Nova strutted down the corridors with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. 

Ron's red hair happily sat atop his head. His blue eyes sparkled as he laughed with Harry. He easily toward over Nova, but only stood an inch taller than Harry. Decked out in his new Gryffindor robes, Ron's ankle was no longer hanging out in the open.  

Hermione's bushy brown hair was tied into a bun. Her brown eyes shone with amusement as Nova made some remark. As always, Hermione's uniform was in the perfect of perfect condition, not a wrinkle in sight. 

Harry, the second tallest out of the group, strolled along lazily as his cloak blew behind him slightly. His tie was loose and crooked (even though Nova had already fixed it five times today). His messy raven hair had a small curl to it and his emerald green eyes were framed by his wire-rimmed glasses.

Nova's golden caramel hair danced behind her as she walked. Her Gryffindor tie was untied as is hung around her neck for the sake of being there. Her white button-up shirt was tucked into her pleated skirt that hung from her hips. The shirt was loose but tucked in enough you could see her figure. Her black converses hit the ground as she walked. 

They were known throughout the school as the Golden Quartet, but you already knew that (or at least I hoped you did). Since their little field trip last year, their popularity had only grown . . .not that any of them particularly cared. 

"Oh how I wish upon every star in the sky . . ." Nova began in a dreamy voice like one of those Disney princesses. 

"Why is she acting weird?" Regulus asked. 

"Reg!" Marlene hit him with a pillow. "You can't just ask that!"

"Yes, my love?" Harry teased. 

"To murder Snape." Nova said darkly. "In several different ways."

"That's more like my daughter," Sirius grinned. "My violent little lion."

"Your lion isn't so little anymore," Lily said with a small grin. 

"Shhh, Lilykins!" Sirius whispered. 

"Yeah, Lily!" James teased. "Don't offend the big baby!"

"Oi!"

"Now, now, Siri," Alex grinned. "Don't talk to your elders like that!"

Ron lost it and was struggling to find breath.

"And, bro," Nova began as she turned to Harry. "That was some cheesy arse shit. Never say that again."

Hermione hid her face behind her books as she sniggered. 

"Don't worry that was weird for me too," Harry said grimly. 

"Let's agree that sentence never came out of her mouth," Nova nodded. 

"Why are you so . . ." Ron began. " . . .not . . .frilly pink princess . . .?"

"Because I'm a fucking queen," Nova answered at the same time Hermione said, "She's our angry and violent little puffball."

Nova scowled. 

Harry ruffled her hair. 

"Touch. My. Hair. Again. Without. Permission. And. You. Won't. Get. Cuddles. For. Three. Weeks." Nova growled. "And. I. Won't. Kiss. You."

Harry's eyes widened in fear before hurriedly replying, "Sorry, love."

Nova blew him a kiss as they entered Snape's new classroom. 

Snape had imposed his personality upon the room already; it was gloomier than usual, as curtains had been drawn over the windows, and was lit by candlelight. New pictures adorned the walls, many of them showing people who appeared to be in pain, sporting grisly injuries or strangely contorted body parts. Nobody spoke as they settled down, looking around at the shadowy, gruesome pictures. 

"I swear," Ron murmured. "This Aunty Muriel arse man is freaking Dracula."

Nova laughed loudly, not even attempting to hide her amusement. 

"I have not asked you to take out your books," said Snape, closing the door and moving to face the class from behind his desk; Hermione hastily dropped her copy of Confronting the Faceless back into her bag and stowed it under her chair. 

"I wish to speak to you, and I want your fullest attention."His black eyes roved over their upturned faces, lingering for a fraction of a second longer on Harry's than anyone else's."You have had five teachers in this subject so far, I believe." 

"You believe . . . like you haven't watched them all come and go, Snape, hoping you'd be next,"  Harry whispered scathingly to Nova.

Nova bit her lip as she tried to hide her laughter, but the side of her mouth twitched showing she was smiling slightly. 

Harry grinned.  

"Naturally, these teachers will all have had their own methods and priorities. Given this confusion, I am surprised so many of you scraped an O.W.L. in this subject. I shall be even more surprised if all of you manage to keep up with the N.E.W.T. work, which will be much more advanced." 

Snape glared at Harry and Nova as he spoke. Nova gave him a sarcastic grin as she waved at him, only causing the man to harshen his glare. Snape set off around the edge of the room, speaking now in a lower voice; the class craned their necks to keep him in view. 

