A.N.: Ahoy mateys! I have finally finished this! FINALLY! dances with joy I absolutely love this chapter. Please note that it is the last chapter to year three, and I will be starting a new story with year four. I dedicate this, as usual, to JO for her more than amazing beta skills and encouragement, and Nat, for keeping me grounded and annoying the hell out of me to finish it :P.

IMPORTANT: There has been a MAJOR change to chapter one! Go read it to understand the ending to this!

"-and that's how we did it," finished Hermione.

I closed my eyes, not only from the blinding afternoon sun, but also from what Hermione had told me. "Well," I croaked, "I s'pose that Time-Turner was useful."

"Now that's an understatement," yawned Ron. He looked longingly out the window. "Do you know when Pomfrey will let you out of here?"

"Probably never," I said. "How long was I out? Almost two days?"

"Something like that," said Harry distractedly.

I wasn't a complete idiot. I knew I had to talk to Harry about our 'relationship' or whatever. I remembered what had transpired during the Connection and the revelation that came to me. I thought of Harry as just a best friend and nothing more and I knew I had to tell him. I was just so afraid of being alone. I felt as though if we broke up, we couldn't be friends anymore, and Ron and Hermione would side with him. It'd be just like when I lived in Canada, my only friends being my parents, and they didn't even live with me during the year anymore.

I had to think of a way to talk to him without Ron and Hermione around. That would have been much too humiliating; I would never hear the end of it from Ron. I looked at them both before clearing my throat. "Could you two go ask Madam Pomfrey if I can leave soon? I'm getting really sick of being here."

I looked pleadingly at Hermione. She nodded discreetly before dragging Ron out of his chair. He opened his mouth to retort but was promptly hushed by a beautifully timed glare from Hermione. Once out of sight, I could hear them bickering quietly. I sighed and glanced at Harry. He sat still as a statue, staring into space. "You feeling okay?" I asked. Smooth, Mina, really smooth.

"I don't know. I mean, I know it was ridiculous to get my hopes up and everything, but I really thought it was my dad I was seeing across the lake," he sighed dejectedly.

"How is that ridiculous? You've never met your dad, and then you think you see him. So then you think there might be a chance you will get to meet him after all and finally have a family." He said nothing so I continued. "Am I right?"

He looked away. "You really shouldn't go in other people's heads."

I rolled my eyes. "I didn't. I said those things because I imagine that's what went through your head at the time. It would have been the same for me if I had been in your shoes, that's all. It's called empathy." I nudged him. "Besides, give me a little credit, won't you?"

Harry said nothing and I thought for a brief moment that I had offended him somehow until he patted my hand awkwardly. "Thanks."

I sighed again. "You know what, Harry?"

He looked at me with fearful eyes at my tone of voice. "What?"

"I don't... uh... that is, I..." I suddenly lost my confidence. I sat up straight. "It's weird, isn't it?"

"What is?"

"This. Us." He blinked. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes again. Instead, I gestured vaguely from him to me. "You know, us. Together." My cheeks heated from embarrassment at the thought.

"Oh, that." He swallowed and I was happy to see his cheeks burn too. "Yeah, I guess it is."

"I wonder why. Why it's weird, that is." I hoped Harry would get the hint that I wanted us to be just friends. Of course, being Harry, he probably wasn't very observant when it came to girls. "Well, maybe it's... do you ever want to kiss me, Harry?"

He took off his glasses and wiped them on his jeans, slowly. "Uh..."

So much for Harry getting the hint, I sighed inwardly. "Because, well, as of late, I don't know if you've noticed, I mean, I hardly noticed myself, what with everything going on, but... I don't really want to."

"Want to what?"

"Kiss you. I don't want to kiss you anymore."

"But boyfriends and girlfriends have to kiss."

"Exactly."

"I don't see what this has to-" He stopped himself mid-sentence. "Oh. Oh, I get it now." He suddenly looked very relieved, as if a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Part of me felt a little hurt that I was a burden to him but I squished that thought. I had thought he was a burden too, after all.

"Yeah. It's... well, do you agree?"

This time, I didn't need to explain anything. He caught on. "Yeah. Yeah, I reckon I do." He shifted in his seat and frowned worriedly. "We can still be friends though, right?"

I grinned, happy that Harry still wanted to be friends with me. "Duh! Only the best," I winked. We then started talking about the summer vacation and things weren't forced or awkward anymore. Saying I was relieved was an understatement. Harry didn't want to talk about his summer much, but once I said I'd help him escape the Dursleys, he opened up. Ron and Hermione came back a few minutes later with Madam Pomfrey hot on their heels.

"-and stop pestering me about her release! I will tell her myself when she's ready to leave!" she huffed angrily.

"Madam Pomfrey, I am feeling a lot better now," I said as energetically as I could.

"Nonsense! Your hair is still black and until I figure out why and how to fix it, you're not moving."

"But look! It's fading back to its original colour as we speak!"

The strict woman bent down and picked up a few strands of my dark brown hair. Sighing, she handed me a large piece of chocolate. "Eat this and we'll see."

I eyed the chunk of brown mass in her hand with disdain. I had eaten more than enough chocolate in the past few hours than I would ever want to. "Couldn't I just do a jig or something?"

"Don't push your luck, girl. Eat the chocolate."

