As I sat in front of my house in Guildford, Surrey, the black, shaggy dog was sitting guard of his imaginary concerns. I sat with a copy of American Psycho in hand.

"How the bloody hell did you get back so fast?" I question.

A bark in response.

"Let me guess. You weren't in London, and you never left Surrey. Oh no, beloved daughter! I have already tracked down the filthy rat that betrayed my best friend! Sure, Father."

A growl comes out of the dog. He nudges at my book with another bark.

"First of all, this book is satire! Second of all, let's just go in, so you can shower."

A whine.

"You stink, dog. Plus, Mum would love to see you."

A howl.

I get up, making sure to mark my page. Opening the door for the shaggy dog, I look around before locking the door.

"So I take it Harry is at the Leaky Cauldron."

"Yes, Avalon. You need to be heading back soon too. They'll be waiting for you," Sirius Black adds.

"Oh my God!" Nicola Black screams in her towel with a toothbrush in her mouth.

"Darling... My, my. You still take my breath away."

"I would say the same for you, but you look like you would literally take my breath away. Do they not let you take showers in Azkaban?"

"I am offended, Miss Veela."

He grabs a piece of her wet blonde hair, simply staring at it.

"Now I know Dad has gone barking mad."

"Where'd you learn 'barking' young lady?"

"School."

"Well, that's not how the Black family speaks."

"You are literally a dog ninety percent of the time. Go take a shower. I'll show you to Mum's shower although unfortunately you may smell like lavender and vanilla since that is all Mum and I use. Have fun."

"He smells like wet dog," Mum says in disgust.

"Probably because he is a dog, Miss Veela."

"Please don't call me that. It was already tough being one of the only British people at Beauxbatons. I learned French at an unhealthily fast rate."

"Blondie knows French?" I gasp in false surprise.

"I'm going to get dressed and check up on your father."

"I'm leaving to the Leaky Cauldron then. I do not want be here for your 'dressing'. Bye, Dad! See you whenever I see you! Also, I would prefer to have a younger sibling, I'm also thirteen so..."

I grabbed my trunk from by the door with my green extension charmed canvas backpack. I closed my palm in the familiar powder by the fireplace, yelling my destination.

I landed with a cough and a groan. I drag my trunk behind me, feeling an eerie dislike for the room I was in, seeing preserved dead animals.

I make my way down the stairs to the main restaurant area. I pass by a wanted sign with Dad on it, ripping it forcibly off the wall with an eye roll.

I hear a commotion downstairs that distracted me from the crumpled poster, dropping it to the floor behind me.

"It tried to eat, Scabbers!" Ron yells.

My attention shoots up, looking at the biggest rat I could have ever met.

"Maybe Crookshanks has the right idea," I comment from the last step.

"Avalon!" Fred and George exclaim.

I laugh, running to give them a hug with my trunk left behind on the floor.

"Harry," I laugh, pulling him into a hug, "Damn, you're tall."

"Eh, haven't really noticed," he awkwardly says.

"Mione. Ron."

I pulled them into a hug after ignoring Hermione's eye roll. She's not a big fan of me for some reason. Oh, yeah. Shitty friends.

"I'm been dying to do something other than work at the tea and biscuit shop down the street. Mum wasn't too keen on letting me go out anywhere... magical," I say, trying not to say what is meant to be said.

Harry raised his eyebrow oddly at me while Ron looked off with his knowing face. Hermione was just as confused, surprisingly.

"Well, I'm going to go find my room and then possibly Ginny or something."

I go and grab my trunk, bag still on my back as I walk up the stairs again to find my room. I got in behind the door and shut my eyes, knowing any relationship I just built with Harry, Ron, or Hermione is about to crash down. The twins won't care too much because they "know I'm not him."

I didn't realize a tear had stained my cheek until the tear hit my mouth. I blow out, cleaning my eyes out.

I changed into a heavier cardigan from the light one I was wearing earlier since it was getting colder. The emerald green color mixed with the silver thread showed my house pride, which didn't make me feel happy recently. My ripped jeans cling to my body, noticing I will soon out grow them.

I walk downstairs, feeling a need to satisfy my hunger.

"Bangers and mash please," I solemnly ask the bartender.

I look over to where I heard commotion. I made eye contact with Harry, who was making an expressionless look. I turn away, biting the inside of my cheek.

Geez, Dad.

I took a deep breath, exhaling once my food was in front of me. I ate slowly, staring at the various bottles of alcohol on the wall, some muggle, some made by a wizard.

"Oh, and a glass of butter beer, please."

I stared at my food for a second until I felt two hands on my shoulders. Of course I know who's behind me.

"Ok Fred and George. I could hear you even if you tiptoed in your context," I laugh, feeling more cheery as I turn around.

"We heard about your dad. Sorry," the boys say in unison.

