The Second Star

Chapter Two

"When beggars die there are no comets seen;
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes ." --From Julius Caesar (II, ii, 30-31)

********************************************

Holly sighed as Professor Dumbledore stood to make some remarks. She hated Sortings, she really did. A silly hat sang while a room full of eleven year-olds was tormented by being made to wait, their fate unknown. And then there were Professor Dumbledore's speeches. True, most were amusing, but over the past few years they had gotten progressively depressing.

She wasn't really paying attention to him though. She was staring off thinking about her own Sorting. She had been worried about Harry and Ron and not really paying attention then either.

"Potter, Holly!" Professor McGonagall had called.

Holly had been so worried about Harry she didn't even hear her name. "Potter! Holly!" McGonagall repeated. Ginny had to push her before she moved.

"Go on," Ginny whispered. "I'll see you at the Gryffindor table."

Holly frowned but moved forward. McGonagall looked down on her almost kindly. Holly gave her a weak smile before she disappeared under the hat.

"Well Miss Potter, Where shall we put you?" the hat had asked.

"Are you really talking?" Holly thought.

The Sorting hat chuckled. "Only to you dear. Now, well, as tough as your brother, eh? Quite queer."

"Was Harry tough to place? I though he was all Gryffindor."

"He was, it's true. But he was also well suited for Slytherin. As are you. Though to be sure, you'd make a great Gryffindor."

"Is it really ethical for you to be talking about other students? Not that I mind. Can you tell me anything else?"

"Can't chat dear. We've a job here," the Hat responded.

"What would be better for me? What would help me more?" she finally asked.

"What house would make you better then? It's quite clear now, Slytherin!"

The last word was said out loud. Holly heard it echo. She took off the hat and handed it to Professor McGonagall, giving her another smile. The Professor gave her an odd look before managing a weak smile.

As Holly made her way to her new table, the Great Hall was oddly quiet. She saw Ginny's look of disappointment and the twins looking confused at the Gryffindor table. Hermione was giving her another appraising look (she been doing that ever since they met). She sat at the Slytherin table next to the three boys who had already been sorted into her house. Everyone was looking at her funny.

Holly was a little disappointed to be the only girl sorted into her house for her year. She wouldn't have any dorm-mates like Harry did. She also didn't have any one to talk to during the feast. The new first year boys weren't interested in talking to her. Not that she really minded. She was used to being ignored.

So Holly sat alone and let her mind wander back to where Harry was. She was really starting to worry now. Glancing up at the staff table, she caught Hagrid's eye. He smiled and gave her thumbs up. Holly smiled widely back. If Hagrid though everything was all right, than it must be.

Holly didn't even want to look at the staff table tonight. It wouldn't be right without Hagrid. Out of habit, she looked to see that Harry was safe at the Gryffindor table.

He was waiting impatiently for the Sorting to finish. Not far off, Seamus was sitting staring at her. She smiled at him, blushing a little.

The first new Slytherin brought her attention back to her table. A little girl by the name of Emily Holden slid into the seat next to her. Holly smiled at the frightened first year.

"Welcome to Slytherin," Holly whispered.

Emily looked at her searchingly before smiling slightly.

Ever since her solitary Welcome Feast, Holly made an effort to reach out to every first year. This had made her rather popular with the younger students of her house. Most of the older students were awful to her, but as sixth year, that field was rapidly narrowing.

Professor Dumbledore rose to give the start of term announcements. Next to Holly, one of the first year boy's stomachs growled loudly. She smiled kindly and told him it wouldn't be to long now. He gave an apologetic grin and turned back to the headmaster.

"I would like to welcome everyone back. And to our first years, welcome for the first time!" Holly was fairly good at reading people. She saw that the headmaster's smile was forced and his usually bright eyes were just a bit dimmer. Hagrid's death must be affecting him deeply, she thought.