"The Dark Arts," said Snape, "are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible."

Nova and Ron shared a glance. Both noted the differences between respecting the Dark Arts (as Nova does) and loving them (like Snape does). 

"Your defenses," said Snape, a little louder, "must therefore be as flexible and inventive as the arts you seek to undo. These pictures"— he indicated a few of them as he swept past — "give a fair representation of what happens to those who suffer, for instance, the Cruciatus Curse" — he waved a hand toward a witch who was clearly shrieking in agony — "feel the Dementor's Kiss" — a wizard lying huddled and blank-eyed, slumped against a wall — "or provoke the aggression of the Inferius" — a bloody mass upon the ground. 

"Has an Inferius been seen, then?" said Parvati in a high-pitched voice. "Is it definite, is he using them?"

"The Dark Lord has used Inferi in the past," said Snape, "which means you would be well-advised to assume he might use them again. Now . . ." 

He set off again around the other side of the classroom toward his desk, and again, they watched him as he walked, his dark robes billowing behind him. 

". . . you are, I believe, complete novices in the use of nonverbal spells. What is the advantage of a nonverbal spell?" 

Hermione's hand shot into the air. Snape took his time looking around at everybody else, making sure he had no choice, before saying curtly, "Very well — Miss Granger?" 

"Your adversary has no warning about what kind of magic you're about to perform," said Hermione, "which gives you a split-second advantage." 

"An answer copied almost word for word from The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six," said Snape dismissively (Hermione blushed, and Nova scowled), "but correct in essentials. Yes, those who progress to using magic without shouting incantations gain an element of surprise in their spell-casting. Not all wizards can do this, of course; it is a question of concentration and mind power which some" —his gaze lingered maliciously upon Harry once more — "lack." 

Harry knew Snape was thinking of their disastrous Occlumencylessons of the previous year. He refused to drop his gaze, but glowered at Snape until Snape looked away. 

"You will now divide," Snape went on, "into pairs. One partner will attempt to jinx the other without speaking. The other will attempt to repel the jinx in equal silence. Carry on." 

Although Snape did not know it, Harry and Nova had taught at least half the class (everyone who had been a member of the D.A.) how to perform a Shield Charm the previous year. None of them had ever cast the charm without speaking, however. A reasonable amount of cheating ensued; many people were merely whispering the incantation instead of saying it aloud. Typically, ten minutes into the lesson Hermione managed to repel Neville's muttered Jelly Legs Jinx without uttering a single word, a feat that would surely have earned her twenty points for Gryffindor from any reasonable teacher, thought Nova bitterly, but which Snape ignored. He swept between them as they practiced, looking just as much like an overgrown bat as ever, lingering to watch Harry and Ron struggling with the task.

Nova sat in her seat with her feet propped up on the desk as she lazily watched the class. She ignored Snape's glare on her as she happily drummed her fingers to a beat of a song playing in her brain.

Ron, who was supposed to be jinxing Harry, was purple in the face, his lips tightly compressed to save himself from the temptation of muttering the incantation. Harry had his wand raised, waiting on tenterhooks to repel a jinx that seemed unlikely ever to come. 

"Pathetic, Weasley," said Snape, after a while. "Here — let me show you —" 

He turned his wand on Harry so fast that Harry reacted instinctively; all thoughts of nonverbal spells forgotten, he yelled, "Protego!" 

His Shield Charm was so strong Snape was knocked off-balance and hit a desk. The whole class had looked around and now watched as Snape righted himself, scowling. 

Nova groaned into her hands.

"Do you remember me telling you we are practicing nonverbal spells, Potter?" 

"Yes," said Harry stiffly. 

"Yes, sir."

"There's no need to call me 'sir,' Professor." 

The words had escaped him before he knew what he was saying. Several people gasped, including Hermione. Behind Snape, however, Ron, Dean, and Seamus grinned appreciatively. Nova lost it was she laughed heartily. 

"That's my son, peasants!" James celebrated. 

"Oi! That's my godson! I taught him sass!" Sirius yelled. 

"Detention, Saturday night, my office," said Snape. "I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter . . . not even 'the Chosen One.' " 

Nova continued to laugh. 

"Miss Black," Snape growled. "I suggest you zip it or you will be joining Mr. Potter for detention. You two have always had a knack for disobeying authority figures. Just like your fathers."

"Oooo! Snivels wants to die today!" Sirius growled. 