It was several hours until I could finally go join my friends down by the lake. Walking in the Entrance Hall, I saw Harry run past me. I yelled his name, but he just kept going. Shrugging, I continued my trek down to the lake, where Hermione and Ron sat quietly, whispering together. "I saw Harry on my way here," I said to them. They both looked preoccupied. Hermione was biting her lip and Ron was ruffling his hair nervously. "What's the matter?"

"It's Professor Lupin," she said. My eyes went wide, thinking that maybe he had bitten someone or- "Oh no, it's not that. He... he resigned his teaching post here."

My heart stopped beating. "No... You're kidding. Tell me you're kidding."

Ron and Hermione shook their heads. No wonder Harry was in such a hurry, I thought distractedly. "Apparently word got out about his lycanthropy," continued Hermione.

Ron scoffed. "Snape told the Slytherins this morning after he found out Black had escaped. He probably thought Lupin helped him."

"So he's resigning just because of that?" I said, my throat tightening. My eyes began to sting and I rubbed them impatiently. Ron and Hermione remained silent, both avoiding my gaze. "I've got to find him..." I turned away from them, heading towards the castle. "I have to tell him it shouldn't matter..." A few tears slipped down my red cheeks as I saw Lupin, levitating his trunk behind him. It flew into the carriage and he looked back at the castle dejectedly. "Professor! Professor, wait!" I called out. He turned to face me and I ran at him, throwing my arms around his waist. He stumbled back a little but quickly regained his balance. "You're not really leaving, are you?" I said, sniffling. He squeezed me tight and patted my back, which was answer enough. I knew it was true.

"I'm afraid so," he whispered. "I have no choice."

"Yes you do!" I cried. "You don't have to go, there's nothing that stops you from staying!"

"Unfortunately there is. As I've explained to Harry, tomorrow morning Hogwarts will be swarmed with owls from angry and worried parents, requesting an explanation from Professor Dumbledore as to why he would ever consider hiring a werewolf."

"But-"

"Ever heard of Dolores Umbridge?" he asked. His eyes blazed as he spoke the woman's name. I shook my head. "Ask your parents about them and you'll understand."

"Will I be able to owl you?" I looked up and he smiled down at me.

"I'm not sure. It depends what the future holds in store for me. I've been in worse scenarios than this, although that's hardly comforting. I'll survive, I promise you that."

I let go of him and stepped back, wiping my eyes furiously. "S'not fair."

"It never is, but moments like these make it alright." A watery laugh escaped me and we both laughed. His amber eyes sparkled and I almost sobbed again when I remembered it might be the last time I ever saw him.

"Thank you, Professor. For everything."

"It feels as though I should be thanking you, Mina. You and Harry have been the best things in my life for a long time, and with the help of Ron and Hermione, you gave me my best friend back, even for a short time. Therefore, I thank you."

"Consider it even, Professor."

"Also, I think you can stop calling me Professor, as I am no longer your teacher."

I frowned. "But what would I call you?"

"I'm not sure," he laughed, pushing his fringe of greying hair out of his eyes. "I never really thought about that. We'll discuss it next time we meet. Goodbye, Mina."

I quickly hugged him before he climbed aboard the Thestral-drawn carriage. "Goodbye!" I waved, chasing down the carriage until I could no longer run. I waved energetically, hoping I'd see him again.

I finally returned down to the lake, where Ron and Hermione were talking. Ron, laying on his back, pointing occasionally to the sky while Hermione craned her neck up. I remembered Hermione denying any crush on Ron she might have (which she told me she didn't have) and when I looked at the roof of her bunk, the Ron collage was gone. Knowing I'd never figure out the spell to make the pictures reappear (if they were still there, which I'm pretty sure they were), I let it slide.

But now, watching her across the lake, I had that nagging feeling that told me she did. Still crush on Ron, that is. I'd never seen Hermione flirt, and I doubted I ever would, but her shy smile was as close to flirting as she'll ever get. Even more shocking, she was tucking her hair behind her ear! Tucking her hair! Behind her ear! Ladies and gentlemen, please stay calm, I thought. As I got closer, I could vaguely hear their conversation.

"You're kidding," Ron said, laughing.

Hermione flushed angrily. "No, I am not kidding, Ronald. I've never been one for such childish games as skipping rocks over vast expanses of water."

Hey! I skip rocks over vast expanses of water too, I thought. Funny the things people say when they're insulted.

Ron tried to stop laughing, he really did, but, well, it was Ron. "Sorry, Hermione," he laughed. "It's okay, you know. Not to be able to skip rocks." He sat up and Hermione dusted his shoulders absentmindedly. He stiffened, and turned to look at her, eyes wide. Hermione's hand stilled, and she looked up at Ron with the same wide eyes. I didn't understand what was so horrifying about dusting a friend's shoulder off. I dusted Harry and Ron's shoulders all the time.

"Sorry," she mumbled, turning away from him, hand retreating to her lap.

"Don't worry about it," he muttered, his cheeks Weasley red.

Dumbfounded by their odd display of discomfort, I resisted the temptation to smack them both across the head and ask them what was wrong with them. Instead, I sighed and decided to turn to head back to Gryffindor Tower and maybe start reading The Chronicles of Narnia.

I scrambled into the portrait hole. Just as I reached the other end, Katie Bell and her Chaser friends, Angelina and Alicia, were making their way out. She raised her eyebrow at me and I crawled backwards, jaw clenched. "After you, Katie," I said stiffly, bowing dramatically.