"Now, as most of you know, these are hard times in the Wizarding world. To those of you only just joining us, I do not wish you to worry. You are safe at Hogwarts. You are here to learn to use your innate gifts. We know you are all capable of great things.

"However there are rules you must all follow. The Forbidden Forest on the edge of the ground is, well, forbidden. Our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to inform you that Weasley Wizards' Wheezes spraying ink quills are contraband. A full list of items is available for viewing in his office.

"Hogsmead weekend for third years and above are suspended until further notice."

Hagrid had been killed during the last Hogsmead weekend.

"And finally, last year we lost two teachers to violence. Rubus Hagrid, Professor of Care of Magical Creatures and our Keeper of Grounds and Keys and Arabella Figg our Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, were killed during a Death Eater attack at the end of last year. They will be missed greatly.

"Joining us this year will be Mister Andrew Summers as our new grounds keeper," a young man Holly recognized as a Hufflepuff who had left two years ago stood. He had light brown hair and eyes and a nice smile.

"Professor Charles Weasley will be in charge of Care of Magical Creatures classes from now on." Ron and Ginny's second oldest brother, Charlie stood. From the shocked looks on his siblings' faces, he neglected to tell them about his new job.

"And finally, those of you in fifth year and above will remember Professor Remus Lupin. He will be returning to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. You should note that if you see a large black dog roaming about, that would be Snuffles. He is with Professor Lupin." Remus stood just as the other new staff had. Holly and Harry looked at each other across the Hall. Remus was going to be at Hogwarts this year and he had brought Sirius with him, all be it in Snuffles guise.

"Well, I think that's everything," Dumbledore finished. "Everybody tuck in!"

"Is he really a werewolf?" little Emily asked.

"Who? Rem- er- Professor Lupin?" Holly asked. Emily nodded. "Oh yes," she said with a bright smile, "the best Defense teacher we've ever had too. Ruddy brilliant!"

"And you aren't at all biased are you Potter?" Pansy Parkinson, a girl in Harry's year, said cattily.

"Maybe I am, Pansy dear," Holly said in a biting tone. "But you name for me a better teach we've had, then?"

Pansy turned her pug nose up and went back to talking to a girl on her other side.

Holly laughed. "She can't, you know. Professor Lupin is a werewolf, but there were steps taken for everyone's safety. You don't have to worry."

"And his dog is so cute!" another first year girl squealed.

Holly caught sight of a long shaggy black tail wagging by Remus feet. She smiled and ate her food waiting for the feast to finish so she could go talk to Remus, Sirius, and Charlie.

As soon as the plates cleared and Dumbledore dismissed the Hall, Holly made a dash for the Head table before Remus could leave. He was sitting calmly in his chair talking with Charlie. Holly stopped in front of them and put her hands on her hips in a reproachful manner.

"Nice of you to warn us!" She said by way of greeting. "Now I can't goof-off with you around."

"Oh, when do you ever goof-off?" Harry asked coming up behind her. Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were right behind him. "Hello everyone," he said to the two new teachers and the dog. "I'm really not sure what to call you anymore. It took two years for me to stop calling Remus 'Professor' and now I have to start again."

"And I hope you don't expect us to call you Professor," Ron said to his brother.

Charlie laughed. "You'd better in classes, little brother."

***

In the Seventh year boy's dormitories in Gryffindor tower, Harry Potter sat on his windowsill with owl Hedwig keeping him company. He had just started his final year here at Hogwarts. Only ten more months left. If he lived that long, of course.

He had stayed to talk to Remus and Sirius after everyone had left. The two Marauders had some disturbing news. Voldemort was coming after Dumbledore and Hogwarts. They didn't know exactly when, be he was coming they wanted Harry to be ready. Mostly though, they wanted to look after him and Holly.

Remus had said something that disturbed him. 'Holly has so much potential and Voldemort knows it. She would be a powerful ally.' Harry had puzzled over those words. Either Remus didn't trust Holly, which was just absurd, or he suspects Voldemort might try to turn her. Being that she was an extremely powerful Slytherin, Harry suspected the latter. But Holly had such an independent streak. She never listens to him.

