Author's Note: I do not own Harry Potter. All original characters belong to me.

Chapter One

Awake

It was nearing midnight; Stacy was sitting up in bed, her eyes reading over the words of the book she was reading. She knew she was meant to be resting, but that notion just didn't seem to want to become and action. She stole a glance at the clock; it read 11:47pm. Hermione and Ginny were both sound asleep in their beds, not disturbed by Stacy's lit tipped wand.

Stacy was staying at the Burrow right now, as a safety suggestion. Remus feared what would happen if he left her at their home alone. The last thing Remus wanted was to lose his wife and their unborn child.

Closing the book, Stacy decided to try and get some sort of sleep. But as she placed the book and her wand aside and lied herself down, she knew sleep definitely was not an option. Her body just didn't want it. So she pushed back the overs, shifted her legs around to the side of the bed and put her fest on the floor. She stood up and grabbed her dressing gown.

Stacy quietly made her way out of Ginny's room and towards the stairs to go down. She knew Mrs Weasley would be up, for Tonks had dropped by and Stacy seemed to just know that Mrs Weasley was waiting for her husband to come home. Sure enough, when Stacy entered the kitchen she saw Mrs Weasley and Nymphadora Tonks sitting down at the table, both with mugs of, probably, a hot drink, teas would be the best bet.

"Stacy," Mrs Weasley said, "You should be in bed resting, dear."

"I couldn't sleep," Stacy said, shaking her head a little.

Mrs Weasley could see the small signs of worry on the fifteen-year-old's face.

"Sit down, I'll get you a cuppa," she gently offered,

"Thank you," said Stacy.

She went over and sat next to Tonks. Tonks didn't really appear to be what she usually would. Her heart-shaped face was pale, her hair wasn't of that vibrant bubblegum pink; instead it was limp and mousy brown. Stacy knew that Tonks was missing Sirius, it was easy to see. But Stacy had also noticed flashes of slight jealousy in her direction over the past number of days, and Stacy didn't understand what she had done to get them.

But the looks weren't coming at the moment. Mrs Weasley had poured a mug of tea and gave it to Stacy.

"Thank you," said Stacy.

"No worries, dear," said Mrs Weasley, with small smile.

The three sat in silence. Time just seemed to have slowed down. Then they heard a knock on the door.

Mrs Weasley stood up and went to the door.

"Who's there?" she asked in a nervous voice. "Declare yourself!"

"It is I, Dumbledore, bringing Harry," a familiar warm voice answered from the other side.

Mrs Weasley opened the door.

"Harry, dear! Gracious, Albus, you gave me a fright, you said not to expect you before morning!"

"We were lucky," said Dumbledore, as Harry was ushered inside. "Slughorn proved much more persuadable than I expected. Harry's doing, of course. Ah, hello, Nymphadora! Anastasia!"

Harry looked around to see them.

"Hello Professor," said Tonks. "Wotcher, Harry."

"Hi Harry," said Stacy.

"Hi Tonks! Stacy!" said Harry.

"I'd better be off," Tonks said quickly, standing up and pulling her cloak over her shoulders. "Thanks for the tea and sympathy, Molly."

"Please don't leave on my account," said Dumbledore courteously. "I cannot stay; I have urgent matters to discuss with Rufus Scrimgeour."

"No, no, I need to get going," said Tonks. "Night –"

"Dear, why not come to dinner at the weekend, Remus and Mad-Eye are coming -?"

"No, really, Molly … thanks anyway … goodnight, everyone."

Tonks hurried out, passing Dumbledore and Harry. Harry looked at Mrs Weasley and Stacy, worried and confused.

"Well, I shall see you at Hogwarts, Harry," said Dumbledore. "Take care of yourself. Molly, your servant."

Dumbledore walked away.

"You're like Ron," said Mrs Weasley, examining Harry. "Both of you look as though you've had Stretching Jinxes out on you. I swear Ron's grown four inches since I last bought him school robes. Are you hungry, Harry?"

"Yeah, I am," said Harry.

"Sit down, dear, I'll knock something up."

Harry sat down next to Stacy.

"How're thinks between you and Remus?" he asked her.

"Great," said Stacy, "I'm staying here at the Burrow, because according to my dear husband, it's a lot safer. I'm actually agreeing with him, twice so far werewolves have trespassed on the forest near our house and came close. I know I'm safe with Remus, but with the others, now that the rules have gone out the window, there are those who are desperate to keep rules alive.

"Also the War has just begun, so … I think you get the picture."

Harry nodded.

"Thought of any names yet?" he asked.

Stacy shook her head. "No, we haven't. None that we agree on that is," she said.

Harry then a furry ginger cat with a squashed face jumped on to Harry's knees and settled there, purring.

"So Hermione's here?" Harry asked happily, as he tickled Crookshanks behind the ear.

"Oh yes, she arrived the day before yesterday," said Mrs Weasley, she had rapped her wand against a large iron pot. "Everyone's in bed, of course, except Stacy. We didn't expect you for hours. Here you are –"

She had the pot raise and float over to the bowl that Mrs Weasley had slipped beneath and in poured the nice, steaming, delicious smelling onion soup.

"Thank you," said Harry.

"So you persuaded Horace Slughorn to take the job?" Mrs Weasley said.

Harry nodded.

"He taught Arthur and me," said Mrs Weasley. "He was at Hogwarts for ages, started around the same time as Dumbledore, I think. Did you like him?"

Harry had his mouth full of food, so he shrugged in response. Stacy just listened quietly.

"I know what you mean," said Mrs Weasley, nodding wisely. "Of course he can be charming when he wants to be, but Arthur's never liked him much. The Ministry's littered with Slughorn's old favourites, he was always good at giving leg-ups, but he never had much time for Arthur – didn't seem to think he was enough of a high-flier. Well, that just shows you, even Slughorn makes mistakes. I don't know whether Ron's told you in any of his letters – it's only just happened – but Arthur's been promoted."

Stacy smiled at this, it was clear that Mrs Weasley was very proud of this. She all ready knew of Mr Weasley's promotion.

"I'll leave you two alone," she said politely, standing up.

"Good night, dear," said Mrs Weasley.

Stacy gave another smile and went away, she heard Harry just before she was out of earshot.

"Mr Weasley's been promoted, that's great."

Stacy walked upstairs and slipped into Ginny's room. She lied down upon the bed, on her right side and closed her eyes. This time, her body wasn't protesting. Slowly, yet surely, she found herself falling into a deep sleep.