"Thank you so much, Mina, you're a dear," she said sweetly, patting my head. I swallowed any smart retorts whendid this start. Kinda caught me off guard.

It wasn't that I had a problem with bullies. Katie Bell was just... hostile towards me. I figured if I was nice to her, she'd be nice with me. Of course, going through a year of giving honey only to receive vinegar has taken its toll on me so to speak. At first, it was hardly anything, but this last month went from bad to worse. It became a general rule that we avoided each other. That was easy enough; she was a year ahead of me, Quidditch player, popular with everyone. I hung out at the library with Hermione of my own free will and was officially a school weirdo because of my Connection display at the Quidditch match. Not to mention I was friends with Ron Weasley, the ordinary every-day guy that wasn't anywhere as cool as his brothers, and Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. My gang of friends consisted of a bunch of misfits, but they were MY misfit friends.

I came back down to the empty common room, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe tucked safely in the crook of my elbow. I sat down in an armchair by the open window overlooking the lake, to see if Ron and Hermione were still there, which they were. I watched them for a few minutes, but they soon bored me and I began reading.

Over the next few days, I didn't really know what to do with myself. Harry sat by the window most of the time, lost in thought, while Ron challenged everyone and anyone to chess games (never mind that he would always win; it was how he slaughtered everyone that mattered). Hermione ran from the Gryffindor tower to the library, bringing back books she'd forgotten she had, or hurrying to see a Professor about a certain question she realised she never asked. I stuck around each of them in turns. It was too early to start packing (except for Hermione, who was already done) and I didn't have the second Chronicles of Narnia with me. I didn't think I'd get that far in my reading list, but all that extra time in the Hospital Wing helped.

"Where is that book?" muttered my best friend under her breath as I sat on my bed, leafing through the latest copy of Witch Weekly with Parvati and Lavender.

Lavender popped her Drooble's Everlasting Gum loudly and rolled her eyes. "Which one, Hermione? You must have had a dozen or two in here."

Parvati snickered. "Oh, more than that. A dozen wouldn't last till lunch, and two would hardly get her through the day!"

Hermione flushed but ignored them. I closed the magazine and handed it to Parvati. "I'm done, thanks."

Parvati seemed surprised to have me finish reading it so quickly. In all honesty, I didn't feel like being near Lavender, and even though I wasn't quite finished reading the magazine, I didn't want to anymore. Their giggling was getting on my nerves. Shrugging, Parvati dragged Lavender off my bed. "Come on, Lav. Let's go see what Seamus and Dean are up to."

Once they were gone, Hermione flopped on her bed. "Honestly, two dozen books in one day? Hardly truthful."

"Well, it was during exam period, and when you had projects to hand in, or when you wanted to do extra credit work and even when-"

"Alright, I see your point," she sighed. There was a slight pause before she spoke again. "I just have to give it my best, all the time, no matter what."

"It nearly wore you out, Hermione! Even after you dropped Divination, it's like you took on more work to compensate for it. Well, if this year was bad, I don't know how you're going to do it next year."

She sat up in the blink of an eye. "Goodness! Next year? I could never go through that for another full year!"

I sat up and swung my legs over the side of my bed. "Well, what are you going to do about it?"

"I-I don't know," she stuttered, panicked. "I suppose I have to drop a subject, but which one? Not Arithmancy, that's for sure... Muggle Studies, maybe? Oh, but it's so interesting..." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. Sighing, she stood and picked up her bag. It was still loaded with textbooks and parchment rolls. "I'm going to talk with Professor McGonagall about it. I'll see you at lunch!"

"Yeah, see you at lunch," I waved. She tripped over a stack of books and fell. Trying not to laugh, I asked if she was alright.

"Yes, I'm fine." She got up and dusted herself off. She picked up one of the textbooks from the floor and read the title. "Muggle Studies? I thought I'd brought these back already. Would you mind bringing these back to the library?"

"Yes, actually, I would mind."

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please, with a cherry on top?"

"Make it a strawberry and I'll go."

"Done! Thank you!"

"Yes, yes," I said, mockingly reluctant, small smile tugging at my lips.

"Bye!"

I waved again distractedly, wondering how I was going to bring back seven large Muggle Studies textbooks all by myself without using magic. Sighing, I piled them up and heaved them into my arms.

I walked slowly down the steps, occasionally stopping to make sure I didn't trip over something. Once in the common room, I noticed a slight problem: the portrait hole. How on Earth am I going to crawl through with these books? I thought. The portrait hole swung open and Fred and George fell through, laughing. I thanked Merlin I hadn't been standing closer or they would have fallen right on me.

"Poor, poor Filch," wheezed Fred, clutching his sides.

"No matter how hard he tries-" said George.

"-he'll never get the best of us!" they said together, both cracking up. Eventually their laughter died down and they noticed me standing there, face hidden behind a tower of books. "Ahoy there, Mina!"

"Ahoy there, Cap'ns," I said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"What be you doin' with 'em books, lass?" continued George.

I rolled my eyes, not that they could see me doing it. "I be bringin' 'em back to ther home, Cap'ns," I said. "The library be me destination. But I be finding meself in a bit of a pickle, see. Can't get through that there portrait hole."

"Aye, we be seein' that," agreed Fred. "Methinks we can help the lass, Cap'n."

