January faded into February. Ron and Harry had yet to apologize to Hermione. Therefore, Nova did not speak to them. 

Nova considered her actions to be petty and hypocritical.

She missed her friends. There was no point in denying it. She wanted nothing more to hear them laugh at her jokes. She wanted nothing more than to go on some crazy adventure as "The Golden Quartet" as people called them. 

But Nova was proving a point. 

As it turns out, Hermione was drowning in homework. She sat in a corner of a Common Room surrounded by books, parchment, and quills. Anytime someone would approach her, Hermione would snap. 

Nova was the only one Hermione didn't snap at. To simplify the reason, Hermione knew if she snapped at Nova, she would snap back. Also, Nova wouldn't stop bugging Hermione until she went down for meals and to take a break. 

Harry was grumpy. 

He normally was, but more so now. 

He and Ron still gave Hermione the silent treatment. His best friend was willingly ignoring him for 'choosing something petty like a broom over his best friend'. To add to it, before the holiday, he said things he wished he hadn't, and she had forgiven him. But now, until he and Hermione forgave each other, she wasn't talking to him. 

He wasn't sure why it bothered him that Nova chose Hermione over him. It bothered him more than he cared to admit. He didn't understand why she chose Hermione over him. 

As vain and narcissistic as it sounded, almost everyone would choose 'The Boy Who Lived' over a muggle-born. 

But then again, Nova wasn't most people. 

She was the type of person to do something, even if she didn't want to, just to prove a point. Her opinion wasn't easily swayed by what she read in the paper. She didn't care about fame or fortune. 

To add to it all, Harry couldn't have his broom back yet and there was a game approaching. 

The icing on the cake had to be that Harry had yet to make progress with the Patronus Charm. 

Nova, who mastered it in the second year, would've gladly helped Harry, had he not been an arsehole. Call her petty and she won't deny it. 

Her actual words might follow along the lines of:

"Then I'm a petty bitch."

Nova frequently went to see Hagrid and Snuffles. Even though Nova was supposed to be followed around everywhere she went, she managed to escape them. The charms Flickwick placed on the castle did not account for animagus forms. 

In which both father and daughter were animals. 

Moreover, they could slip past the wards. 

During the late hours of the night, when sleep was impossible, Nova would leave the castle. She wouldn't go far from the door, maybe a few yards. After almost freezing to death the first time, Nova began to use a heating charm. 

On this particular night, Nova wanted to meet Binky. Dumbledore had given Binky the power to apparate within Hogwarts grounds. Luckily, all Nova had to say was that she was worried about her house elf. 

Nova sat on the ground, ignoring the snow. Not long after she called Binky, did Snuffles appear.  

A large smile grew upon Nova's face as she caught sight of the big black dog. Snuffles seemed to be smirking as he trotted up to his daughter. He rested his head on her legs as she played with his ears and stroked his fur. 

"Mistress Nova summoned Binky," A squeaky voice sounded, alerting Snuffles of another's presence. 

"Just 'Nova', Binky," Nova said. "I thought we can talk without paper and quill."

"Binky would like that," Binky said. 

Binky did not sit, and Nova did not push her to. She had been working on using pronouns in the first person like 'I' and 'me'.

"How are things at Grimmauld Place?" Nova asked. Snuffles shuddered at the name but wondered what his daughter knew about it. 

"There are some evil and foul creatures in that house, Nova. Binky wasn't sure if she could get rid of them or not," Binky announced. 

"It's alright Binky," Nova reassured the panicking elf. "What about Kreacher and Granny Greatest?"

"Kreacher has begun to warm up to the idea of Binky staying at Grimmauld Place," Binky informed. "Binky is not sure how he'll do with you."

"Why? I have been a perfect angel!" Nova protested. Snuffles snorted. 

"He does not know anything else other than blood traitors and muggle-borns threaten him. That's what Walburga taught him." Binky informed. "Speaking of Walburga, she wanted to know if you would like to have tea when you return."

Snuffles tensed. 

"How the hell are we supposed to have tea?" Nova asked sassily. "The old hag is dead."

Snuffles snorted again. 

"I'm not sure, Nova," Binky answered. 

"Good job, Binks! You used first-person pronouns!" Nova congratulated. "Alright, tell Granny Greatest that I except on a few conditions. One, she shall not offend muggles or muggle-borns. Two, she shall not offend 'blood traitors'. Three, she shall offend any Weasleys. Four, she shall not offend Hermione. Five, she will not in any way shape, or form curse Harry for 'defeating the Dark Lord, the savior of Wizards as we know it'."

"I shall inform Walburga, Miss Nova," Binky said pleasantly. Nova grinned at the proper use of first-person pronouns. 

"Before you leave, Binks, can you summon some cheeseburgers?" Nova asked. 

"May Binky ask why?" Binky asked. 

"Snuffles hasn't eaten much, you can tell. Also, I really want some cheeseburgers," Nova stated. 

"Goodbye, Miss Nova," Binky called after summoning Nova's food. She left with a blink of an eye. 

