"OH, WHY IS SHE TRYING to take them away from us when we've only got a few nights left with each other?" James questioned from where he sat on the couch in the Gryffindor common room next to Claudia. "I hate Ingannamorte!"

Claudia smiled amusedly and looked at the very grumpy boy who was in such a mood due to the fact that their sixth year would be over in just four days, which meant that he had every intention to make the most of it, but that intention was temporarily held back since his somewhat confusing plans for the night were ruined as Claudia and Remus informed him that Ingannamorte was holding her final class of the year in just thirty minutes time.

"Isn't she your favourite professor?" Peter asked.

"Not when she's stealing my friend!" The boy exclaimed. "And, besides, Minnie will always be my number one."

Peter nodded, returning his attention back to his chess game with Sirius as James continued to complain, only to grow silent at the sight of Lily who had entered the common room and walked up the staircase to the girls' dormitories, taking a subtle yet noticeable glance at the boy.

Now, Claudia was expecting him to either yell something accidentally offensive after her, tell Claudia "she totally wants me" or let out a tiny squeal.

But, instead, he leaned further down in his seat as a slight shade of pink grew apparent on his cheeks.

Claudia smiled, "Who are you and what have you done with James Potter?"

The boy shrugged, smiling sheepishly up at her, "I guess I grew up."

At that, a loud gasp was heard from the floor in front of the fire, where Sirius was sitting.

"Don't you dare use that word!" He exclaimed, standing up and pointing a finger in James' face.

"What word?"

"The g-word!"

Claudia looked confusedly at him, "You mean grow u-"

"No! Don't say that!"

Claudia and James shared befuddled glances. "You okay, mate?"

"No," Sirius said. "Haven't you guys thought about the fact that we've only got a year left here? A single year! We're about to leave this place!"

"You sound an awful lot like James right now," Remus pointed out from where he sat in an armchair with a book in his hands. "It's like you two switched personalities for the day."

James and Sirius looked at one another.

"Maybe we did-"

"-Maybe we didn't."

"Who knows?" Thet said at the same time, causing Claudia to discreetly ask Peter if they were high as Remus chuckled amusedly and returned his attention to his book.

"But he's right," said James. "We've only got a year left. We simply must make the most of it."

"Yes, because these are supposed to be the best years of our lives!" Sirius cried. "We're only young once! So we really should make the most of it, because I don't know about you people but the idea of being old sounds boring as fuck. You know, one day, we'll be old and grey and boring and too stiff to even stand up probably. And our kids and grandkids will be forced to wipe our arses and-"

"We've got magic for that," Peter said with a disgusted look on his face. "But honestly though, Pads, are you okay? You're being a bit...melodramatic."

"Call me Sirius Melodramatic Black," the boy said ironically. "I'm just trying to make a point. Next year, we need to pull as many pranks as possible, throw as many parties as possible and make the last of our youth."

"Merlin, the way you talk it sounds like we're about to die," Peter chuckled.

"Merlin, no! I just think that our last time here should be special."

"I agree," said James. "But I also think that life after Hogwarts will be fun. I mean, imagine getting to choose exactly what to do all day-"

"Helps when you're rich," Peter cut in.

"-And imagine all the fun things we'll be able to do out there in the real world! And all the memories we'll make!"

Sirius smiled, "That does sound bloody awesome!"

And then, the boys fell into happy conversation about the future, as Claudia zoned out complexly.

Because, let's face it, she didn't believe that she had much of a future to discuss.

And it pained her inside that she only had a year left to really live before it all would be over.

Most likely, that was.

The boys didn't take notice of the way she kept her eyes set on her lap as she stayed silent and barely noticeable, because they were far too much in their own worlds.

The futures were in their palms, close enough for them to see them.

But Claudia's, Claudia's was a mere fact.

Get married, produces heirs accordingly to whatever her grandmother and father decides, get older and angrier; and then hopefully die before it all gets too insufferable.

That was the future she believed to have. And it broke her heart.

But, what helped a little was the distraction of a familiar hand who took a soft hold of hers and quietly walked with her to Ingannamorte's class.

"Are you alright?" Remus asked softly after a few moments of silence.

She nodded, forcing a small smile, "M'fine."

"You sure?"

"I'm sure," she nodded, and before Remus could question her any further the two found themselves in the enclosed classroom, hearing Ingannamorte ramble about how sad she was that summer had arrived and how excited she was for everyone to evolve.

But, she did mention wether she would come back next year or not.

And that, of course, was for a reason.

Suddenly turning into an actual lesson, Claudia was pleased to hear that the topic was going to be Patronuses.

And, of course, she was rather nervous to find the professor asking her to come up and show everyone how it was done.

"No," Claudia said with a nervous smile. "I'm sorry, Professor, but I haven't done one in forever. I'm not even sure that I can do it any longer."

"Why of course you can!" Ingannamorte smiled. "And if something goes wrong, it's not exactly like anyone would judge you, right class?"

They all nodded, and with an encouraging smile from Remus and thumbs up from both Henry and Lily, the girl stood up and made her way to the front of the classroom.

She took a few deep breaths as she held out her wand and did the usual; she tried to think of a memory that was happy and strong enough for her to be able to cast the charm.

She thought about her first day at Hogwarts. She thought about befriending Betty, Inez and a rather quiet yet interesting girl named Pandora.

She thought about the first time the girls placed their  beds together and fell asleep next to one another since it was so cold.

She thought about returning home for Christmas, and facing a happy and healthy mum who smothered her in love and happiness. A mum who squeezed her hands three times over and over again, silently saying the three most wonderful words.