"Just wait, Padfoot," James placed a hand on his shoulder. "Nova is about to roast the shit out of him."

"Let's get a few things straight, Snivels," Nova stated strongly before getting to her feet. "First, I am a Lupin-Black, get it right. Second, our insubordination stems from the emotional abuse we faced from years of your voice and face. Third, Harry has yet to master nonverbal spells, he simply defended himself-"

"Why would he need to protect himself from me?" Snape sneered. 

"There's the fact you are ruthless and will gladly kill Harry in a blink of an eye," Nova noted. "There's also the fact he has been facing Voldemort since he was a baby. If you wanted to demonstrate how nonverbal spells work, allow someone to cast the spell on you, coward."

Snape began to sneer, "Miss-"

"I'm. Not. Finished." Nova held a hand up. "I can embarrass you in two words. I suggest you take your bitterness for ruining your relationship-"

Nova paused with a wicked teasing grin.

"Oh wait!" Nova began to taunt. "It was a friendship. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact you're nothing but a bulling prat-"

"Black."

"Lupin-Black." Nova chirped. 

Snape sneered and raised his wand to Nova. With a flourish of his wand, blue sparks flew at Nova.

Her wand appeared in her hand faster than sound as she deflected the spell. 

"And that, class," Nova grinned addressing her classmates. "Is how a nonverbal Sheild Charm should be performed!" 

Nova strutted to the classroom door. "See ya, Snivs! I'll see you in detention!"

***

When the Golden Quartet arrived in the corridor they saw that there were only a dozen people progressing to N.E.W.T. level. Crabbe and Goyle had evidently failed to achieve the required O.W.L. grade, but four Slytherins had made it through, including Blaise and Theo. Four Ravenclaws were there, and one Hufflepuff, Ernie Macmillan.

"Harry," Ernie said portentously, holding out his hand as Harry approached, "didn't get a chance to speak in Defense Against theDark Arts this morning. Good lesson, I thought, but Shield Charms are old hat, of course, for us old D.A. lags . . . And how are you, Nova,  Ron — Hermione?" 

Before they could say more than "fine," the dungeon door opened and Slughorn's belly preceded him out of the door. As they filed into the room, his great walrus mustache curved above his beaming mouth, and he greeted Harry, Nova, and Blaise with particular enthusiasm. 

The dungeon was, most unusually, already full of vapors and odd smells. Harry, Nova, Ron, and Hermione sniffed interestedly as they passed large, bubbling cauldrons.

"Darlin," Nova leaned over to Harry as they stood in the back of the class. "Did you bathe in your cologne or something?"

"No. You're the one that used a whole bottle of rose shampoo and your perfume," Harry whispered back. 

Lily was grinning wickedly. 

"That's fifteen galleons from all of you. Pay up," she smirked. 

"Oh come on!" Alex groaned. 

"Don't think these means I approve of you, Potter," Sirius growled. 

Lily smacked the back of his head. 

"Then why do I smell your rose shampoo mixed with a hint of lavender? That's distinctly what you smell of."

Hermione was smirking to herself. 

Before Nova could find a retort, Slughorn spoke. 

"Now then, now then, now then," said Slughorn, whose massive outline was quivering through the many shimmering vapors."Scales out, everyone, and potion kits, and don't forget your copies of Advanced Potion-Making. . . ." 

"Sir?" said Harry, raising his hand. 

"Harry, m'boy?" 

"I haven't got a book or scales or anything — nor's Ron — we didn't realize we'd be able to do the N.E.W.T., you see —" 

"Ah, yes, Professor McGonagall did mention . . . not to worry, my dear boy, not to worry at all. You can use ingredients from the store cupboard today, and I'm sure we can lend you some scales, and we've got a small stock of old books here, they'll do until you can write to Flourish and Blotts. . . ." 

Slughorn strode over to a corner cupboard and after a moment's foraging emerged with two very battered-looking copies of Advanced Potion-Making by Libatius Borage, which he gave to Harry and Ron along with two sets of tarnished scales. 

"Now then," said Slughorn, returning to the front of the class and inflating his already bulging chest so that the buttons on his waistcoat threatened to burst off, "I've prepared a few potions for you to have a look at, just out of interest, you know. These are the kind of thing you ought to be able to make after completing yourN.E.W.T.s. You ought to have heard of 'em, even if you haven't made 'em yet. Anyone tell me what this one is?" 

