Harry Potter and the Fortress of Darkness

Ch. 2 Head Boy and Girl

"Okay Harry, what do you want to do first?" asked Hermione as they sat up in their bedroom. "Read the rest of our homework for Advanced Transfiguration or work on our Potions Essay?"

"I'd prefer the reading, but the essay is way too important. So let's do that."

Before they could do anything though, about five owls swooped into the open window and landed on Hermione's bed.

"Mail's here," said Harry. They found their letter from Ron, who was in Romania with his family visiting Charlie, the eldest Weasley.

Bill Weasley, who worked for Gringotts, married Fleur Delacour, one of Harry's opponents in the Tri-Wizard Tournament in his fourth year, last year.

"That's awesome! How exciting for Ron!" said Hermione.

Harry and Hermione laughed at their friend's amusement and continued to read.

Hermione smiled as he opened his present while she opened up her Hogwart's letter. She gave a little shriek as a badge fell out.

"HARRY! I'm Head Girl!" she cried.

"It was obvious though wasn't it?" he said laughing as he opened his. A badge fell out of his and Hermione shrieked and tackled him.

"I KNEW IT, I KNEW IT!" she cried, smothering him with kisses

"Are we gonna have a repeat of fifth year almost?" asked Harry laughing.

"Not even close," she said, kissing him again. They read a letter from Hagrid with of his famous rock cakes wrapped in a box. Lupin and Tonks, who were married last year as well, sent Harry a Muggle gift certificate to Old Navy, ("Buy some clothes with it," read the letter. Harry groaned. "What is it with people making me buy or giving me clothes?!") and a new set of gobstones.

* * *

Meanwhile, at the Heathrow London Airport, 17 year-old Jessica Black stood in line at Customs, waiting to be approved. She had sent her owl on ahead to her mother's house before she had gotten to LaGuardia. She handed her passport to the customs attendant.

"How long are you staying here Miss Black?"

"I was actually born a UK citizen, but I went to boarding school over in the States. I'm home for good."

"Well then, welcome home, Miss Black. Anything I can do for you?" She winked at her and Jessica gaped at her. She looked around and no one was near them. She must have been last in line.

"You're a witch?" she whispered.

"Yes Jessica and a dear friend of your father's, god rest his soul. I believe Lupin is going to pick you up." With that she stamped Jessica's passport and smiled as she handed it back to her.

"Jessica?" called a voice.

She turned and saw Remus Lupin smiling as he looked at her.

"UNCLE MOONY!" she cried and jumped into a bear hug from him.

"Your mum couldn't make it, so she sent me to fetch you. Are you all set?"

"Yeah I'm good." Then she whispered, "Who's the witch at customs?"

"That's Mae, she takes care of all the wizards and witches who come into Customs. She knows everyone."

"Well, she seems to know Dad."

"Oh yeah, she was at Hogwarts with us. She was one year above us."

"Cool! I'm hungry. Is there a McDonald's around this joint?"

"McDonald's?" asked Lupin.

"For Pete's sake, Uncle Moony, where have you been? McDonald's is the greatest Muggle fast-food chain around!"

"And I suppose you know where there is one? Your mum is expecting us for tea."

"Well, the sooner we leave, the sooner we can find one and I can eat. I'm starving!"

Remus smiled as he helped her grab her belongings from the baggage claim.

"Just like your father," he said as they walked out front to a ministry car.

* * *

"Jess! My baby! Oh I missed you so much!"

"MUM!" she shrieked as Jess' mother smothered her with hugs and kisses. Lupin and Tonks laughed as Jess struggled to get out of her mother's grasp.

"She was like this to your father when he escaped you know. He came to see her while he was in hiding and she did the same exact thing," said Tonks. "Wotcher, Jess."

The group laughed as jess wriggled out of Arabela's grasp.

"What time are Harry and Hermione coming over, Bella?" asked Remus

"4 o'clock," said Arabella.

"Good, we'll explain everything to him then," said Lupin. He looked at his watch. It was nearly four.

"They'll be here in a few minutes then," he said. Sure enough, the doorbell rang five minutes later and Harry and Hermione were greeted by Lupin, Arabella and Tonks at the door.

"Happy birthday Harry!" they cried. "Hi Hermione!"

"Hi Mrs. Figg, Hi Lupin, Hi Tonks," they said.

"Shall we have our tea then?" asked Arabella.

They walked into the kitchen, where Jess was sipping her tea, and Harry and Hermione stopped in their tracks.

"Hi Harry, hi Hermione," said Jess, sipping her tea.

"Who are you?" asked Hermione.

"Harry, Hermione, meet my daughter, Jessica Marie Black," said Arabella.

"BLACK?!" they cried.

"As in Sirius?!" asked Harry.

"Yes, Sirius was my father," said Jess.

"But Arabella, how were you and Sirius-?!"

"I am not a squib Harry, I am a witch, but I stopped using magic after Sirius was sent to Azkaban. I casted a spell on myself to make me look old. I am actually the same age as Remus. Sirius and I were married a year out of Hogwarts and when I found out that I was pregnant, your mum was about 3 months ahead of me in term."

"So that means you're my-"

"Godmother? Yes, I am."

Harry hugged Arabella and cried into his arms, letting a wave of relief out. Lupin wiped a tear from his eye and Tonks smiled as they embraced.