"Me be o' the same opinion, Cap'n," said George.

"Okay, enough," I laughed. "No more pirate talk."

"Nay, lass, pirate talk be the way in these here castle walls."

"But please, let us Cap'ns unburden yer load."

As soon as George had said it, five of Hermione's books were lifted from my arms and I could finally see the twins. Fred with three books, George with two, their hair was askew, robes windswept. They grinned at me. I decided as curious as I was, I didn't want to know. Which is the case most of the time, I thought, amused. "Come along then, lass," said Fred.

Once in the halls, the boys went into pirate-mission mode. One twin on each side, I tried walking as though I didn't have two goofballs circling around me, ready for anything.

"We be the crew o' mighty Gryffindor, but you can be sure slippery Slytherins be bound fer our destination," whispered Fred. I shook my head, hugged the books to my chest and sped up, head bowed.

"Matey Mina be on the move, Cap'n!"

"Aye aye, Cap'n! Wind in the sails, says I.."

I hoped they would stop once in the library, but once again, that proved to be too much to ask. I was almost at the drop-off place for books when I heard Fred lunge at another student.

"Y'argh! If it ain't Cap'n Jordan," said one.

"Aye, havast!" said the other. "T's got a ring to it, it does, Cap'n Jordan."

"What's with the pirate talk, lads?" asked a confused Lee. He glanced at me and I shrugged.

"I have no idea, but they're having fun. Mind keeping them busy for a while?"

"Nah, I don't mind at all. I've been wondering where they went anyway, after we set that trap on Filch and his awful cat."

"Boys, thank you for taking Hermione's books here for me, but now off you go to play pirates elsewhere before Madam Pince catches you." I turned them around and pushed them off towards the door.

"We can't be leaving you! You be needing protection from them slippery Slytherins!" said George.

"Trust me, George, I can take on a couple of Slytherins."

"Aye, we be a-goin', Cap'n George. Where be your loyalties?" demanded Fred.

"My loyalties lie with the damsel, methinks. See you scoundrels and black sheeps at lunch-hour at the Great Hall Port!"

Fred and Lee left the library, singing some absurd song about rum and swaying back and forth. George took it upon himself to take Fred's share of the books from my weakling arms. We dropped them in the drop-off chute. Madam Pince shot George a dirty look and when he opened his mouth to explain, I told him I didn't want to know. He merely grinned cheekily at me before grabbing my arm and dragging me out of the library when I took interest in the Muggle section. "What other chores did Hermione give you?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You weren't taking Muggle Studies, so I figure Hermione told you to bring these back for her."

I stopped walking. "'Told' me? She asked me," I said indignantly.

He threw up his arms in surrender. "Alright, alright, I believe you," he grinned. We walked in silence, which was a feat in itself. I didn't know where we were going since lunch wasn't for another hour or two. "So."

"So," I repeated.

"I hear you and Harry broke each other's hearts."

"That's kinda dramatic. We, uh, just fell apart in the romantic sense. We're still best friends."

"You can't be friends with your old lovers, even I know that," he smirked.

"We weren't 'lovers'! Not really," I added at his disbelieving stare. "I mean, we kissed a few times, but it... it really wasn't... wasn't amazing, you know? It was nice enough, pleasant even, but no spark, no fireworks... nothing other than lip-to-lip contact."

"Well, I'm happy with that," he said, slinging his arm over my shoulder and smothering me into his side. It was oddly comforting, not that I needed comforting in the first place. "That means I don't have to kick his arse for breaking your heart. Although having to kick the arse of the Boy Who Lived could have some unwanted side effects."

"It probably would," I agreed. "The entire Wizarding population would want you dead, and since they wouldn't be able to tell you and Fred apart, they'd do you both in."

"Probably would turn out that way," he chuckled. His arm dropped back down to his side, frowning slightly. "It gets a bit annoying, sometimes."

"Being a twin?"

"Being a ninety-nine percent-ly identical twin. Physically, anyway." He sighed deeply and he was smiling again. "Hey Ginny," he called out, waving her over.

"Hello brother, hey Mina," she greeted. "What are you up to?"

We shrugged. "Nothing much, really. George helped me bring back Hermione's Muggle Studies textbooks and now we're just wandering. You?"

"Hermione made me bring back her extra Dark Creatures books," she groaned, rubbing her shoulders. I patted her arm sympathetically. "Anyway, I was going to go and borrow a school broom. Up for a little Quidditch?"

George laughed. "Yeah, right Ginny. You don't play Quidditch."

"Shut up, George!" she huffed and slapped his arm. She crossed her arms over her chest, challenging him. "For all you know, I might."

This made George laugh even harder. "You might... NOT!" He continued to laugh while Ginny fumed. "Well, have fun trying to fly! Flap your wings, little Weasley! I believe in you! Ta!" He left heading for the Entrance Hall.

"Sometimes I could just kill him," said Ginny angrily, pacing the corridor. "He's never even seen me on broom!"

"How come? Don't you play Quidditch with them?"

"No, I don't," she snapped. "None of them will let me near their brooms, and Mum thinks that Quidditch is a guy sport. She doesn't make them share. Ron has a hard enough time already to get them to share."

"That sucks," I said. Somewhere inside I felt guilty being allowed to play when I didn't want to, and her and Ron couldn't.