She thought about returning home for the summer, and finding Gemma there was well.

And then, there was a gap.

Next thing she knew, she thought about the time she fell into a snowball fight with a boy she barely knew, yet liked far more than she probably should have.

She thought about the night when she and Remus had had patrols together. The night when she had hugged him and finally defeated her mean thoughts for once.

She thought about making new friends, and keeping her old ones.

And she thought about kissing Remus Lupin for the first time.

And then, alas, without even having to say the incantation, a bright light emerged from her wand in the form of an animal.

Yet, it was not what she had expected.

It was no Raven like it used to be.

No, it was a wolf.

Specifically a she-wolf.

Finding herself completely baffled at the sight of the wolf who ran around the room of amazed students, and lingered a little around Remus, Claudia didn't notice when she broke out into a smile.

But she did, because she knew just as well as he did that even magic knew that they belonged together simply by force.

And Ingannamorte smiled as well, because she was of course aware of Remus' condition, and she was sure as hell aware that Claudia's patronus changing into a wolf was no coincidence.

After a little bit of fun, the girl sat back down next to Remus, took his hand, squeezed it three times and returned her attention back to the class, that soon, after some goodbyes, ended.

The girl wasn't surprised at all once Ingannamorte asked her to stay after, however.

Let's get this over with, she thought to herself, telling Remus that he could leave since she was going to her own dorm for the night anyways, and then walking up to the professor once all the students of the small little club had left.

"I wanted to apologise for last time," Ingannamorte began. "I'm very sorry for being so straightforward, it's just that..."

"That...?"

"You see, Claudia, I have got a lot to tell you."

The girl nodded, "So I've realised."

"But I cannot tell you here at Hogwarts," she said. "I intend to do so once I've left...for good."

"You're leaving for good?"

"That depends," she said. "It was my original plan, yes. I don't want to be so tied down by Dumbledore's decisions. And, I want to offer you something."

"What?"

"I know you don't know me very well," Ingannamorte began. "I know you basically don't know me at all. But there's not much to know if you exclude my past. I like colourful jumpsuits, record players, plants, soup and Billie Holiday more than life itself."

"Billie Holiday?"

"Billie Holiday," she nodded. "Have you ever linstened to her?"

"Oh, yes. My mum would play her sometimes."

"Really?" Ingannamorte asked, smiling faintly. "Oh, she was always so obsessed with Frankie Valli, she completely neglected Billie Holiday! I'm so glad that she actually gave her a chance!"

"Well, it was probably because of  you."

"Probably, yes. But, anyway, that's not the point. The point is, I was born in South Africa, but I moved to Surrey when I was very young. I'm pureblooded, but obviously not the kind everyone in this country loves. I was sorted into Slytherin when I was eleven, and I had a lot of friends but your mum was one who stood out. After school I worked at the Leaky Cauldron for a while, and...and that's where I met the man who soon would be my husband."

Claudia nodded, giving her a look that she couldn't quite read. "And I guess you can't tell me more right now?"

"No, I can't," the professor said. "But I want to. Because you're Anne's girl and I want to protect you."

"And how are you going to do that?"

Ingannamorte stayed silent for a while, and then she decided to just get it over with.

"I want you to live with me."

Claudia gasped slightly, "You...what?"

"I know that you're father is no good man. I know that because I know him more than you think that I do. And because of that, I want you to be raised the way your mother would've wanted you to."

"But I'm already 17?"

"But you're still just a girl," she smiled sadly. "And I want to give you the things that your mother never got the chance to give you."

Claudia shook her head, "I don't even know you."

"I know. That's why I want you to come visit me so that I can tell you everything. And this time around I really do mean everything."

Claudia took a deep breath as she thought, "And you're not like a serial killer or something?"

"If I was a serial killer I probably wouldn't have been here," she assured. "And you probably wouldn't have been alive right now."

Claudia nodded, "Okay."

"Okay?"

"I'll visit you. But that's only if you promise to tell me everything."

"Of course," she nodded, and then she explained that she lived just near, by pure coincidence, the first apartment Anne had owned by herself when Claudia was a little girl.

So, naturally, Claudia knew just the way.

"I'll write to you," Ingannamorte said.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Claudia responded. "Father will know."

"Then I'll get ahold of you in another way," Ingannamorte grinned, sending her a wink.

"Can't you return next year?" Claudia suddenly asked. "You're the best defence teacher I've ever had."

"Well, something tells me that I'll see you again, Claudia," Ingannamorte smiled, feeling completely baffled as the girl actually brought her into a hug.

"You'll tell me more about her, won't you?" Claudia whispered.

"Every last detail," Ingannamorte whispered back, and smiled melancholily as the hug broke. "Well, I'll see you soon. I guess this is goodbye for now."

"I'll see you later," Claudia smiled, and then she walked towards the door only to be stopped once again.

"Call me Fayola," was all the woman said.

Claudia smiled, "See you later, Fayola."

And Fayola smiled, watching her go.

Because it really was Anne's girl, right down to the core.

The only trail of Charles Maple were those goddamn eyes. But there was something so kind and magical about hers, unlike his.

Later, as Claudia walked back to her dorm, a million thought about her patronus, Fayola and the future swirling in her mind, she heard a loud noise, and spotted a distraught Regulus leaving the Room of Requirement.

And, staring right at her, the boy began to cry as if it was the only thing that he had left to do.

__________________________________

a/n: time for ANOTHER whirlwind of emotions

seventh year will actually be a bit shorter than all the others ;)))) so we're closer than you may think to the end

and it's so EXCITING!!!