"Yeah, well, I'm really trying not to think about it right now."

"Our father is saying he wants to kill Harry," Fred says.

"I doubt he gives a bloody care. He just got out of prison, and to be honest, I don't think the first thing he will do is kill Harry."

"Has he tried to contact you?"

"Well, of course, he's bloody tried. That doesn't mean he will get an answer- Thank you!"

I sip on my butter beer, pushing a fork into one of the bangers on my plate. They give me a solemn look.

"If anyone at school gives you trouble, let us know."

"Of course!"

Ginny walks over, taking my butterbeer and having a sip.

"Hey!"

"Nah, this is my toast to you for having a damn right smart father. Severely, morally incorrect but smart."

"I have to give it to him. That escape is incredible. How did he even get out of the middle of the ocean without getting caught? No clue."

"Well, if anyone accuses you of anything, I will hex them into last year."

"Oh I bet you will."

"Also, the seventies muggle hair? You look so good."

"Thanks. I was influenced by Bridgitte Bardot and her grown out bangs."

"You've caught someone's eye with it from what I can tell."

She turns to look at Harry who was staring at me with a dazed look. I smile at him, twirling my fingers in a wave. His head snaps to Ron again.

A ball of orange suddenly jumps up into my lap. It nudges its head into my stomach.

"Crookshanks!" I laugh.

Hermione may not love me, but her cat sure does. Like really loves me.

"That bloody cat loves you?" Ron asks.

"Obviously! I'm actually amazing and sexy  unlike how you make me sound."

The cat steps back looking up at me. I could have sworn I saw a semi disgusted look on Crookshanks' face.

"Ok, ok. Maybe not the sexy part."

I pick the cat up, carrying him back near the curious trio.

"Prettiest cat I've ever seen."

I kiss his cheek before putting him down.

"I don't like how that cat loves you. Seems like he knew you in a past life. It's not pleasant when he's trying to eat my rat."

"I don't like your stupid rat either."

"Thank you, Avalon," Hermione adds exasperated.

"Well, I'm going to head to Diagon Alley if anyone wants to join. I need to buy another owl now that Mum has a new job that requires her to send out tons of letters."

"Actually, we already had plans. Sorry," Hermione interjects.

"Oh, okay. Have fun!"

I walk through to the brick wall by myself, Crookshanks following behind.

"Be careful. Mione might just murder me if she sees you leave with me."

His head nudges into my leg.

"I don't care if you don't care. Besides, it's better they don't come. Then they won't know Mum has been working with for Dumbledore. No, I don't know what it is. I just know it's top secret."

The cat purs and meows. I pick him up, carrying him, so he looks in my eyes. Grey eyes that matched mine stared back at me. My eyes widen as I put him back on the floor.

"I'm just going to ignore the fact we have the same eyes and keep walking."

The cat lets out a light growl.

I enter the Magical Menagerie, seeing the overwhelming amount of animals. I go to the owl section, Crookshanks still next to me. My eyes instantly caught a glimpse of a very big eyed wood owl.

I pick up Crookshanks, taking him up to owl. I look at him and see him nod. I notice the owl starts hooting.

"Well that settles it. Now we need a name."

I think and think until I find a perfect name to fit the Black family.

"Cepheus?" I ask the cat.

He nudges his head into my hand as the owl turns its head. I take that as a sign to go ahead and purchase him.

I walk to Florean's wanting some ice cream. Thankfully, they had pistachio, which apparently is also Crookshanks favorite as he jumps up every once in awhile as I'm eating at a table.

I look around before conjuring a small tea cup, putting a little ice cream into it.

"That's all you are getting though, babes."

When I finish, I head back to the Leaky Cauldron, needing a shower and a need to write a letter.

"Crookshanks! There you are! Why did you take my cat?!" Hermione yells.

"First off, I didn't take your cat. The beautiful baby followed me to the Menagerie. Second, nothing happened and he actually helped me pick out my owl and his name."

"Whatever."

"Ok, well goodnight everyone. Bright and early tomorrow." I mimic a salute.

I take a shower, changing into a red silk nightgown. I put moisturizer on my face and spray my body in Dune by Dior.

I took a bit of chocolate from a package Moony sent me. This extra time on my hands leads me to think how I actually don't know why Mum calls Remus "Moony."

I also take a moment to glance at the influence my father had already had on me after one day of being with me. The archer on my shoulder blade sends arrows only a couple centimeters away before restarting.

"Please don't let anyone see that," the low voice says.

"Fucking Merlin! What are you doing here, Pads?" I ask, casting a muffiato spell.

"Just thought I'd say goodbye to my mini me."

"I swear to Nicholas Flamel himself, if you get on the Hogwarts Express tomorrow, you won't hear the end of it."

"That's, you know, a risk I'm willing to take."

"Hey, why do we call Remus "Moony"?"