He indicated the cauldron nearest to the Slytherins. Harry raised himself slightly in his seat and saw what looked like plain water boiling away inside it. Hermione's well-practiced hand hit the air before anybody else's; Slughorn pointed at her. 

"It's Veritaserum, a colorless, odorless potion that forces the drinker to tell the truth," said Hermione. 

"Very good, very good!" said Slughorn happily. "Now," he continued, pointing at the cauldron nearest the Ravenclaw table, "this one here is pretty well known. . . . Featured in a few Ministryleaflets lately too . . . Who can — ?" 

Hermione's hand was fastest once more, but it was Nova who answered. 

"It's Polyjuice Potion, Sluggy," she said. "It's a rather time-consuming potion to brew and allows the drinker or drinkers to assume the looks of another. One would generally use a piece of hair for this potion. Sometimes, however, witches and wizards are forced to use toenails."

"Excellent, excellent! Now, this one here . . . yes, my dear?" said Slughorn, now looking slightly bemused, as Hermione's hand punched the air again. 

"It's Amortentia!" 

Nova's eyes widened in realization. That's why the room smelt of Sirius's leather jacket, Harry's cologne, chocolate, and forest air.

"It is indeed. It seems almost foolish to ask," said Slughorn, who was looking mightily impressed, "but I assume you know what it does?" 

"It's the most powerful love potion in the world!" said Hermione. 

"Quite right! You recognized it, I suppose, by its distinctive mother-of-pearl sheen?" 

"And the steam rising in characteristic spirals," said Hermioneenthusiastically, "and it's supposed to smell differently to each of us, according to what attracts us, and I can smell freshly mown grass and new parchment and —"

Harry was blushing a rather interesting shade of red. Nova saw this and smirked. 

"Don't get cocky, love," Harry whispered to her. "If I recall correctly-"

"If you two love birds would be quiet," Blaise hissed to them. "I would like to listen-"

"Zip it, Slytherpuff," Nova ordered in a hushed voice. "We all know you are too lost in Theo's musk to pay attention."

"For the record, it's not musk," Blaise rolled his eyes. "It's his shampoo."

"Awe!" Theo whispered. "Blaise! I knew you loved my shampoo! Can't deny it now!"

"May I ask your name, my dear?" said Slughorn, ignoring Hermione's embarrassment and the other's side conversation. 

"Hermione Granger, sir." 

"Granger? Granger? Can you possibly be related to HectorDagworth-Granger, who founded the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers?" 

"No, I don't think so, sir. I'm Muggle-born, you see." 

"Oho! 'One of my best friends is Muggle-born, and she's the best in our year!' I'm assuming this is the very friend of whom you spoke, Harry, Nova?" 

"Yes, sir," said Harry. 

"Twenty points to Sluggy!" Nova grinned. "I told ya, didn't I?"

"Well, well, take twenty well-earned points for Gryffindor, MissGranger," said Slughorn genially. 

Hermione turned to Harry and Nova with a radiant expression and whispered, "Did you really tell him I'm the best in the year? Oh, guys!" 

"Well, what's so impressive about that?" whispered Ron, who for some reason looked annoyed. "You are the best in the year — I'd've told him so if he'd asked me!"

"Oh, Ronald," Nova whispered with a grin as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. Admit it. You love her. I bet you smelt her perfume you got her for Christmas in that potion."

"Shove off, Nox," Ron muttered angrily as his ears turned red. 

"Amortentia doesn't really create love, of course. It is impossible to manufacture or imitate love. No, this will simply cause a powerful infatuation or obsession. It is probably the most dangerous and powerful potion in this room — oh yes," he said, nodding gravely at Malfoy, of whom were smirking skeptically."When you have seen as much of life as I have, you will not underestimate the power of obsessive love. . . . 

"And now," said Slughorn, "it is time for us to start work." 

"Sir, you haven't told us what's in this one," said Ernie Macmillan, pointing at a small black cauldron standing on Slughorn'sdesk. The potion within was splashing about merrily; it was the color of molten gold, and large drops were leaping like goldfish above the surface, though not a particle had spilled. 

"Oho," said Slughorn again. Nova was sure that Slughorn had not forgotten the potion at all, but had waited to be asked for dramatic effect. "Yes. That. Well, that one, ladies and gentlemen, is a most curious little potion called Felix Felicis. I take it," he turned, smiling, to look at Hermione, who had let out an audible gasp, "that you know what Felix Felicis does, Miss Granger?"