Harry sighed and leaned his forehead against the cool glass. Slytherin or no, Holly would never do that.

"'Arry? That you?" asked the sleepy voice of Seamus Finnigan.

"Yeah," Harry answered, "just me, Seamus. Go back to sleep."

Seamus got up and stretched. "Nah, wanted to talk to you anyway. Your alright about me and your sister right?"

"Seamus, I," Harry sighed again. "Yes, I'm fine with it. Holly's a smart girl and you're a good guy. Maybe not good enough for my sister, but then, no one is."

Seamus now joined Harry at the window. The tall Irish lad lent against the wall and followed Harry's gaze out to the grounds.

"I know what you mean. I've got a little sister too, you know."

"Really?" Harry asked. "You've never mentioned her."

"No, I don't guess I have. Maggie's a Squib. Even married to a Muggle, mum was surprised. The O'Flarretys, her family, are strong magic folk going back generations. I think she expected us both to be magic. Maggie's two years younger than me. I 'bout lost it this summer when I saw the way some of the lads looked at her."

"I know what you mean," Harry said.

"I wouldn't ever hurt her Harry, I swear," Seamus said.

"I know, Seamus. You know she's a target of Voldemort right?" Seamus had shuddered when Harry mentioned the Dark Lord's name. "You probably will be too now."

"Ah, I was anyway, half-blood that I am."

"Seamus," Harry warned, "now you're dating a Potter. Voldemort seems to take perverse pleasure from tormenting my family."

Seamus nodded. "I'll take care of her, Harry. As best I can."

"But who will take care of you?" Harry said and turned back out the window. "I have a feeling we'll all be needing a bit of extra care this year."

***

Holly got up early on the first day of classes. She was starting to actually look forward to school. With Sirius and Remus around, she was sure it would be fun.

And God she needed fun. She knew they were in the middle of a war and that she should be doing her part, but she had decided that her part was to keep Harry safe. And sane. Sane was important.

Harry had been a bit...off, after his fourth year. She had kept him from being completely self-destructive during his fifth year. When a Quidditch accident just before Christmas landed her in the Hospital Wing for a month, Harry had been so torn up about nearly losing her. He had really come back to himself. Except he had become rather over protective. Over protective Harry was not fun.

"Potter."

And then there was Seamus. Just thinking about her cute boyfriend made her smile. And Seamus himself was always smiling. Holly had very rarely seen the boy unhappy.

"Potter! Hey Potter! I'm talking to you!"

Holly looked up to see Draco Malfoy standing over her. "Give these out to the first and second years," he said handing her a stack of schedules. "And yours is on top. Snape will want to see you about Potions again, you have a conflict."

"Thanks Draco," she said absently.

The blond nodded and went to the far end of the table to sit with the other seventh years and the sixth year boys. Holly sighed. It was her own fault they excluded her now, she knew. Last year Draco would have insisted she sit with them. "You one of us, Holly. You can't help what you are."

Of course that was the same thing she told him last year after everything had happened. The simple truth was she wasn't one of them. They weren't really as bad as the Gryffindors thought though. Holly had to defend her self to her friends more than once.

After Holly passed the schedules down to their owners, she finally glanced at her own. A side from her regular subjects, Holly had taken up Divinations, Care of Magical Creatures, and Ancient Ruins. Sixth year Divinations and Seventh year Potions were being held at the same time. Unlike Harry, Holly was an extremely skilled potions brewer. And during her year alone with Aunt Petunia, Holly had read everything she could about magic. She had gotten some books in Diagon Alley too. On the day Hagrid took them.

"Miss Potter," she a low voice behind her.

Holly turned and smiled up at her Head of House and Potions Master, Professor Snape. "Good morning Professor," she said brightly.

Snape scowled at her. "I have been informed that there may be a problem with you classes."

