Nova opted out of eating in the Great Hall. She'd rather not have people whispering about her. She knew word of everything she said during DADA was spreading through the school faster than wildfire. She knew people either began to believe her, or they are 100% convinced she has some screws loose. 

Harry, Ron, and Hermione left halfway through dinner, unable to deal with the stares. Harry, as per usual nowadays, was furious. Why couldn't they see he was right? Why wouldn't anyone believe him?

His gaze shifted to Nova, who sat on the couch, reading her book. His anger faded, one could see it in his eyes. Hermione sure could. 

Harry plopped himself onto the couch. He rested his head in Nova's lap. Nova, who had been reading, didn't notice as she began to play with his hair. Harry gazed into the flames. He felt emotionally exhausted. 

Crookshanks curled himself into Hermione's lap like a furry ginger cushion. 

"How can Dumbledore have let this happen?" Hermione yelled in furry, shocking her friends. Ron nearly fell out of his chair, and Nova's book smacked Harry's face causing him to groan and rub his forehead. Even Crookshanks was startled. "How can he let that terrible woman teach us? And in our O.W.L. year too!"

"Well, we've never had great Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, have we?" said Harry. "You know what it's like, Hagrid told us, nobody wants the job, they say it's jinxed." 

"What's Pa to you?" Nova joked. 

"That's not what I meant," Harry said hotly. 

"I know that, darlin," Nova teased. "Calm down, will ya?"

Harry grinned and rolled his eyes.

"Yes, but to employ someone who's actually refusing to let us do magic! What's Dumbledore playing at?" 

"And she's trying to get people to spy for her," said Ron darkly. "Remember when she said she wanted us to come and tell her if we hear anyone saying You-Know-Who's back?" 

"Of course she's here to spy on us all, that's obvious, why else would Fudge have wanted her to come?" snapped Hermione. 

"Don't start arguing again," said Harry wearily, as Ron opened his mouth to retaliate. "Can't we just . . . Let's just do that homework, get it out of the way. . . ."

By now, people began entering the Common Room. Harry kept his gaze averted, but he knew of the stares he was attracting. Nova, with her back against the armrest, had the bottoms of her fuzzy socked feet against Harry's thighs. She wasn't tall enough for them to be in his lap while still sitting up, but her feet were cold so she kept them there. 

"Shall we do Snape's stuff first?" said Ron, dipping his quill into his ink. " 'The properties . . . of moonstone . . . and its uses . . . in potion-making . . .' " Ron muttered, writing the words across the top of his parchment as he spoke them. "There." He underlined the title, then looked up expectantly at Hermione. 

"So what are the properties of moonstone and its uses in potion-making?" 

Hermione wasn't paying attention. Instead, her narrowed eyes were on Fred and George as innocent-looking first years ate their demented sweets. 

"No, I'm sorry, they've gone too far," she said, standing up and looking positively furious. "Come on, Ron." 

"I — what?" said Ron, plainly playing for time. "No — come on, Hermione — we can't tell them off for giving out sweets. . . ." 

"You know perfectly well that those are bits of Nosebleed Nougator — or Puking Pastilles or —" 

"Fainting Fancies?" Harry suggested quietly.

"Tongue Toffees," Nova added. 

One by one, as though hit over the heads with invisible mallets, the first years were slumping unconscious in their seats; some slid right onto the floor, others merely hung over the arms of their chairs, their tongues lolling out. Most of the people watching were laughing; Hermione, however, squared her shoulders and marched directly over to where Fred and George now stood with clipboards, closely observing the unconscious first years. Ron rose halfway out of his chair, hovered uncertainly for a moment or two, then muttered to Harry, "She's got it under control," before sinking as low in his chair as his lanky frame permitted. 

"That's enough!" Hermione said forcefully to Fred and George, both of whom looked up in mild surprise. 

"Yeah, you're right," said George, nodding, "this dosage looks strong enough, doesn't it?" 

