth twitched upwards. "Holli's situation is a lot different than everyone else's. She simply wasn't ready for my study tactics. She's a bit sour about it, I gather."

Holli rounded on Remus in the blink of an eye. "Sour?" she demanded. "'Not ready for your study tactics'? What the hell, Remus?"

Holli was pacing back and forth in front of the window glaring at Remus. Harry, Ron and Hermione's eyes followed her, all three slightly baffled.

"You've been cramming endless amounts of knowledge and facts down my throat for two and a half months! Yes, it paid off! How could it not? I passed McGonagall's exam with flying colours according to her but do you let me take one day's break? NO! 'Get back to the books, Holli.' 'Only six more weeks till the next one, Holli.' Study, study, STUDY! I'm sick of bloody studying, Remus. I want fresh air and sunlight, not a cracked window and a fire!" Holli finished her rant panting for air, heaving great breaths as though she were losing more oxygen than she was gaining.

The trio glanced at one another, each looking mildly horrified. Remus, however, looked rather amused.

"All you had to do was ask nicely," he told her, barely containing the grin that threatened to break through at any moment. Holli growled and stormed as far away from Remus as she could get and plopped down on the couch next to Hermione who patted her leg consolingly.

"So, er - what's so different about your situation?" Harry asked Holli who glared at Remus but did not reply.

Remus chuckled at this and said, "Holli hasn't had any sort of magical education so she has to take all seven years worth in just one."

Ron, who had been about to say something, choked on his own words. Harry thumped him on the back.

"All seven?" he sputtered when he was no longer blue in the face. "Even O.W.L.s?"

"Yes," said Holli simply from her spot on the couch. Ron gaped once more. "Nasties," Holli pointedly reminded. Ron snapped his mouth shut once more. "It's not so bad. I do enjoy my Vitamin D, though, Remus."

"And you get plenty of it when you're in Herbology," Remus remarked. Holli scowled at him.

"Vita-what?" Ron asked.

"Vitamin D," Hermione replied. "It's essential to the body's survival and you acquire it from the sun."

"Oh," was all Ron said. Then he added, "Why haven't you had a magical education?"

Holli sighed and answered, "Well, it's rather a -,"

"- long story," Harry cut her off. "Yeah, we've heard." One corner of Holli's mouth twitched upwards but she did not reply further.

"So," Remus interjected, hoping to keep Holli as appeased as possible for the time being, "what did you three come to discuss?"

"It's about," Ron shot a sideways look at Holli before continuing cryptically, "the - group - and the - things."

"It's all right, Ron," Remus said. "Holli knows about the Order and the Horcruxes."

"What?" Harry demanded as he whipped his head around to stare at Remus traitorously. "How?"

Remus glanced towards Holli imploringly, but the girl was gazing over the back of the couch out of the window once again. Apparently, she did not feel the need to explain this information to the trio just yet. Remus huffed in indignation.

"It's not my place to say, Harry," he said apologetically. Harry's eyes narrowed as Ron and Hermione glanced between one another with a look of distrust. "It isn't what you think, though. Nowhere close, please believe me this."

Harry looked to his two friends and then all three glanced towards Holli who was still staring dolefully out the window at the blue sky. Hermione turned back to him and shrugged her shoulders slightly. Ron continued to gaze at Holli dubiously.

"All right," said Harry finally.

Remus smiled gratefully and was about to speak when Holli suddenly stood and said, "I'm going for a walk round the lake while you four talk, Remus. Come find me when you're done, I guess." Holli walked over next to Remus, grabbed her bag sitting on the window sill and disappeared out the door. Remus' eyes followed her quizzically as she left.

"So what's the real deal with her, Remus?" Harry asked after a moment of silence.

Remus looked slightly uncomfortable as he glanced out the window. Then he sighed and said, "Like I said before, it really isn't my place to discuss it, but I suppose telling you a bit won't hurt any.

"Holli's situation is a bit like yours was, Harry. She comes from a magical lineage, but she was never told, not until she turned seventeen, at least."