"We don't have enough money to buy brooms for all of us either, so just imagine if I wanted to play too. You're lucky to have your own broom."

"Yeah, I know."

"Still want to play? Colin, Neville and Luna are going to play too, and they're out looking for other players as well. I had to really beg Neville, and I doubt Luna will be any good, but Colin's alright most of the time."

"Sounds good. I haven't played in a long time," I grinned. "Maybe I'll get Harry, Ron and Hermione to play too."

"Great! We'll meet you at the pitch. I reserved it, so we won't be bothered."

I hurried to my trunk in Gryffindor Tower. I grabbed my Nimbus 2001 and ran to the common room. Ron was playing chess against Hermione while Harry stared out the window. "You guys up for scrimmage Quidditch? Ginny reserved the pitch," I said breathlessly.

Ron stayed still, made a move and grinned at Hermione. "Checkmate," he said. Hermione crossed her arms over her chest angrily. Still grinning, he looked at me. "What's this about Quidditch?"

"Wanna play? There's a bunch of us getting together at the pitch to play," I repeated.

Ron's face lit up. "Really? That'd be great! You coming, Harry?"

Harry shook his head. "No thanks."

Hermione sat next to him. "Harry, it would do you a lot of good to play a bit of friendly Quidditch."

"Friendly?" Ron snorted. "Hardly. Scrimmage games are just as rough as any, almost more."

"You're kidding?" said Hermione, surprised.

"Look, Harry, this is one of the last chances you'll get to fly before being sent off to the Dursleys'." Ron and Hermione stared at me as if I'd gone mad. None of us really ever mention the Dursleys but this was a desperate way of getting Harry out of his thoughts. "Merlin knows how long it'll be before Mr. Weasley can get you to the Burrow. Shouldn't you be enjoying your few days here rather than skulking around and wasting them?"

The common room was eerily quiet and I suddenly felt very uncomfortable. Not only was what I'd just said completely hypocritical since I tended to skulk myself, but a bit out of line. Harry stood and faced me, his face unreadable. Then, he grinned. "Fine," he sighed, with mock dramatic. "If you're going to force me to play outside, I might as well go willingly."

"Oh, Harry, it'll do you the world of good," beamed Hermione.

Harry smirked. "But Hermione has to play too."

Hermione paled. "No. No, no, no. I won't do it," she squeaked.

Laughing, Harry went to get his broom.

Ginny and Colin were arguing about something. Luna was staring dreamily at blades of grass while Neville stood there awkwardly. Dean was there too, surprisingly, as well as Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott from Hufflepuff.

"Two Chasers, one Seeker and a Keeper!" shouted Colin.

"Three Chasers and a Keeper!" yelled Ginny, her face red.

"I wonder if they'll ever decide," I said to Dean.

He looked over and checked out my Nimbus. "Nice broom," he said.

"Thanks." I glanced towards Ginny. She wore a murderous look. "What are they arguing about?"

"How we should assign positions. Ginny wants to play with three Chasers and a Keeper, but Colin thinks we should have a Seeker," explained Susan.

"Personally, I think we should play with three Chasers, in case none of us can catch the Snitch," suggested Hannah loudly.

"There!" said Ginny triumphantly. "See, Colin? That's common sense right there!"

Colin flushed. "Fine! Three Chasers and a Keeper," he agreed reluctantly.

"You know, we could play with Seekers. Harry's coming down, and I'm pretty sure one of us is as good as him. Maybe. Kinda... not really, but we'll have enough players for Seekers as well as three Chasers," I said.

"Harry's coming?" asked Ginny, her face betraying little emotion.

I nodded and she nodded too, but more slowly, as if thinking.

"How do we pick teams?" asked Neville timidly.

"We'll make two Captains and then they'll pick," said Ginny at the same time that Colin said, "By talent so it's fair." They looked at each other and looked like they were going to argue. Hannah, Dean and Susan groaned.

"By Merlin, let's just get two teams and play!" I said impatiently.

"If you've got a better idea, tell us," replied Colin hotly. He clamped his hands over his mouth when he saw me. "Sorry! I didn't mean to yell at you!"

I stared at him. "Whatever. How about Ginny, Neville, Dean and me on one team and the rest on the other? At least until Harry, Ron and Hermione come down."

Susan shook her head. "No, that wouldn't be fair. We've seen you fly a bit, and you're pretty good, and Dean's a fast flyer even if he can't catch worth a Knut."

"Yeah, and I'm no good at all," said Neville in a small, defeated voice. "It balances out."

I turned to face him. "Don't say that, Neville! You just need a bit of practice."

"Besides, the only reason I can't catch is because I'm used to football and no one uses their hands in football!" said Dean.

"Yeah, they do," I said, having watched a bit of football at a Muggle friend's house in Canada.

"No they don't," snorted Dean. "I would know. You kick the black and white ball around, eleven players on the field, does that ring a bell?"

"Oh! You mean soccer, don't you?"

"I don't understand why you folks call it soccer. I mean, where's the connection?"

Luna stood slowly, swaying a little. "Yes, I think it is very strange as well."

That coming from Luna made everyone break out in laughter. "We'll never actually get to playing at this rate," said Dean, laughing.