"I told you this morning, you can't test your rubbish on students!" 

"We're paying them!" said Fred indignantly. 

"I don't care, it could be dangerous!" 

"Rubbish," said Fred. 

"Calm down, Hermione, they're fine!" said Lee reassuringly as he walked from first year to first year, inserting purple sweets into their open mouths. 

"Yeah, look, they're coming round now," said George.

A few first years were beginning to stir. 

"Nova," a small voice asked. Nova hummed in response without looking up from her essay. "Can you help me with my homework?"

"Of course, Timmy!" Nova smiled. "Here. Sit."

Timmy, with extremely messy hair, sat with his back against the couch. Nova, Harry, and Ron have not moved. 

"What did you need help with?" Nova asked, looking over his shoulder. 

"I need help with my essay on animagi," Timothy answered. 

Ron started to snigger, and Harry noticed the smirk growing on Nova's face. 

"What are the requirements?" Nova asked. 

"I must define what an animagus is in detail and how to become one or a general idea of how to become one," Timmy answered gloomily. 

"For your introduction start with . . ." Nova thought to herself. She knew if she gave him a decent intro, he should be able to figure it out, or at least she hoped. "'What is an animagus? By definition, an animagus is a shapeshifting wizard or witch that can turn into their spirit animal or 'Patronus' at will. As simple as it seems, the process is not easy.'" Nova paused as she watched Timmy write. "'Shapeshifting' is one word."

"Oh, right," Timmy blushed. 

"It's alright to make mistakes," Nova grinned at him. "Now, I'll give you a list of the steps on how to become one, leaving you to write it in your own words. Minnie would recognize my writing style."

"You never handed in homework!" Ron laughed. 

"Then what did you give her?" Timmy asked. 

"Illustrations and love letters," Nova said bluntly. 

"Don't mess with them, love," Harry laughed before turning to Timmy. "She only ever did homework for McGonagall's class and Lupin's."

"Speaking of which," Nova said, standing. "I need to owl my Pa. I'll see you tomorrow, boys. Goodnight!" Nova began to walk towards the stairs when she stopped. "Timmy, make sure you don't stay up too late. Nothing past 10:30."

Lavender and Parvati were not in the dorm, nor was Hermione. This left Nova alone, which she didn't mind. 

She placed her headphones on her head and began to write the message to her dads. 

Wassup, Padres!? -Moonfoot

The response was almost instant. 

The sky. -Moony

Alligators. -Dadfoot

Where the fuck did you get 'alligators'? -Moony

Now, now, Pa. Don't be a swearwolf. -Padfoot

Yeah, Pa! A child is present! -Moonfoot

I wouldn't get too happy, Nova Lily. We got a letter from Minnie today. Do you happen to know anything about that? -Moony

Nope! I haven't the faintest idea. -Moonfoot

Why don't I believe you? -Dadfoot

Why do chickens have feathers? -Moonfoot

To keep the chicken warm. -Moony

Exactly. No one can answer that. It's impossible to answer. -Moonfoot

I just answered. -Moony

Anything new with the Order? -Moonfoot

No. Same old. Same old. How's Harry? -Dadfoot

Harry's an emotional and angry lil shit right now. -Moonfoot

It's probably just hormones. You should've seen your father and Uncle Prongs at his age. -Moony

Oi!-Dadfoot

But, Pa, it isn't just hormones. -Moonfoot

What do you mean? -Moony

I was not hormonal! -Dadfoot

I think it's Voldemort. It's almost like something is shifting beneath his eyes in some moments. This is generally around the time he gets angry and snippy. I think it's Voldemort's way of making him feel alone. Harry, who has never brought this up before, mentioned how Ron and Hermione weren't there for the 'major' parts in first, second, and last year. I think Voldemort is manipulating into thinking he was forced to go through the worst of it alone. If I were Voldemort, I'd want Harry to feel isolated. 