"You can ask him yourself, especially since he will be your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"Have you tried-"

"No. No, I have not."

"Sirius Black scared?"

"I have every right to be scared. It's not like I got out of Azkaban, and poof! Wow! I'm a free man."

"I love you. Never say poof again."

"You are ridiculous. You remind me of someone."

"Who?"

"Regulus..."

His eyes glaze over as if he's seen a ghost from his past behind my head. He lets out a solemn sigh.

"I hope you're not saying that because I'm a Slytherin."

"Of course not. He was ambitious and cunning, but I believe he was a Ravenclaw deep down. Just like how I believe you're a Gryffindor deep down."

"Oh hell no! Look I may seem brave because of my language, but I am far from being anything like Harry, James, Remus, and you. If you think that's all I remind you of him, I hate to disappoint you."

"That's not all. You excel in almost every subject, mostly potions. You're quiet when you want to be. I know you use humor as a defensive mechanism. You have his eyes too. I guess they are my eyes as well, but you have the sharp warmth in your eyes he had, as if you could kill someone who hurts someone you love."

"It's too bad he's dead, isn't it? Wasn't he a Death Eater or something?"

"He was, but I don't think he really wanted to be, not truly."

"I need to go to bed. I'll see you probably at some point at Hogwarts."

"Be safe!"

The shaggy haired man turns back into a dog and allows me to show him out of my room. I close the door, starting to prepare my uniform and outfit for tomorrow.

Pearls decorate my neck, Chanel tights wrap around my leg, the school uniform skirt hiked high up my waist, and a cropped, long sleeve, dark green Ralph Lauren polo. I pull on my black Doc Marten Mary Janes after putting on Dior red lipstick and mascara on.

Maybe I overdress, but my plan is to always leave everyone speechless as much as possible. My final touch is brown tinted Chanel sunglasses and curls in my hair.

"Holy Merlin," Theo says once I'm on the platform.

"Thank you. Thank you," I say nonchalantly.

"My best friend is so hot," Pansy adds, pulling me in for a kiss on the cheek.

"Best friend, huh?" Draco laughs, nudging me.

I glare at him.

"Come on, idiots. Need to find a compartment..."

We lead our way into a compartment of the train, Crabbe and Goyle unfortunately already sitting in it.

"So what are you lot excited for this year?" I ask, laying against Blaise.

"Personally, I'm excited to see what your father does to our school," Draco jokes.

"Shut up!" I yell, throwing my shoe at him.

"You think he'll go for Granger first?"  Crabbe jokes.

"Shut up!" I yell again, throwing my other shoe.

"So violent," Pansy jokes.

"You would know," Theo laughs.

Pansy's face drops, and then, she throws her shoe at him. I gave him a look that told him she was right.

The ride was mostly us joking around until the glass started to freeze over.

"What the bloody hell? It's not even autumn yet. Something's wrong," I say.

Then it hit me as I saw black figure.

"Fuck!" I yell, getting up.

"Hey, don't go out there if there's dementors. They may get confused on what you are, but they will eventually realize you have a soul," Draco laughs.

"Shut up!"

I hear the wind blow at a million kilometers an hour. I started to shiver, grabbing onto Pansy for warmth.

I pull my wand out, sending a warmth charm around the room. The cold went away after ten minutes, sudden warmth enveloping our bodies.

"Are you ok, cherry?" Theo asks.

I look up disoriented. I nod my head, regaining my ability to talk.

"Yeah, I just- I don't know. I felt like I was drowning. Like dragged down into a river to drown. I'm staying away from the Black Lake this year, I swear on it!"

"Yet you'll still enter the Forbidden Forest by yourself."

"It's the best hiding place."

"It's also a place for a bloody death wish," Draco scoffs.

"Did someone have to do detention in the forest with Harry in first year?" I say in a baby voice.

"I'm not scared of anything."

"Obviously, you are. Have you ever seen a Mooncalf before?"

"Course not! Why would I want to see some magical creature on the full
moon? That's asking for something bad to happen."

"Yeah, sure."

The door of the compartment flings open. A distraught Moony beckons me with his hand in a fatherly way, pulling me into the hall before shutting the door and going into a nearby empty compartment.

"What happened?" I ask, knowing he always has an answer.

"Dementors. I believe your father is on the train."

"That son of a bitch."

"You got that more than right."

"Hey, you have a new scar on your face..."

I reach out, but he shuts me down, moving away.

"It's fine. It's nothing."

"You sure?"

"Yes, you worrywart."

"I'm not a worrywart. Well, I'm only one when I have to be."

"You are so much like your father."

"I tend to get that a lot, but recently, most comments are comparing me to Regulus."

"You are like him, but I'm sure someone will explain more to you one day."

"Yeah. I'm going to get back, so I can change, but I'll see you in Defense Against the Dark Arts, professor."