 "It's liquid luck," said Hermione excitedly. 

"It makes you lucky!" Nova exclaimed. 

The whole class seemed to sit up a little straightening. Now all Harry could see of Malfoy was the back of his sleek blond head, because he was, at last, giving Slughorn his full and undivided attention. 

"Quite right, take another ten points for Gryffindor. Yes, it's a funny little potion, Felix Felicis," said Slughorn. "Desperately tricky to make, and disastrous to get wrong. However, if brewed correctly, as this has been, you will find that all your endeavors tend to succeed . . . at least until the effects wear off." 

"Why don't people drink it all the time, sir?" said Terry Booteagerly. 

"Because if taken in excess, it causes giddiness, recklessness, and dangerous overconfidence," said Slughorn. "Too much of a good thing, you know . . . highly toxic in large quantities. But taken sparingly, and very occasionally . . ." 

"Have you ever taken it, sir?" asked Michael Corner with great interest.

"Twice in my life," said Slughorn. "Once when I was twenty-four, once when I was fifty-seven. Two tablespoonfuls taken with breakfast. Two perfect days."

"Get it, Sluggy!" Nova exclaimed. 

Many snorted. 

"What does that mean?" Slughorn asked with mild curiosity. 

"Oh my Merlin!" Lily said through her laughter. 

"Oh my Jesus!" Alex exclaimed. "She's actually going to tell him!"

"It's a muggle phrase . . ." Nova began slowly. "It basically means . . . getting lucky . . .in more ways than one . . ."

"What other way is there-?"

"Now, now, Sluggy," Nova began with a small smirk. "I'm sure Snape could give a better definition one the double meaning." Nova grinned sweetly. "I am rather fascinated by this lesson. I kindly request you resume."

"Right-" Slughorn began with a smile towards Nova. 

"Did you really have to dial up the 'Black Charm' to a sickening amount?" Theo groaned. 

"You weren't complaining when my 'Black Charm' came in handy when we were younger and trying to escape punishment," Nova remarked. 

***

Harry, to everyone's surprise, won the Liquid Luck. Hermione was upset and demanding Harry turn the book in. Nova found it rather hilarious although she was skeptical of the book's contents. She had a feeling it wasn't just potions. 

Ginny grew worried when she discovered Harry writing in the book. She wasn't going to lose Harry, a boy she viewed as her brother, to go the same way she had. 

Nova, still in her school uniform, patrolled the corridors in the late hours of the night. As she walked past the open windows, the crescent moon's light shone down on her and the stars twinkled in a distance. 

She was on her way back to the Common Room when someone pulled her into a broom closet. 

Nova was about to make the person very sorry when her eyes rested upon familiar green ones. 

"'Ello, love," Harry grinned cheekily. 

"Did you stalk me?" Nova asked incredulously as she caught sight of Jerry (AKA the Marauders Map). 

"No . . .I wanted to make sure you weren't attacked on patrol so I opened the map . . ." Harry said nervously. "I also wanted to spend time with you without anyone else around."

"Now, now, Mr. Potter," Nova began to pretend to scold. "You know this behavior is unacceptable."

"You haven't been the best either, Miss Lupin-Black," Harry smirked. "You've been teasing me, and I don't appreciate it."

"I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about," Nova took a step forward with a small smirk on her face. 

Harry's heart began to beat faster. 

In heaven, no one was watching the scene play out. The boys were having game night while the girls and Alex went out to have some fun. 

"Mmmm," Harry said thoughtfully. "You are really adorable when you're jealous, you know? I mean like, really, really cute."

Nova was inches away from Harry. She began to pull teasingly at his tie as the smirk on her face grew. 

"You're a tease Nova Lupin-Black and it's driving me insane," Harry murmured quietly. 

"I haven't the faintest idea what you're on about!" Nova grinned, she pulled on Harry's tie making his face come closer to hers. "Me? A tease? Never."

Harry's adam's apple bobbed slightly. He could feel Nova's warm breath dance with his.

"You know," Nova began to whisper in his ear, making sure her soft lips brushed with skin slightly as she spoke. She also made sure to pull him close enough he could smell her shampoo, which is something she knows he loved. "You cologne is rather . . .intoxicating."

Harry gave a small intake of breath. 

Nova pulled away slightly, leaving their faces centimeters apart, biting her lip as she looked up at Harry innocently. 