Eventually, when Harry, Ron and Hermione arrived, we split into teams. Hermione refused to play. She became the referee, both feet planted firmly on the ground. Ron, Hannah, Dean, Luna and Harry played against Neville, Ginny, Colin, Susan and me. Needless to say, Luna was simply terrible. Neville wasn't bad, but he was much too scared of falling off the broom to pay attention to the Quaffle. Hannah had trouble with her balance. Susan and Colin weren't too bad; they just lacked good reflexes. True to his word, Dean was fast with quick reflexes, but couldn't catch. Harry was brilliant, of course. He must've caught the Snitch a dozen times to end each game but the last one. Ginny caught it, meaning our team won a single game. She played wonderfully as well; she wasn't a fast player, but she could see strategies better than anyone. The person who surprised me the most was Ron. He played Keeper on Harry's team and he made fantastic saves. Unfortunately, he let our teasing get to him. Ginny was the worse for that, but all's fair during scrimmage Quidditch!

We picnicked out on the pitch after Ginny and Colin went to the Great Hall to grab sandwiches for everyone. They stuffed food in a picnic basket Hermione conjured. Thank Merlin for that or we would have starved! We continued to play until supper time, at which point we dragged our feet to the Great Hall, laughing and yelling happily.

Exam results were posted on the last day of term. Harry, Hermione, Ron and I had passed every subject. Harry seemed surprised that he had passed Potions.

"I bet Dumbledore had a hand in this," said Harry, still in shock.

Ron shrugged. "Probably. Snape really hates you now, doesn't he?"

"Ron, Professor Snape does not hate anyone," she scolded. "He just has a certain... dislike for Harry, that's all."

"That doesn't really make it any better, Hermione," I laughed.

Gryffindor House won the House Championship, thanks to the Quidditch Cup. When we entered the Great Hall, I gasped. It was extravagantly decorated with scarlet and gold. I sat between Ginny and Hermione, Ron and Harry were in front of us. We cheered loudly, ate lots and when it was time to head to bed, I was hardly tired at all. In fact, the entire Gryffindor house seemed ready to party a little. Even Percy, Head Boy enthusiast, let loose. Oliver Wood and him, who were surprisingly, close friends, rallied the younger students into loud choruses of the Hogwarts theme song. I hadn't heard it before, but quickly learned the words. Finally, the less organized ones started heading up to their dorms to do some last minute packing and the less spirited ones went to sleep. Hermione pushed Ron and Harry up to their dorms and dragged me to ours for a full night's sleep.

Of course, once up there, Lavender and Parvati were still packing. Their things were haphazardly stuffed into their trunks. They were worse than I was. When Hermione had forced me to pack yesterday, I kept getting distracted by school notes, books, wizard and Muggle pictures (courtesy of Colin Creevey) and the like. She shouldn't have left me to my own devices, as she learned when she returned. She stared, dumbstruck, until her body tensed into a determined stance. With her help, I had finished packing in less than an hour, a personal record.

Lavender and Parvati were giggling like crazy at a photo album. "You've got to come look at these," said Parvati to us, patting the space next to her on her bed. I walked forward and sat, taking the album from her hands. I flipped back to the beginning to see Quidditch pictures, as well as some from Halloween, Christmas and Easter. I wasn't in any of the Christmas ones, nor was Hermione. One of the Easter pictures had Hermione, bunny-eared, hiding chocolate eggs around our dorm. I laughed out loud.

"Look at this one, Hermione!" I said, laughing. "It's from Easter!" I tore my eyes away from a hopping picture-Hermione to see that the real Hermione stood alone in the doorway, looking rejected.

"That's okay, I'll just... get ready for bed," she said quietly. She turned away and grabbed her pyjamas, heading for the washroom across the landing. I handed the album back to Parvati to go after her.

"Hermione!" She was through the dorm door and on the landing when I grabbed her arm. She stared decidedly at the ceiling. "What's the matter?"

She yanked her arm back forcefully. "Nothing! Nothing's the matter," she said. "It's just... well, I didn't belong there, that's all," she sighed.

"In the dorm? Of course you did! Do," I corrected. "It's your dorm as much as everyone else's."

"No, I meant... I meant with them. Parvati and Lavender." She gestured vaguely towards the dorm door. "On the bed, reminiscing about the good times. I was hardly a good dorm mate this year, and I don't fit in with beautiful and popular girls like them."

"And you think that I do?" I snorted. I fit in with them like an Erumpent among unicorns, I thought bitterly. "For all you know, you could have lots of things in common with Parvati and Lavender."

"Highly unlikely," she said. "All they care about are boys and make-up."

"And all you care about are books and homework?" I retorted, raising my eyebrows at her in question.

She opened her mouth to retort, her finger pointed at me. "No," she sighed. "I see your point."

"Ha!" I laughed. "Even the great Hermione Granger lacks a bit of perspective."

"Stop that," she said, smiling.

I grabbed her hand. "Come on, you've got to check out the Easter page."

Once the train pulled out of Hogsmeade station, Hermione announced to the guys that she had dropped Muggle Studies, meaning she'd have a normal timetable next year. At least they were supportive, despite Ron's comment about the amazing note she had on her exam (Come on. Who gets three hundred and twenty percent in a class? Honestly.).

Ron invited Harry to the Burrow for the Quidditch World Cup; that cheered him up considerably. It probably gave him something to look forward to. The atmosphere on the train was more relaxed this time than when we were heading to Hogwarts. After a few games of Exploding Snap with my friends, I decided to go look for Scarlett, with whom I had not spoken since the study session we did together for Potions.