He looked at the trio before him and asked, "Remember when I told you three early this summer that you wouldn't see me until school started because I had an assignment for the Order?" When the three nodded he continued. "Holli was it. I retrieved her from her mother's and stayed with her in Diagon Alley the past two months to get her accustomed to our world; her world."

"Why didn't she know," Hermione asked, "if she has magical parents?"

Remus shook his head. "It's a long explanation and I'm not going to be the one to give it. Suffice to say that her mother doesn't like magic, not in the least."

Harry cocked his head. He understood only too well how Holli might feel. Growing up and not knowing who you really were just because it pleased the people around you a bit more wasn't the best situation to be in. What he did not understand was why he had seen Ron's eyes narrow more and more while Remus talked from the corner of his eye. Hermione, though, seemed to accept Remus' words as well and that was good enough for Harry.

They stayed a while longer and discussed the Horcruxes with Remus. Over the summer, he had been helping them determine just who R.A.B could possibly be. Apparently, though, Remus had had no more success than Hermione had with the search.

They also speculated on what Voldemort's other Horcruxes could be, but with Remus having limited time over the summer and the trio having come up with nothing new, they were left with only what Dumbledore had provided Harry with: The locket, Hufflepuff's cup, Nagini, something of Ravenclaw's or Gryffindor's.

As the three left, slightly dejected, Ron pronounced, "I don't trust her."

"Who?" Harry asked with raised eyebrows. "Holli?" Ron nodded.

Hermione scoffed. "Why ever not, Ron? She seems perfectly fine to me."

"Bit odd, innit? How she turns up after so long and she just seems to know everything and doesn't offer any sort of explanation as to why?"

"You're suggesting she's a spy for Voldemort?" Hermione asked as Ron flinched. "Honestly, Ron, you need to stop that. It's just a name! As for Holli, we have no proof of that."

"Yeah, and we don't have any proof that she isn't! What if she's after Harry, huh?" Ron exclaimed.

"I'm plenty able to protect myself against her, Ron," Harry sighed.

"Well, maybe so, but I still don't like her. There's just something off that I can't place," said Ron with a scowl.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Remus found Holli where she had promised he would. She was seated against a large boulder on the shore of the lake, reading, with the tide caressing her bare feet. Remus sat down next to her.

"Studying?" he asked nonchalantly.

Holli glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "Sort of," she replied.

Remus bent forward to glance at the title of the book. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix it read.

"Whatever are you reading that for?" Remus questioned. "You have the whole thing right here."

"Research," Holli stated. "I'm trying to find some sort of clue that could help you guys and I keep getting this feeling like I overlooked something, somewhere."

"Help," Remus repeated softly. "You really think there's something in there?"

"Maybe," she replied. "Seems logical, doesn't it?"

"I suppose," Remus answered. He was silent for some time as he gazed upon the sky's reflection on the lake's surface. "Why did you leave like that?" he finally asked her. "You didn't have to. That's why I told them you knew."

Holli shrugged one shoulder and placed her book in her lap with a sigh. "They don't trust me and I don't blame them after everything they've been through. I knew they wanted to discuss the Horcruxes with you and I just thought it would be - easier, maybe. I don't know. I just didn't really feel right staying."

"Well," said Remus, "you could've, if you had wanted to. They would have accepted you readily enough, I think." Holli just shrugged again and gazed at her feet. Remus bent towards her and picked up her book. "So, let's get some research done, shall we?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

One week later, Holli was walking down a corridor towards Remus' quarters shortly after dinner when she was suddenly grabbed from the side and pulled into an empty classroom. Startled and ready to hex whoever had seized her, she looked up into the bright green eyes of Harry.

"What -," but Harry but her off. "How do you know about the Order and the Horcruxes?" he demanded of her. "I know Remus would never have told you about either, so tell me how you know."

Holli glared at him. "It doesn't concern you or anyone else as to how I know such things," she said coldly. "Now if you'll kindly excuse me, I have things to do." She made for the door, but Harry blocked her path.

"Tell me, Holli," Harry ordered again.

Holli glared menacingly at him. "Look," she said, "I don't care whether you and your friends like or trust me, Harry. All that matters to me is that I graduate from here with something even close to resembling good marks so that I never have to go home again and that I have Remus."

