The rest of the summer was rather boring for most. Harry was cleared of all charges. Ron and Hermione are the new Gryffindor prefects. Mrs.Weasley had a run-in with a nasty boggart. Boring summer. Mainly because the kids were forced to clean instead of attending Order Meetings as they wanted. 

Nova didn't have those problems. She attended Order Meetings, which remained a secret to her friends, and she didn't have to clean every day. She trained with Mad-Eye for half the week. 

When she did clean with the others, it was always a blast. Nova would bring her boom box down, and they'd play music, dancing to the music as they cleaned. Kreacher and Binky even helped, much to Hermione's dismay. 

When the kids weren't cleaning, they completed their school work. When they were busy in any way shape or form, they were entertained by the loving chaos of the Lupin-Black family. The Lupin-Blacks made the Weasleys look like amateurs. 

"DA!" Nova yelled from up the stairs. "HAVE YOU SEEN MY EYELINER?"

"NO!" Sirius called from the first-floor bathroom with it in hand. 

In heaven, Lily, Dorcus, and Marlene were all complaining about Sirius running off with their stuff. Their mascara. Their eyeshadow. Their eyeliner. Sirius even stole Lily's skirt once. 

"YOU FUCKING LIAR!" Nova yelled standing in the doorway causing Sirius to jump three feet in the air. 

Everyone else at the kitchen table turned to Remus as he peacefully ate his Cocoa Puffs. Nova bought him the cereal while she was in the store. Remus has been obsessed ever since. 

A high pitched scream came from the bathroom. 

The residence of Grimmauld Place became worried. Next to Harry, Remus continued to munch on his Cocoa Puffs. 

"LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!" Sirius yelled pointing to his messed-up eyeliner and the black line that ran down his face. 

Nova and Sirius ran out of the bathroom. Nova running for her life. 

"Remus-" Molly tried but was interrupted. 

"I JUST WANTED MY EYELINER BACK!"

"NO! MAKEUP MEANS BOYS! NO BOYS!" Sirius yelled still chasing Nova. "BOYS MEAN BABIES AND I'M TOO HOT TO BE A GRANDFATHER!"

"DA!" Nova shouted. 

"Remus, maybe you should do something . . ." Molly suggested. 

Suddenly Sirius stopped running. He turned to Nova with an evil grin on his face. 

"I'm gonna tickle you!" 

"You. Wouldn't. Dare." Nova hissed. 

Sirius lunged forward causing Nova to run. 

"PA! HELP ME!" Nova yelled. 

"RUN, NOVA! RUN!" Fred and George cheered. 

"Remus!" Molly said sharply. 

Remus continued to eat his Cocoa Puffs. 

Nova ran into the dining room with Sirius on her heels. Somehow, the two managed to find wooden swords. The threat of Sirius tickling Nova and the eyeliner argument long forgotten. 

Fred, George, and Ginny were cheering Nova on. Hermione was shaking her head in disappointment. Ron was too invested in reading his magazine while he ate to notice. Harry, despite this being normal behavior, was too shocked to do anything. 

Both Sirius and Nova were grinning wickedly as they fought each other expertly. Where they got the skills and ability to fight with swords . . . Merlin only knew. 

Nova jumped onto the table. Sirius swung his sword, trying to knock Nova to her feet. She jumped up, avoiding the sword. Both Sirius and Nova were now on the table. 

As they neared the others, Remus moved his cereal out of the way to continue eating. He was completely unphased by the actions of his husband and daughter. 

"Only in the Lupin-Black house," James chuckled. He turned to Regulus. "Imagine if your mother could see this."

"She'd be rolling in her grave." Regulus grinned. "She really needs to see this. She'll have a right old fit. The best part, the old hag can't do anything about it."

"You're going to the Giant Squid," Sirius taunted as he and Nova continued fighting. 

"I haven't visited Jarold in awhile," Nova said thoughtfully. "I should visit him again."

"Jarold?" Sirius paused with a confused look on his face. 

Nova dropped to her into a crouch and quickly swung her foot out, causing Sirius to hit the table with a thud. Sirius groaned in pain. 