I made my way past several compartments, most of them full to the brim with laughter and joyful ruckus. It annoyed me to no end that I couldn't just walk up to someone and ask them if they'd seen her. It would be so much easier that way. Stupid house rivalry.

I wasn't surprised that Fred and George's compartment was the loudest. The curtains were drawn so I couldn't see what was going on, but I could hear them. For once, I let my curiosity get the better of me and I opened the compartment door. Along with Fred and George, who were balancing spoons on their noses, Lee, Oliver, Alicia and Angelina were encouraging them with loud whoops and yells.

"Come on, Fred, come on!"

"One more, George, you can do it!"

"Go Weasley!"

"Very specific, Alicia."

"Shut up, Lee!"

I smiled at the sight. They looked like such wonderful friends. I wiped the smile from my face. "What's going on here?" I snapped, trying my best to sound like McGonagall.

Their reactions were priceless. Angelina and Oliver jumped up. Alicia shrieked, Lee gasped and both Fred and George lost control of the spoons on their noses. I couldn't help it, I laughed. I laughed hard.

"Shite, Mina!" exclaimed Lee.

"Don't do that!" said Alicia, hand over her heart. "You sounded just like McGonagall right then."

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself," I shrugged, a chuckle or two escaping once in a while. "I was wondering what was going on in here."

"You just happened to walk by?" asked Angelina, eyebrow raised. "What about your friends?"

"Harry, Ron and Hermione are still in their compartment. I was looking for Sc- another friend, but I'm not sure which compartment she's in." I glanced at Oliver. "I just wanted to talk to her. I haven't seen her since exams."

"Who is it?" asked Alicia. "Maybe we've seen her."

I shifted uncomfortably. "Uh..."

Oliver stood rapidly and put his arm tightly over my shoulder. "You know, I think I know who you're looking for. Come on, I'll help you find her." He turned me around stiffly. "Gentlemen, ladies." And out the compartment door we went.

"I really need to work on my evasion skills," I sighed.

"No kidding, lass. Anyway, Scar's close-by."

"How did your Potions OWL go?" I asked excitedly.

"It went pretty well, if I do say so meself," he winked at me. I beamed.

"Both parts? The theory and the application?"

"Well... the theory went better. I might have cut my ingredients a little sloppily," he said sheepishly.

"Which potion did you have to make?"

"The Babbling Beverage. I wish we could have tried them, but some people's potions weren't the right colour, unlike mine," he said smugly. I rolled my eyes, but I was thrilled.

I followed him to some of the last compartments on the train. Most of them had the curtains drawn. He knocked on the door of one of them. "How do you know it's that one?" I whispered.

Scarlett opened the door, eyes shifting suspiciously from side to side before letting Oliver and me in. "Good to see you, Mina," she nodded. That girl really is distant, I thought. I haven't seen her for weeks, and that's all she can say? Ah well.

"Same here. How did your exams go?"

"I'd rather not talk about it," she said. "Yours?"

I laughed. "That's a little hypocritical, don't you think?"

She shrugged. "Only if you really think about it."

I hung out with Scarlett and Oliver for a little while longer. I told them a little about how I ended up in the Hospital Wing again (without many details). We talked about our summer plans. I had no idea what we were doing. I knew Mom and Dad had a surprise for me, or rather us, but I wasn't privy to any details. Oliver was going to travel to Puddlemere to visit with the manager of the team to settle his contract for the reserve team. Both were hoping Scarlett would be allowed to go with him and his parents, but they didn't look very hopeful.

"Our families aren't exactly close nowadays. They just ignore each other," explained Oliver. "My sister Ciara used to baby-sit Scar." He nudged her playfully when she glared at him.

"Not that I needed babysitting. My older sister Talisa was always around," she said to me, crossing her legs elegantly.

"Talisa might have been there, but she wasn't all there, if you get what I'm saying," he laughed. Although she fought a smile, she whacked him hard. Rubbing his arm, he winced. "Besides, she might have been around, but she wasn't going to be waiting on you hand and foot."

"That's not the point."

"And Ciara wasn't noble or anything, so it was alright if she took care of you while your parents were out," he continued. Scarlett tensed.

"You know that doesn't mean anything to me," she hissed.

The atmosphere suddenly changed from playful to tense. Neither of them moved, and I was certainly not going to bring attention to myself. Oliver sighed and slipped his arm around her waist, bringing her close. He kissed the top of her head. "I know, Scar, I know."

As it neared one, I went back to see Harry, Ron and Hermione. They were building a card castle with the Exploding Snap deck. I walked into the compartment just as it exploded in Harry's face. Ron and I guffawed loudly. Hermione sniggered, hand clamped over her mouth. Harry was shocked into a stupor, but soon began to laugh himself. The witch with the trolley came by soon after. Harry bought a bit of everything and I bought a pack of Bertie Bott's Every Flavoured Beans to share with my friends. That entertained us for a while. Watching Hermione squirm when her hand would dive into the pack was absolutely hilarious.

But the thing that really put Harry, and consequently all of us, in a good mood came much later. Sirius wrote him a letter and had attached his Hogsmeade permission slip to it. Sirius even let Ron keep the minute owl! Ron seemed pleased with that, despite the owl's... energetic attitude.

"I bet you'll be able to join us this year too, Mina," said Ron excitedly, watching his tiny owl fly about. "What with the Dementors gone and all."