"I really really want to snog you senseless right now," Harry whispered as Nova slowly began to release Harry's tie. "That little thing you do where you pull my tie . . .yeah that doesn't really help."

"What? This?" Nova tugged slightly on Harry's tie with a small smirk. 

"Yeah . . ." Harry gulped. 

"How unfortunate," Nova pouted, wrapping Harry's tie around her hand slightly. "I happen to like-"

Harry connected their lips before Nova could finish. Slowly, he began backing Nova up to the wall. 

Nova's hands dropped Harry's tie as she placed them on his chest. His tongue glid across her bottom lip, asking for entrance. She granted as their tongues danced happily. 

Harry's hand went on either side of Nova against the wall as he gently pressed himself against her.  

Nova's hands slip up Harry's chest and around his neck where she pulled him closer to her with her interlocked hands behind his neck. Harry was convinced her touch would forever be imprinted into his skin. Perhaps for him, it would. 

Harry's hands found their way to the back of Nova's thighs. He lifted her off the ground slightly, telling her to jump. With a small jump, her legs were wrapped around Harry's waist. Her fingers played with the small curls in his hair behind his head. 

His grip on her thighs tightened slightly and his thumbs began to slowly rub back and forth on her skin. A small gasp escaped Nova's lips as Harry's hand slowly slid up her skirt. Harry paused for a moment, waiting for her to object . . .but nothing came to he began to kiss her again. 

Nova tugged slightly at Harry's bottom lip, knowing it made him crazy. And it did. He began to kiss her harder, causing a small groan to escape her lips. Harry grinned into the kiss. 

Harry pulled away before kissing her collar bone. It wasn't her sweet spot, and he knew it. Nova's legs tightened around Harry's waist. 

Slowly, Harry peppered small butterfly kisses around Nova's sweet spot, making her impatient. But nonetheless, the butterflies appeared. 

Nova tugged slightly at Harry's head, causing him to pull away. A wicked smirk decorated her lips as she allowed her nail to delicately slide across Harry's skin from behind his head to under his chin, sending small shivers down to his core. She gently pushed his chin up to her face. As she began to lean in, Harry began to kiss the spot where her shoulder and neck meet, centimeters above her collar bone. 

"Harry . . ." She moaned softly. 

Suddenly footsteps were heard walking down the corridor. 

Nova quickly jumped out of Harry's arms making herself look presentable seeing as her skirt was ruffle, her shirt was wrinkled, and her tie that hung around her neck undone needed to be adjusted. 

As the doorknob turned, Nova quickly turned Harry into a stag. 

"Miss Lupin-Black?" Minerva called. "What are you doing up at this odd hour?"

"I was on patrol, Minnie," Nova said pleasantly. 

"Why is there a stag?" Minerva asked as she opened the door for both Harry (as a stag) and Nova to leave. 

"I was doing patrol and I heard this poor guy struggling to stand," Nova said sincerely. She continued under her breath "Must've snogged pretty hard."

"Is that stag. . .blushing?" Minerva asked. 

Sure enough, Harry was blushing. 

"Maybe . . ."

"You know, Miss Lupin-Black," Minerva began. "This reminds me of a particular incident three years ago. I do recall it being in this exact corridor as well."

"Would you look at the parallel!" Nova said in false excitement. 

"I find that in both scenarios both stags are Mr.Potter," Minnie stated with a raised eyebrow. 

"What? No! Why would you say that?" Nova scoffed in a suspicious voice. 

Minerva waved her wand and Harry transformed back to normal (thankfully in his original state before the snogging session). 

"Harry! How'd you get there?" Nova asked as if it were the best discovery on Earth. 

"How did I get here?" Harry asked as he played along. "Minnie, did you accio me here or something?"

Minerva blinked at them. 

"Spare me whatever story is cooking in Miss Lupin-Black's mind. I know exactly what you two were doing," McGonagall stated cutting straight to the point. "I watched your fathers grow up and prank. I know when you're lying. I know you're little schemes. I've seen you two prank, even if it hasn't been as often-"

"You know, Nox, that sounds like a great idea," Harry remarked. "Pulling pranks again."

"That's a brilliant idea, Har!" Nova exclaimed. "Bye, Minnie! Thanks for the idea! See you tomorrow!"

Both Harry and Nova began to walk down the corridor before running. 

Potters and their Blacks, Blacks and their Potters. Minnie noted. 

It's always a Black and a Potter.