"Yes sir," Holly said trying not to smile at the man. Nothing annoyed him so fast as her smiling at him. "It looks like if I drop Divinations there shouldn't be a problem. I do have two other electives."

"There may be another way..." Snape began.

"No," Holly said firmly. "I don't want to mess about with time. I have enough problems keeping things straight."

"But I do understand that you are rather gifted in Divinations," the surly Professor answered. "It would be a shame to fall behind. You are a year ahead in Potions."

"And I like being so," Holly answered. "We're just really getting into things I don't know! At least I didn't at the end of last year. Besides, I really don't like Divinations. It's the worst class I have."

"Very well," Snape said. "I shall see what I can do."

"Thank you sir," Holly called after his retreating form.

Watching Snape leave, she caught sight of a curly dark blond head entering the Hall nest to a curly black haired head. Holly got up, breakfast forgotten, and went over to see Seamus and Dean.

"Hey guys!" she called

Seamus smiled and embraced her. "Hey yourself," he said before kissing her. "Mmm, sausage for breakfast?"

"Yeah, it was good too," she said.

"So Holly," Dean said trying to make small talk with is best mate's girl, "got your schedule already then?"

"MmmHm," she nodded. "I might not be having Potions with you lot though."

"Why?" Seamus asked, starting to walk over to the Gryffindor table, Holly in tow. "Did they finally realize you're a year below us?"

"Ha ha, very funny, Seamus," she said. "And no, I could still kick your sorry arse in that class. No, sixth year Divinations is at the same time. I told Professor Snape I'd rather take Potions though. He's seeing what can be done."

Holly settled in at the Gryffindor table between Seamus and Ginny. Harry, Ron and Hermione were across from them and Dean was on Seamus' other side.

"So you're trying to get out of another class with me?" Ginny asked. "Gee, some friend you are."

"Really Hol-lil," Harry said helping himself to more toast, "I'd love to not be shown up by my little sister in class for once."

"Oh yes," Holly said rolling her eyes. "Mr. I-So-Great-Every-Teacher-But-One-Loves-Me. Don't get pissy with me just 'cause Snape likes me and not you."

"Snape doesn't like anyone!" Ron said.

***

Holly remembered the day in early June she got her OWL results. It was a Saturday. There was a Hogsmeade trip on that weekend. The enchanted ceiling in the Great Hall showed the sky was blue with white puffy clouds, perfect for it. She had been sitting at the Slytherin table reading again. Draco was sitting at the head of the table just to her left.

"Potter, don't the OWLs come back today?" he asked.

"Hmm," she said turning a page.

"She's probably got the best scores," said Brice Hadley, a boy in her year who played chaser for her Quidditch team.

"Of course she has," Blaise Zabini said from the seat next to her. "She's the smartest witch in the school. I bet she out does that mudblood Gryffindor."

"Blaise dear," Holly said without looking up, "You do realize that that 'mudblood Gryffindor' is my friend, don't you?"

"Momentary weakness, I'm sure," he said.

Holly finally put her book down and glared at him. "For the past five years?"

"So you're taking your time coming around," he said. Holly felt a hand on her knee. "You'll soon see your better than them."

"Blaise," Holly said carefully controlling her voice, "if you don't remove your hand from my knee you shall find it missing!"

Blaise took his hand back as though burned and the other students laughed, or in some cases, smirked at him. Before Holly could go back to her book, post owls began to fill the Great Hall. As she looked up, excitement flashed in her eyes so briefly only Draco caught it.

A large brown barn owl landed on her shoulder. Similar birds perched on every fifth year. Holly looked across the room for Ginny. Her best friend smiled and held up her envelope. The two girls had decided ahead of time to open their results at the same time. Ginny counted down on her fingers, first holding up three, then two, then one, and finally, they tore into the parchment at the same time. Holly couldn't help but smiling at her results. She looked to see Ginny had a wide grin on her face.

"How did you do, Potter?" Draco asked.