"That's progress, I guess," Nova muttered before feeding Snuffles some cheeseburgers. 

If someone were to ask Sirius Black fifteen years ago if he would allow his daughter to play with his hair and feed cheeseburgers, he would've said 'no'. Partly because he didn't believe he could or want a daughter. 

But now...

Hell, he'd but on a damn bright pink tutu and run around London just to show his daughter he cared. He'd battle a dragon for her. He sure as hell would make any boy that broke her heart sorry. 

***

The moment Harry and Ron entered the room, people surrounded the youngest Potter. All were amazed by the Firebolt. It shocked everyone more when they saw he was carrying two. 

"Where'd you get them, Harry?" 

"Will you let me have a go?"

"Have you ridden them yet, Harry?" 

"Ravenclaw'll have no chance, they're all on CleansweepSevens!" 

"Can I just hold one of them, Harry?" 

For ten minutes which Harry's Firebolt was passed around as the students goggled at it. Many asked Harry why he hadn't allowed anyone to see the second broom, he simply said it wasn't his choice. He knew deep in his mind, he wouldn't let any one touch Nova's broom even if she gave permission. 

When the crowd finally dispersed, the two boys caught sight of there two friends. Hermione, as always, was too engrossed in her work to notice. Nova laid across a bench, tossing a red quaffle up in the air and catching with her right knee bent, poininting at the ceiling. She had her headphones on and appeared to be listening to music. If you paid attention to Nova's foot, as Harry had, one could see it had been tapping the beat to a particular song. Harry doesn't remember the bench she was laying upon ever being there, but it would appear to be there now. 

"I got it back," said Harry, grinning at her and holding up the Firebolt. 

"See, Hermione, Nova? There wasn't anything wrong with it!" saidRon. 

Nova, if she realized they were talking, didn't show any signs of it. Secretly, Nova drew part of her headphone back, allowing her to listen to the conversation. 

"Well — there might have been!" said Hermione. "I mean, at least you know now that it's safe!" 

"Yeah, I suppose so," said Harry. "I'd better put it upstairs —" 

"I'll take it!" said Ron eagerly. "I've got to give Scabbers his rat tonic." 

Nova wanted to laugh at how silly Ron looked carrying the broom as if it were made of glass. 

Her eyes drifted to the second broom, but she hid her amusement and excitement. 

"Can I sit down, then?" Harry asked Hermione. 

"I suppose so," said Hermione, moving a great stack of parchment off a chair. 

As Harry sat down, he caught sight of the many different assignments his bushy-haired friend was pouring over. There were class was sure Hermione wasn't able to attend. She was in all her class with him, Ron, and Nova. Most of her class, would be at the same time as her classes with three-fourths of the Quartet. 

Nova had a hunch how she was getting to all her classed. 

A time turner. 

Nova also had a hunch why Lupin always appeared to be tired and gaining new scars once a month. It was a hunch she had ever since people mentioned him being 'afraid of a crystal ball'.

He's a werewolf. 

Nova didn't think any less of the man. 

"How are you getting through all this stuff?" Harry asked her. 

"Oh, well — you know — working hard," said Hermione.Close-up, Harry saw that she looked almost as tired as Lupin. 

"Why don't you just drop a couple of subjects?" Harry asked,watching her lifting books as she searched for her rune dictionary. 

"I couldn't do that!" said Hermione, looking scandalized. Almost as if her suggested murder.  

"Arithmancy looks terrible," said Harry, picking up a very complicated-looking number chart. 

"Oh no, it's wonderful!" said Hermione earnestly. "It's my favorite subject!"

Harry's eye drifted towards Nova. His green eyes studied her relaxed body. She seemed more relaxed than she had in months. She seemed more content than she had since she returned from break. 

Nova noticed Harry's stare, but made movement or signal to anyone she had seen it. She didn't intend, however, for a small blush to make its way to her cheeks. She hoped no body noticed, but Harry did. 

Her eyes flickered towards her best friend. Despite being on the outs right now, if Harry needed her she would help. 

He needed help with homework. 

Nova would help. 

He needed help committing murder. 

Nova would help. No questions asked. 

He needed help hiding a dead body. 

Nova would help. No questions asked. 

Harry noticed her eyes upon him, catching his stare. Normally if Nova caught Harry starring at her, she would jokingly wink at the boy causing him to stutter. 

Instead, Nova went back to playing with her quaffle pretending not to listen to her friends. 

"Merlin's beard!" Hermione exclaimed, drawing Harry's attention. "Just talk to her already! I'm becoming annoyed with the two of you!"

Harry looked at her with pure confusion. 

"She already forgave you, Harry," Hermione stated. "She's waiting for your stubbornness to subside and for you to admit you were wrong."

Without another word, Hermione turned back to her work, shooing Harry away like an annoying fly. 

"Right-er-" Harry said. 

He moved himself and Nova's Firebolt to sit across from her. He gazed at her, mentally preparing what he was going to say. He ran a hand through his hair in anticipation. His knee bounced up and down nervously. 

Nova noticing this, took off her headphones, letting them hang around her neck. She waited for Harry to say something. But he didn't. 