He rolls his eyes at me before opening the door for me to leave first. I didn't see him leave behind me, but Im guessing he eventually did. Probably started looking for a shaggy dog.

As I walk up the muddy terrain to the front of the school, alone since no one else wanted a walk, I see a figure move and a twig snap. I fling my wand out from my skirt pocket.

"Oh don't be ridiculous," I hear the voice say.

"I told you not to get on that train," I whisper yell.

"I can't help it. Also, Harry's a handsome boy, huh?"

My cheeks turn red before answering.

"Ok, whatever. I have more going on in my life then be fawning over the chosen one."

"Can you kick Snivellus in the balls for me?"

"What?! No! He's my head of house."

"That thing was able to get head of house?"

"Oh trust me, I agree with that statement. How can he just prance around and be mean to Harry when he used to call Lily a mudblood? I would be embarrassed and ashamed. Wouldn't you?"

"Don't think I could live with myself if I even thought that word to describe Lily. She was the scariest and most lovely woman I knew."

"I bet. Those eyes are so intimidating and yet so beautiful."

"Go to the Great Hall. Raid the kitchens. I'll see you when I do. Whatever you do though, do not go to the Shrieking Shack."

"Is that where you'll be staying?"

"Until I have to leave yes, but you can't risk being seen there. Tell your mother when you want to see me, and I will arrange as much as I can to stay hidden."

"Don't risk your life, Father. Nothing is worth losing you again."

"I love you, Avalon. Also, what'd you name that owl of yours?"

"Cepheus. Love you too. See you sometime."

I run up to the entrance doors, the glowing eyes watching me from the patch of woods. I wave before going in. I sat down right between Theo and Pansy, legs swinging over Theo's lap as I rest my head on Pansy's shoulder.

"What's up with you?" Pansy asks, kissing my head.

"Just tired. Also my uncle is a teacher, my father's on the loose, and they used to be inseparable. Now, Remus hates my father."

"He's not even your real uncle," Theo adds with a smirk.

"I know, but he's all I can remember. He's practically my second father."

I look up to the grimacing dirty blonde. His eyes revert to his drink, picking it up and taking a sip.

"They're saying your father's mad in the Daily Prophet," Blaise laughs, throwing the paper to me.

Sure enough, there's my father screaming. He explained to me he was trying to tell them he didn't do it, which he didn't. I mean he didn't even kill Peter Pettigrew and even I want to do that.

"You guys see how that blood Weasley walks with his badge," Millicent Bulstrode snorts.

"Like he's got a fucking stick up his arse!" Daphne Greengrass laughs.

"Oh, Percy? I don't talk to him when I'm there. He can't stand that I'm smarter than him. He always tries to outdo me," I add laughing as I sip on pumpkin juice.

"Are you really smarter than him?" Tracey Davis asks.

"He thinks you have to cut up the slugs for burn healing paste, which is not true. You have to squeeze them into the aloe first, then add chickweed."

The table looks at me stunned at my rambling.

"What?"

"We haven't even learned how to make burn healing paste," Daphne says, an eyebrow raised, mouth slightly open.

"What do you think I do in my spare time when you lot wonder where I am?"

"We assumed you like snuck off to snog some older year," Blaise says.

"I knew she wasn't doing that," Pansy snaps.

"Can we move on from the conversation?" I ask in frustration.

Dumbledore stands up to give a speech. Blah blah, dementors. Blah blah, Sirius Black. Blah blah, Remus. That at least earned my standing ovation. Blah blah, Hagrid. Another standing ovation from me.

"I hate to tell you this, Avalon, but your godfather is so hot," Daphne says, chewing on a piece of bread.

"Oh, Merlin, please do not say that while I'm eating," I choke on a cod fritter.

"She's not wrong," Millicent laughs.

"I hate you all."

We finish eating, making our way to the dungeon once dismissed. I whisper the password to the wall, running up to the 3rd year girls room.

I sat down on my bed, waiting for Pansy.

"Hey, we have like two minutes," she runs in closing the door.

Pansy sits next to me, and a second later, my lips are on hers.

"I missed you," she whispers breathlessly.

"I missed you too," I whisper against her neck.

She smelled of wood and lavender, a combination that always reminds me of her.

"I was telling Draco- Oh, you two are already up here."

We sit up slightly away from each other.

"Yes, we were just wanting to shower and get changed. I'll see you lot in a little," I say, grabbing my nightgown and my shower material.

I comeback out, hair still in bouncy curls as I finish my night routine.

"I'll see everyone later."

"Where are you going?" Pansy asks.

"Haven't decided, either the empty potions classroom or to see Remus. Either way, I'll expand my knowledge."

I grab my green backpack, heading out into the dungeons. I could either stay down here, go to the astronomy tower, or go to Remus.

Remus it is.