"Very well, thank you," she replied smiling. "If you'll excuse me."

Holly got up to leave followed by several shouts of, 'And how well is that?'

Ginny and Holly both got out the Entrance Hall at the same time. Ginny jumped up and hugged her friend.

"Twelve!" she said. "I've got twelve OWLs! I've tied Bill and Percy!"

"And Harry," Holly said. "And beat Ron by one."

"Yeah," Ginny said still grinning.

"Oh, you know," Holly shrugged, "it's just a test. Doesn't really matter anyway. It's the NEWTs that are really important."

"Oh Holly!" Ginny said putting her hands to her face. "I'm so sorry. Ii didn't think you wouldn't do as well as I did."

Holly just slightly smiled at friend. "Who says I didn't. Gin, I tied Hermione. I've got thirteen OWLs." She smiled broadly. "I've got thirteen OWLs!" she screamed now.

The two girls smiled and hugged enthusiastically.

***

"Miss Potter."

"Hmmm?" Holly said wrenching her eyes from the window and her thoughts from the past.

"Miss Potter, please pretend to pay attention," Professor McGonagall said to her fiercely.

"Yes, ma'am," Holly said.

"Now as I was saying..." the teacher continued.

***

"You'd better watch it, Potter, or you'll lose us House points like that," shot Brice as the sixth year Slytherins left Transfigurations.

"Forget her, Hadley," said another of the boys. "The half-blood doesn't matter. "We'll be late for lunch soon."

As they pushed past Holly, she decided she wanted to skip lunch today. Maybe she could go and see how Remus was settling in. Three minutes later, Holly was knocking on the door to Professor Lupin's office.

"Come in," he called.

Holly opened the door to find Remus had filled his office much as he had in her second year. There were cages and tanks along a wall waiting to house whatever creature Remus was going be teaching.

But he also had pictures now too. Mostly, they were of her and Harry, but there were also a number of the Marauders too. Holly saw one big picture of Remus with her parents and there friends right next to one her and Harry and their friends. The pictures were both taken after a Quidditch match outside the pitch with all the Quidditch players still in full gear. In one picture Severus Snape stood off from the group sneering slightly, in the other, Draco Malfoy was in nearly the same spot.

Holly was staring at the pictures when she said, "Is Sirius around?"

She was answered by a bark, followed by a pop. Remus had a plate of sandwiches and three goblets of pumpkin juices when she turned around.

"What's up, kid?" her godfather asked.

"Just wanted to visit with you guys," she lied taking a sandwich.

"Okay," Sirius said excepting.

Remus on the other hand was a different story. "What's wrong Holly?" he asked.

She smiled weakly. "Okay, I just wanted to see some friendly faces."

"Care to tell us why?" Sirius asked.

"Padfoot, I really don't need you attacking the boys in my class."

"What happened?" he demanded.

"Nothing!" she said. "I was just a bad day."

"Fine," Sirius mumbled.

Remus looked at them both pouting with their hands crossed. Suddenly the stoic professor burst out laughing. "I swear, it's like watching you with James, or Rose, Padfoot."

Sirius looked at the girl across from him and smiled.

"Tell me about her?" Holly asked. The two men looked like started by the question. "So many people are gone," she tried to explain. "We should remember them. I've never heard much about my aunt."

"Rose was an amazing girl," Sirius said.

"Well, that's her in the picture next to James," Remus said handing Holly the picture she was looking at earlier. "It was taken just week before she died."

"She was a Slytherin too?" Holly asked.

"Yes," Sirius said smiling. "Rose could out plot any one of us. We always forgot she wasn't in our year, as she completely kept up. It was actually her idea to become animagus for Remus. Rose couldn't stand to see him go through that alone every month. She said there had to be something we could do. And that it would be useful for other reasons."

"She was not unaware of the side benefits," Remus said. "And she loved to tell stories. She wanted to be a writer."

