Part Sixteen
Classes resumed as normal. During any free time the lot of you met up in the training room that the castle had provided. The more you learned about defense the more confident you felt. There was a small voice in the back of your head. If you'd known this you could have protected yourself from your mother. If you'd known you wouldn't be where you are. If Cedric had known...No. You wouldn't think about it. He probably did know. But class if different from the real world. Just like Harry had said back then.
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You had learned Expelliarmus, Stupefy, Diminuendo, Levicorpus, and many others. Through out the time you'd been practicing Umbridge had enlisted the help of Filch and even some students to find you. Even Draco had signed up. You hadn't told him that you were a part of it and wouldn't. The holiday season quickly approached and Neville finally got the hang of some spells and everyone cheered for him. You all dismissed for the last time until after the holidays so everyone said their goodbyes.
~~~~
You'd been writing back and forth to Remus. Telling him of your new found friendships with Fred and George and your deepened connection with Harry, Hermione, and Ron. He'd invited you to spend Christmas with him and the others, but that he couldn't give you any details that you'd have to come with Harry. You were giddy to see him again. It had been so long. He was practically your father, the one you'd never had.
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You'd been told of what happened to Mr. Weasley when you saw that all of his children were gone. Harry had some secret training and Hermione continued to practice her defensive spells, so it was just you until the lot of you went to Christmas. When you arrived at Grimmwald place you were amazed at how beautiful it was. But a vague familiarity hit you when you stepped inside. You couldn't put your finger on it but the place just seemed familiar.
"Y/N." You were shaken from your thoughts by Remus. Your face broke out into a large smile and you ran to him.
"Moony! Oh how I've missed you" The two of you embraced in a tight hug.
"I've missed you too Little moon" He whispered so only you would hear.
"Did I hear Moony?" You looked up and saw a man with long black hair and a scruffy face. You released each other from the hug and both faced the man.
"You must be Sirius. It's a pleasure to meet you." You held a hand out to him. He smiled, pulled you in by your hand, and hugged you.
"Any friend of his is a friend of mine. Especially one he talks about as often as you. feel free to call me Padfoot." You smiled up at him. You knew a bit about his past with his family so the two of you were very similar. You were glad to add another addition to your family.
"Very well then, Padfoot." You all gathered around the table as Arthur was wheeled in.
"Here we go. Daddy's back. Sit down, everybody, sit down. That's it. Now, presents." You hadn't expected to get anything but Molly handed you a rather large wrapped gift. You looked up at her with confusion as everyone else looked at you.
"You're part of the family now. So, open it up." You carefully opened it up and pulled out a sweater with your first initial on the front. It was a blend of greens and the letter in a grey color. You looked up at her with misted eyes.
"Thank you. Thank you so much!" They all smiled at you and she waved her hand dismissively.
"Well, Try it on then." You pulled the sweater on and it fit perfectly. Everyone else began opening theirs and Remus slid you over a small box with a silver bow. You opened it and inside was a silver necklace with a crescent moon. You gasped and looked up at him. He gave a sincere smile and pulled up a chain around his neck revealing a matching necklace. You quickly put it on and tucked it in your shirt. Molly cleared her throat.
"Come on, then, everybody. Let's clear this away. Oh, Harry, Harry. There you are. Happy Christmas. Thank you. Lovely to have you with us." She handed him a small box which he opened to find a hat.
"Thank you." She started to pass out drinks to everyone.
"Now, Daddy. Pass that to Daddy. Thank you. Has everybody got? Fred? George? Hermione." Once everyone had a drink Arthur spoke.
"A Christmas toast. To Mr. Harry Potter... without whom I would not be here. Harry." Everyone raised their glasses.
"Harry!" The lot separated and you sat with Remus and talked for a while. Catching up on what you hadn't written about. Not long after Hermione came and said it was time to go. You hugged Remus and left with the others.
~~~~
The paper that morning was all a fuss.
"We have confirmed that 10 high-security prisoners, in the early hours of yesterday evening did escape. And of course, the Muggle prime minister has been alerted to the danger. We strongly suspect that the breakout was engineered by a man with personal experience in escaping from Azkaban notorious mass murderer Sirius Black, cousin of escapee Bellatrix Lestrange." You groaned as you read it.
"Absolute rubbish." You tossed the paper into the fire.
~~~~
"Make it a powerful memory, the happiest you can remember. Allow it to fill you up. Keep trying, Seamus. George, your turn now."
"Expecto Patronum."
"A full-bodied Patronus is the most difficult to produce... but shield forms can also be equally useful against a variety of opponents. Wow, that was really good. Fantastic, Ginny. Just remember, your Patronus can only protect you for as long as you stay focused. So focus, Luna. Think of the happiest thing you can."
"Expecto Patronum!
"I'm trying."
"I know. It's good. This is really advanced stuff, guys. You're doing so well." You tried to think of your happiest memories. Dates with Cedric, being at Hogwarts, making friends, but the one that did it was recent. The moon necklace. The symbol of your bond with Remus. He truly was the father you never got to have.
"Expecto Patronum!" The light flowed from your wand. it slowly formed a shape. Everyone seemed to look at you when they realized what it was. A snake. A Ball Python to be exact. You felt their eyes bore into you, as if they hadn't when they saw you at the first meeting. You were a Slytherin, they expected you to turn them in for extra credit or just for the fun of it. But you were determined to change their minds about you. This was just a small setback. It was ok. Everyone's eyes soon left you though. a loud bang was heard against the wall. and again, and again. Until there was a small hole. Harry got closer to look before the whole wall was blown in. It was Umbridge and her group of students. Even Draco was there. His face had a smug smile until his eyes met yours.
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