I always have to calm him down. Earlier today, I flicked his nose for him to snap out of it. I guess that worked. -Moonfoot

Alright. I'll inform the Order. -Moony

No boys, right? -Dadfoot

DA! -Moonfoot

It's a sirius question!-Dadfoot

I haven't even been here for a week! -Moonfoot

Didn't stop you from getting detention! -Moony

. . . -Moonfoot

Dun dun da! -Dadfoot

I've been exposed. -Moonfoot

Now, why did my sweet and innocent daughter get detention? -Moony

Nova could practically hear the sarcasm. 

Why don't you tell me? You have the letter.- Moonfoot

But I wanna hear it from you. -Moony

That's the tea, sis! -Dadfoot

Sirius! -Moony

Sorry . . .I didn't know what to say. -Dadfoot

Nova Lily, did you or did you not put your feet on the desk? -Moony

I did. -Moonfoot

Did you correct your professor? -Dadfoot

a). she isn't qualified to teach. b). On which occasion? -Moonfoot

Did you give her 'teaching tips'. -Moony

Of course! Pa, you make pretty high standards and one must attempt to live up to them. -Moonfoot

Did you repeatedly correct her on your last name?-Dadfoot

Duh. If she can't call me by the right name, I refuse to call her 'Professor Umbridge'. -Moonfoot

Did you seriously ask if she wanted you to throw a rock at dark wizards instead of using magic, as she is teaching? -Moony

Definitely . . .Actually, that'd be really fucking funny. Imagine Voldemort just coming up to you and you just launch a boulder at his arse. -Moonfoot

Did you tell her that due to your past professors, it was a huge probability? -Dadfoot

Of course! But definitely not Pa, he couldn't hurt a fly. -Moonfoot

Did you list off multiple terrible things in the world, including your professor, when she said there was nothing out there? -Moony

That would be correct, padre numero uno! -Moonfoot

Did you tell her Voldemort is back? -Dadfoot

Technically, Harry started that trend. I simply went along with it. -Moonfoot

If Harry jumped off the Astronomy Tower, would you? -Moony

 Do you want me to answer honestly or . . . ? -Moonfoot

I can feel my grey hairs growing. -Moony

I'm putting baby gates up at Hogwarts .-Dadfoot

What? Someone has to make sure he gets to the bottom alive! -Moonfoot

Is it true you said her teacher's birth was a tragic accident? -Moony

Yup! She looks like a fucking toad. I can live without that. -Moonfoot

BRILLIANT! -Dadfoot

Sirius! NO! -Moony

Did you really tell her the Minister doesn't want to shag her and she should move on? -Dadfoot

Yes, sir! -Moonfoot

THAT'S MY DAUGHTER BITCHES! -Dadfoot

SIRIUS! -Moony

Did you leave the classroom, making a dramatic exit? -Dadfoot

What other way would I leave? -Moonfoot

Walking out the door . . .-Moony

Awesome! -Dadfoot

Is there something both you and Minerva left out? -Moony

Nova stopped for a moment. She had told Minnie about what Unbitch said about werewolves, the older woman was livid. Nova was grateful Minnie hadn't told her dads about that. Had she, Sirius would be in Azkaban for murder . . .for real this time. 

No. -Moonfoot

Lion, you need to behave. I know she's a bitch, but you need to control your temper. She's going to try and give you detention every chance she gets. Be a perfect angel so she can't give you one. -Moony

Pa, I can't be an angel when I rose up from hell. -Moonfoot

Sirius! This is your fault! -Moony

How is it my fault? -Dadfoot

She gets it from your half of the genes! -Moony

Right . . .anyways . . .How's Tonks? -Moonfoot

She's pregnant. -Dadfoot

Are we talking one-night stand or . . . - Moonfoot

We went along with the procedure. The baby should be due in early May. -Moony

HELL YEAH! -Moonfoot

Keep the swearing to a minimum. -Moony

Don't be a hypocrite, Moons. You sprouted cuss words every time you stubbed your toe. Nova's first sentence was quite literally, 'fucking bastard'. -Dadfoot

You're joking! -Moonfoot

Nope! -Dadfoot

***

The following night at quarter till five, Harry set off towards Umbridge's office. He needed to be on time, if not early, to get on her good side. Quidditch tryouts for the Gryffindor Keeper were set at the same time as his detentions, meaning he had to try and sway his detention. Nova, who had her detention set for seven every night, didn't need to worry about that. 