"Your parents will have to sign the permission slip," agreed Hermione. "And Harry won't be breaking any rules, set up for his safety, when he comes along with us," she added, staring pointedly at Harry. He threw his hands up in surrender, rereading his godfather's first letter to him.

I was a bit disappointed my parents weren't right on Platform 9 ¾ when I got off the train. Ron and Hermione went through the wall first. I paired up with Harry. I saw Mr. and Mrs. Weasley waiting with my parents. Dad looked at his watch anxiously while Mom, frowning, bit her lip nervously, looking for something (hopefully me) in the crowd. She spotted me and we both waved happily. I started jogging with my trunk dragging behind me. I dropped it when I got close and jumped in Dad's arms.

"Oh, pumpkin, we're so glad your home!" laughed Mom, a watery smile gracing her face.

"Ten months! I can't believe you were gone for ten months," said Dad, twirling me around. "You're a bit heavier than I remember."

"Hey!" I said, indignant. He winked at me.

"You've grown so much since Christmas," said Mom, wiping her eyes.

"Almost a grown woman," smiled Dad, eyes twinkling.

I looked around to find Harry. He was speaking with a huge man. And I mean huge.

"That's probably his uncle," said Dad carefully.

"Harry!" I called out to him when his uncle grabbed his arm to drag him away. "Harry, hold up!"

Although his uncle seemed reluctant to acknowledge Ron, Hermione and I following them, he did eventually stop, muttering to Harry he'd wait by the car, red in the face. "He's just angry 'cause I told him about my murderer of a godfather," said Harry cheerfully.

"Oh," said Hermione.

"Listen, we will get you out of there," I said, putting my hand comfortingly on his shoulder.

"She's right. There's no way we'd let you rot in that bloody hole," agreed Ron.

"Ron!" reprimanded Hermione. He ignored her.

"Quidditch World Cup this summer. Not sure who's in the finals, but it's Quidditch; who cares?" he grinned. Harry grinned back, thanking him.

"There's going to be lots going on, and we'll be sure to owl you as often as possible," Hermione assured him.

"Hermione!" called her mother.

"Coming, Mother!" She turned back to Harry, hugging him. "See you soon."

I hugged Harry as well and Ron clapped him soundly on the back. Harry hurried out the station. We walked over to Hermione and her parents. They seemed a bit... stiff.

"Very well, Hermione. Your mother wants to stop at the office before heading home. Please do not be long," said Dr. Granger.

She nodded and pulled me aside. "Father said I could invite you over this summer, if you'd like to experience real Muggle life," she said brightly.

"Dad will be pleased to know I want to live the Muggle way," I answered. "And of course I want to spend some time at your house! I'll have to ask Mom and Dad first, but I'll owl you their answer."

She shifted. "You wouldn't mind using the telephone, would you? My parents really can't get used to the owls."

Surprised, I assured her I'd try to figure it out. We hugged quickly and her family left.

I joined Ron, Ginny, Fred, George and Percy near our trunks as our parents were talking hurriedly together. "What do you reckon they're talking about?" asked Ron.

"Who knows?" I shrugged.

"Maybe they're planning to have you come to the Burrow this summer," offered Ginny.

"I hope not," I whispered, glancing at my parents. Mom looked close to tears and Dad's face was unreadable. He tended to do that when he wanted to hide his rage.

"What, is the Burrow that bad?" said Fred.

"Oh, no, I love the Burrow," I waved impatiently. "It's just... that would mean the custody battle is starting.

I looked at them calmly and tried to smile reassuringly. They didn't buy it. "What custody battle? For who and between who?" questioned Percy. "Changes of custody are really rare in the Wizarding World."

"Don't you think I know that, Percy? I could be taken away from my parents and be shipped off to live with my grandmother," I sighed, looking down at my feet.

"Her evil grandmother," corrected Ron.

Their faces formed a silent 'o'. The Weasley kids nodded their respective heads, although I could see questions waiting to be asked.

"She must want you really badly," said Percy finally.

"I wonder why," said Ginny.

"I'm not sure if I want to find out," I said, shivering.

I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Come on, Mina," said Dad. "We're going home."

I nodded and picked up my trunk. "We're taking the car, right?" I asked. "I don't really want to Floo with my trunk and Arianell's cage."

"We took the car, pumpkin," smiled Mom, running her fingers through my hair.

"'Kay. See you all this summer," I waved to the Weasleys, glancing at my parents' sober expressions. They didn't say anything; they didn't need to. I knew the battle had begun. Dad took Arianell's cage. She hooted happily, something she hadn't ever done with Dad. Once buckled in the car, I asked the one question that had been bothering me. "She's here, isn't she?"

They said nothing. It was answer enough.

This is the scene that concludes my first year at Hogwarts. I suppose looking back on it, I probably missed a few details, or added some, but it doesn't matter now. You have a good idea of where my story really began. I wonder if it will push you to tell me your perspective, but I doubt it. Eighteen owls I've sent you now, over many years, all of them returning with my letters opened but returning with none from you. Where are you? Why did you go? Why won't you write back? I know you read them! The seal is always broken!

It doesn't matter now. I feel defeated. I'll continue to write you my life story until either you write back, or you come home. Either way, writing what happened helps me put order in my chaotic life.

Forever yours,

Adamina Champlain.