"What is it you needed, Harry?" Nova asked, still playing with the quaffle. 

Harry internally groaned. Nova rarely called him 'Harry'. It was always 'Darlin' or 'Har'. Even though he said he hated being called 'Harold', he loved when she would jokingly call him that. 

But now, Harry was just 'Harry'.

"I need to apologize," Harry stated, finally getting over his nervous fit. 

"For what?" Nova asked, playing stupid. 

"You aren't going to make this easy for me, are you?" Harry asked. 

"I'll never make things easy. Instead, I make them interesting," Nova smirked. 

"I have to apologize for a couple things," Harry said. 

"Okay..." Nova said, finally setting the quaffle down. But Nova was Sirius Black's daughter and inherited his need to be dramatic and extra. Therefore instead of setting it down as one would, she threw it full force at an unsuspecting Oliver Wood. 

He fell off his chair sputtering swear words. 

"Defense needs improvement-" one of the Weasley twins yelled across the room. 

"-for the left hoop!" The other finished. 

"Gryffindor Quidditch captain fell off his broom after being hit by a quaffle thrown by 'The Gryffindor Beauty' Nova Black!" Lee Jordan yelled, pretending to be commententing on a Quidditch game. 

Everyone began to laugh at their theatrics. Nova turned back to Harry, her smile slowly slipping off her face. She sat up to talk to her friend properly. 

Harry's soft raven hair was splaid in all directs, as it normally. But somehow, Nova figured it was worse than it normally was. The emerald green eyes Nova loved starred into her honey ones. She took a deep breath through her button nose before speaking. She could small the cologne she gave Harry for Christams, and mentally smile. 

"Harry-" Nova began to say. 

"I'm sorry for being rude and ignoring Hermione after she told McGonagall about ours brooms," Harry began. "Especially when she was only looking out for me. She didn't deserve the treatment Ron and I were giving her."

Nova grinned. 

She missed spontaneously laughing for no reason after sharing a glance with Harry. She missed the piggy backs rides he'd give her. She missed running away as she stole another one of Harry's hoodies. She missed him playing with her hair as she read. She missed playing pranks with Harry. She missed passing notes in class. She missed throwing peas at each other during meals. 

She missed him. 

Don't get Nova wrong though, she loved Hermione. However, Nova thought if she studied anymore her brain just might explode.    

"Well, Darlin," Nova began with a smile but was cut off by the green eyed bespectled boy. 

"I'm not finished." Harry said. "I also want to apologize for what I said before you left Hogwarts for the holidays." 

Nova's smile faded. 

"I shouldn't have jump to conclusions and I should've let you finish," Harry stated. "I especially shouldn't have attempted to blame my dad's death on you nor accused you of sympathizing with your father."

Nova stood silent. She wasn't sure what to say. 

Naturally, Harry saw this as a sign to continue. 

"It was stupid of me. Your boggart is literally him killing us. You openly expressed your hate and stance with the man." Harry said. "I'm an absolute wanker."

"I agree," Nova finally piped up. 

"With what?" Harry asked. 

"I agree that you're a wanker," Nova replied with a cheeky grin as she reached up and ruffled Harry's hair. He swatted her hand away with a scowl. 

"We're good?" Harry asked hopefully.

"Yeah," Nova responded with a small smile. 

"Thank Merlin!" Harry explained. "I really didn't want to pay child support for Jerry the map."

Nova collapsed into laughter. 

"Why did you name it Jerry?" Harry asked. "More importantly, why'd you name the stalker map?" 

"It was the first name that came to mind. And..." Nova trailed off. "Why not name the map? It's like a code word. If we call it the Maruader's Map, people could know what we're talking about. Therefore, we call it Jerry."

Before Harry could respond, Ron came down the stairs yelling bloody murder. 

"LOOK!" he bellowed, striding over to Hermione's table."LOOK!" he yelled, shaking the sheets in her face. 

"This can't be good," Nova murmmered to Harry as the two approached their friends. 

"Ron, what — ?" 

"SCABBERS! LOOK! SCABBERS!" 

Hermione was leaning away from Ron, looking utterly bewildered. Nova looked down at the sheet Ron was holding. There wassomething red on it. Something that looked horribly like — 

"BLOOD!" Ron yelled into the stunned silence. 

"Oh, Ron!" Nova exclaimed, trying to make a joke. "Normally when you have your period, you don't go about flashing your bloody sheets everywhere."

Some students laughed, others were too shocked to even register what Nova meant. 

"Shut it, Nova!" Ron hissed before yelled. "HE'S GONE!AND YOU KNOW WHAT WAS ON THE FLOOR?" 

"N — no," said Hermione in a trembling voice.Ron threw something down onto Hermione's rune translation.Hermione and Nova leaned forward. Lying on top of the weird,spiky shapes were several long, ginger cat hairs. 

Author's Note:

'Ello! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. 

I'm going to go back and edit some of my chapters for grammar purposes seeing as the spacebar on my laptop has been fixed. 

Also, I would like to thank everyone again for reading.