At a quarter till seven, Nova set out for Umbitch's office. She decided not to wear the typical Gryffindor female apparel. Instead, she wore a Gryffindor Quidditch hoodie (obviously Harry's), a leather jacket, ripped jeans, and the four-inch high-heeled boots Tonks had given her (that she absolutely adored). 

As she was walking, Nova found Harry. He seemed livid and troubled at the same time. 

"Hiya, Harold!" Nova chirped. 

Harry spun around to look at her. 

"You can't go in there," Harry stated in a worried tone. 

"Well hello to you too," Nova muttered sarcastically. Her eyes' drifted towards Harry's hand. It was red and irritated. 

"I'm not joking. Love, you can't go in there." Harry persisted. 

"And why the bloody hell not?" Nova crossed her arms. 

Subconsciously, Harry's hand clenched. His action did not go unnoticed by Nova. 

"Harry, what's wrong with your hand?" 

"Nothing."

"Okay . . ." Nova trailed off. 

"Please. Don't go in there." Harry pleaded. 

"I have to," Nova stated. "I'll be fine."

Harry was not convinced but moved to walk past her. Before he could go far, a hand wrapped around his wrist. The grip was strong as it pulled him back, spinning him around to come face to face with his best friend even if she was shorter than him. 

"Shit about to go down!" Regulus chanted. 

"BUSTED!" James yelled.

"Harry, please tell me this isn't what I think it is," Nova spoke in a scarily calm voice. 

"Depends . . ." Harry said cooly. "What do you think you think it is?"

"Don't get fancy with your grammar, darlin," Nova stated, but there was no laughter in her voice. "Har, what did she make you write?"

"'I must not tell lies'. It's honestly not that bad." Harry assured. 

"Stop pretending it's nothing!" Nova hissed. "It's not! She's having you write in a fucking blood quill!"

"Okay . . ."

"It's illegal. People have died from it." Nova stated. 

"I'm not reporting this. If I do, she wins." Harry said stubbornly. 

Nova rolled her eyes. 

"I didn't say to report this." Nova said calmly, but Harry could see the fire in her eyes. "I'm going to cloak the redness. When I get back, I'll give you some medicine that should help with the pain."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"You're not going in there." Harry stated. 

"Yes, I am." Nova rolled her eyes. 

"No, you aren't."

"Yes, I am."

"No-"

"Listen, Harold. I'm going in there. I'll be a good little girl." Nova stated. "I'll see you back in the Common Room."

Nova began to walk away. Harry had not moved. 

"Oh, and, Potter," Nova stopped to turn and face him. "You don't have to tell anyone, but I would've expected you to tell me. You can lie to everyone else, but not me. I can see through them anyway."

Harry watched sadly as she disappeared down the corridor. He knew she was more than capable of defending herself. What worried him was the lengths Umbridge would go to, especially if she were looking for information. Nova's too stubborn to let anything slip. 

"Come in," a sickly sweet voice called as Nova rapped her knuckle against the door. 

The moment she stepped through the threshold, Nova would've instantly taken being stated by her dads . . .wrestling . . .than whatever her office was supposed to be. It was all pink with different shades. There were cat portraits everywhere.

Dolores Umbridge has officially ruined the color pink. 

"Welcome, Miss Black."

"Actually, it's Lupin-Black," Nova corrected in a sincere voice. 

"You will be doing lines," Umbridge said, ignoring Nova's previous statement. 