"Her favorite was how she got her name," Sirius said.

"How did she?" holly asked. "I mean since it's my name too. Why did she go by 'Rose' and not 'Holly?' I rather like my name."

"It was your grandmother," Remus said. "When you aunt was born, it wasn't really an easy birth. She had taken a lot of pain potions. Apparently, she wasn't in any condition to name her new daughter. She already picked out the name Rose. Unfortunately, she never told your grandfather what she had chosen. So there's Mr. Potter with a new baby daughter and nurse asking her name, and a semiconscious wife. So he does the logical thing and picks a name."

"Perfectly sensible," Sirius agrees.

"Oh what happened?" Holly asked knowing it had to be bad for the men to be defending her grandfather already.

"Well, your granddad picked a name," Sirius continued for Remus. "He was kind of at loss for how to do it, but he had a wand made of holly. He realized that Holly was a girl's name."

"He didn't," Holly said eyes wide.

"He did," Remus chuckled. "I believe your grandmother's response was, 'You named my daughter after your wand?! For Christ's sake it's a bloody phallic symbol!' Rose said that was the reason your grandparents didn't have anymore children."

***

Holly felt better after her lunch with Remus and Sirius. She was able to ignore her classmates for the remainder of the day. They in turn, ignored her.

As soon as it was time for dinner, Holly practically ran to the Great Hall. She was okay after her lunch with Remus and Sirius, but she really wanted to have an actual conversation with someone else.

She skidded to a stop when she heard a frightened squeak coming from a dungeon classroom.

"Aw, poor little first year half-blood!" sneered Blaise Zabini.

"I, I, I'm not," said the tiny voice of Emily Holden.

"Shit!" Holly swore running back to the room not five feet behind her. "Emily!" she called loud enough for them to hear.

"Holly!" the girl practically screamed as the older girl threw open the door.

What Holly saw literally made her sick. Blaise, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle were standing menacingly over Emily who was bound by magical ropes.

Holly stormed over the little girl and stood in front of her as the ropes magically disappeared. She glared up at the older boys. Crabbe and Goyle look dumbly surprised. Blaise looked excited. He smiled at her.

"Merlin's beard Blaise!" Holly said in a rage. "It's her first day. She doesn't know anything yet. Why not pick on someone with a bit more bite?"

"A challenge," he said. "I could have some fun with you, Holly."

"You could try," Holly said. She put a hand protectively on Emily and shoved the girl further behind her.

Blaise put his hand on her face. Holly jerked away. Blaise sneered at her. "What? Not good enough for you? You need a perfect Gryffindor? Because you know how they see Slytherin girls."

"Get out of here, Blaise," she warned, voice low and cruel.

"Maybe they're right, then?" Blaise said grabbing her roughly.

Holly kneed him in the groin.

"I've told you before not to touch me," she said sweeping Emily away.

Neither Crabbe nor Goyle seemed to know what to do the girls were out of the room before the brutes even turned. The first thing Holly saw was Draco Malfoy standing coolly opposite the door, leaning against the wall and looking in at what was happening.

"You should control them better," she said. "Hurting a first year in their own house? You'll draw attention to yourselves."

"I know," he sighed. "I had wondered what they were up to. That's why I came looking. Luckily you stopped them from doing anything stupid. Is she all right?" Draco nodded at Emily, who ducked further behind Holly. "Apparently not."

"She was just attacked by three seventh year boys," Holly said harshly. "Of course she's not all right. What would you have done if they tried some thing on me and I couldn't help her?"

"They did," Draco reminded. "Or Blaise did at least. And I was here by then. I'd have stopped them if it were necessary."

"Sure you would have Malfoy," Holly hissed, her eyes narrowing. "Tell you cronies that is they ever try anything like that again to another student, especially a Slytherin, they'll have me to deal with."

As Holly lead Emily away, Draco called after them, "What? You'd not run for a teacher?"

"They'd wish I had," Holly called back before disappearing from view.