"Why is Remus so important to you?" Harry asked suspiciously.

Holli averted her eyes away from Harry to hide the sadness.

"Holli," he said softly, seeing the expression in her mouth and the lines of her face. "Why?"

"Because - because he - he's the only friend I have now," she stuttered out in a whisper so soft, Harry had to strain his ears to hear her. He was so surprised by her pronouncement that he forgot to block her way to the door and she flew past him back out into the corridor with unshed tears in her eyes. It took a minute for Harry to come back to himself. When he did, he tried to follow her, but she was already gone.

Harry figured she had fled to Remus, but instead of searching her out he headed to the common room to find Ron and Hermione. There was something the three of them needed to discuss and soon.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Holli avoided the trio over the next few days. When Hermione awoke in the mornings, Holli was already dressed and gone. She didn't eat meals with the rest of the school and she fled from classes and disappeared as soon as the professor dismissed them. While Ron still had reservations about the girl, Harry and Hermione had agreed that they would offer out a friendly hand and that if they hadn't caught Holli within a week, they would stalk her to Remus' quarters if they had to.

It was the first Hogsmeade weekend of the school year and Harry and Ron were in the common room awaiting Hermione's arrival so they could travel into the village. Suddenly, they heard a thunder of footsteps on the stairs leading to the girls' dormitories and Hermione appeared, gasping, "Holli's down by the lake. I could see her from the window. She's reading by herself so if we hurry, we might be able to catch her." Harry jumped up from his chair and he and Hermione dragged Ron out of the portrait hole.

When they arrived at the lake minutes later, out of breath and gasping for air, Holli was still seated where Hermione had spied her. They approached her cautiously, lest she make a break for solitude once more.

"Holli," Hermione said and the girl started as she gazed up at the trio before her. Holli made a grab for her bag, but Harry was quicker and snatched it from her grasp. "Holli, we just want to talk to you for a moment. Please don't leave."

Holli gazed warily up at Hermione who dropped to her side, then moved her eyes to Ron and Harry. Harry moved to Holli's other side and sat down. Ron stayed where he was.

"Holli," Hermione said again, "I think we got off on the wrong foot before. We'd like to start over, if that would be all right with you."

"Yeah," Harry agreed. "We were wondering if you'd like to come to Hogsmeade with us today. We're heading there now.

"Or," he added as an afterthought, "we can wait if there's something you need to do before you go."

Holli moved her eyes back and forth between Hermione and Harry. "Why are you doing this?" she finally asked quietly. "What I told you the other day doesn't make any difference. You can go back to acting as though you have no idea who I am. Like I said, all I want is to graduate. So long as you quit chasing me around the castle, at least."

Hermione frowned and said, "Oh, but, Holli, that's not what we want at all! We were all just a little surprised when we first met you. We really want you to come with us. It'll be fun - for you and for us. If you don't have any fun today, then you don't have to worry about us ever again, but at least come and have a go around the village."

Holli looked at Harry who nodded then moved her gaze to the lake as she sighed. "You guys really don't have to take me with you. I'm fine by myself, I promise. I'm a big girl," she said with an undertone of bitterness in her voice that Harry and Hermione didn't quite miss.

"We want you to come with us, Holli," Harry repeated.

Holli snapped her book closed and shoved it back in her bag as she stood up. "All right," she said as she finally smiled. "Only if you insist."

"We do," both Harry and Hermione said together. They grinned at Holli as Hermione took Holli's arm and led her down the lane to Hogsmeade village.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: So, not quite a week, but pretty close, eh? Are you proud? I know I sure am! :-D

Also, I would like to say that I am in no way, shape, or form a review fiend by any means, but it would be nice if more people would tell me what they think. I get a lot of hits but I'm starting to think that people don't like it and are just hitting the back button all the time. I don't care what you think; love it, hate it, either way let me know. Tell me what I'm doing well or what I'm doing badly. Tell me what you really love or tell me what really irks you and I'll see if I can fix it. Tell me what types of improvements I can make, because no matter who you are, there is always room for that. It's how we grow, right? Thanks, everyone. I write for the pure joy of it, but you can still feed a starving artist...er, writer! :-D

Happy Holidays!