"What will I be writing and how many times?" Nova asked, acting like she knew nothing. She retrieves a ballpoint pen from her jacket. 

"No need for the muggle tool," Umbridge said with a sinister smile. "I have a quill for you to use."

"Oh, okay," Nova shrugged and sat down at the desk. "What is it I'll be writing?"

"You will be writing, 'I am an abomination. I am a monster.'" Nova's face must've portrayed shock because Umbridge laughed evilly. "I do believe you know the true nature of your birth?"

"Yes. Yes, I do," Nova informed. "How many times?"

"Until it sinks in." Umbridge grinned both maliciously and sweetly. 

Nova knew this was a blood quill. She wondered what type of bloody quill. There were those that just wrote on your hand with your blood. There were ones that made you relieve your worse nightmare. There were ones that were tipped with poison to keep the wound from closing. 

I am an abomination. I am a monster. 

I am an abomination. I am a monster. 

I am an abomination. I am a monster.

I am an abomination. I am a monster.

I am an abomination. I am a monster.

Nova tried her hardest not to wince as the words appeared on her hand in nearly perfect penmanship. If the words were gonna scare, at least they'd look good. 

I am an abomination. I am a monster.

I am an abomination. I am a monster.

I am an abomination. I am a monster.

Blood began to flow openly from Nova's clenched hand. She continued to write. She didn't stop. Her jaw was clenched as she was determined to remain indifferent but . . .

Son of a bloody fucking shit it hurt! 

Umbridge watched Nova curiously. She was waiting for her to give in, beg for mercy. 

But Lupin-Blacks did not beg for mercy. They proved they could overcome any challenge that was thrown their way. Nova is a Lupin-Black and will not beg for anything. 

"I'm going to fucking kill a bitch!" Lily yelled, jumping to her feet. 

"It's illegal!" Marlene yelled. 

"Guys! We went through this with Harry, there's no point," Regulus stated being the pessimist he is. 

"There wasn't blood flowing down his fucking arm!" Marlene growled. 

A couple of hours had passed before Umbridge spoke. 

"Hand," She demanded. Nova delicately placed her hand within Umbridge's reach. The woman yanked her forward harshly. "Looks like I'll need to up my dosage. You're already healing."

Nova simply nodded before returning to the Common Room. She doubted anyone would be awake, but she was wrong. A distressed-looking Harry sat with his head in his hands. 

Nova quickly cloaked the scars on her hand.

"Love," Harry breathed looking at her. "Are you alright?"

"I'm alright," Nova smiled, but it soon fell. Her face switched between a smile and a frown as she desperately tried not to cry. 

Harry stood abruptly, wrapping her small muscular body in his arms. He didn't notice it, but he wasn't angry anymore. It was almost as if it all faded away at the mere thought of Nova. 

"Hey, hey," Harry said soothingly as he ran a hand repeatedly down her hair. "It's alright."

"She knows the true nature of my birth," Nova said a silent tears fell down her face. "Think of how much worse she is gonna be now. She clearly doesn't approve of any other couples besides what is thought to be traditional by most of the world."

"Nova, what did she make you write?" Harry asked as he pulled away slightly.

"Same as you," Nova answered rather stiffly. "I'm just being overdramatic and worrying about my dads."

"Humm...." Harry hummed in response, clearly not believing her. However, he learned a long time ago, when Nova says she doesn't want to talk about it, you don't push it. "Is there you need in your fit of dramatics?"

Nova's lip twinged slightly as if wanting to smile. 

"Could you . . ." Nova trailed off shyly. "Could you just hold me?" 

In response, Harry wrapped his arms around Nova again before laying back on the couch. Instantly, Nova curled herself into his chest. Harry pulled her closer to him. 

Both teens ignored the rapid beating of their chests, hoping if they did, the other wouldn't notice. 

Soft breaths fell from Nova's lips, telling Harry she was asleep. 

He leaned forward (as best as he could), kissing the top of her head. 

Before he knew it, Harry was asleep too.