"Come on, old man," Nova said cheerfully. "I'll fix the mess on your face."

"I'm not old!" Sirius huffed.

"Sit," she ordered pointing to a chair. With the wave of her hand, Nova's makeup bag came to her hand. 

Remus, who had gotten up was pouring himself more Cocoa Puffs, had been robbed. When he turned to grab a spoon after he dropped his other one, Nova snatched the bowl of Cocoa Puffs and milk. Remus, shocked, stopped with the spoon in his hand. 

"Thanks, Pa! You're the best!" Nova kissed him on the cheek as she grabbed the spoon. 

Remus shrugged and got more cereal. 

***

An hour later, the group was ready to leave. Mrs.Weasley was screaming. Mrs.Black was screaming. Fred and George almost killed their sister with their suitcases. Hermione was making sure she had everything for the seventh time. Ron was . . . Nova didn't know where he was, but it was most likely the kitchen. Harry had just come downstairs. 

"SCUM! HALF BREEDS! BLOOD-TRAITORS!" Walburga continued to yell. Nova's calm attempts at silence her were not effective. 

"SHUT UP, BITCH!" Nova yelled over everything. Walburga turned to her. "THAT'S RIGHT! I CAN YELL TOO! SHUT THE BLOODY FUCK UP YOU DEADASS PORTRAIT OR IMMA TAKE GASOLINE AND BURN YOUR ARSE!" 

"YOU DARE SPEAK TO ME LIKE-" Walburga began. 

"YES! YOU'RE DEAD! MOVE ON!" Nova screamed angrily. "NOBODY FUCKING LIKES YOU!"

Walburga didn't say a word. 

Molly Weasley, who was immensely tired, gave up on telling Sirius he couldn't see his daughter and godson off. 

The large bear-sized black dog dashed out the front door happily after Molly opened it. 

"Oi!" Nova called towards Snuffles. "Snuffles! Get over here!"

Snuffles sat in front of her as she pulled out a leash. 

"We gotta blend in, Da," She whispered to the dog as she stroke his head. "So be a good boy."

Snuffles trotted happily enjoying the fresh air. Occasionally, he would jerk forward to chase a cat or pigeon. Nova would "accidentally" let go of the leash. 

"Nova Lily," Remus warned. 

"What?" Nova asked innocently. 

"You know what." He said raising an eyebrow as he walked next to Nova. 

"I can't help that I'm just a weak little girl with a terrible grip compared to the big dog," Nova innocently batted her eyelashes.

"You play chaser." Hermione laughed next to her. 

"Nova!" Molly hissed. "Keep a tighter hold on your father!"

"Alright!" Nova responded rather cheerfully as she grabbed Remus's arm. 

"The other one!" Remus laughed. 

Much to Molly's dismay, Nova ran forward down the street with Snuffles beside her. His tongue flapped in the wind. Her golden caramel hair flew behind her like a banner. Her black converses bounded upon the pavement as she ran. A laugh escaped her lips as she ran. 

To any muggle, they would see normal teenage girl running beside her dog. 

To any wizard, they'd see Nova Lupin-Black. They'd see the daughter of the mass murderer. Some would see her as a lier, a scarlet witch. To others, she's be seen as an inspiration, and someone to believe because no one would lie about something so severe. 

On the platform, many were send Nova and Harry sideways glances. 

Moody was grumbling about reporting Sturgis to Dumbledore, saying he is unreliable. 

"Goodbye, Dora," Nova grinned, but it was sad. "I'll see you again. Try to keep my dads out of trouble."

"Already planned on it," the bubblegum pink haired witch replied with a grin. "Owl me if you need anything!"

Nova nodded, giving her a hug. 

"Wassup, Pops!" Nova tried to rest her arm on his shoulder, but she might as well be holding her hand up to answer a question in class with his height. 

"Isn't that what you call my dad?" Remus asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"Yeah, but I thought I'd switch it up a bit." Nova shrugged. "Never doing it again. Just sounds foreign."

"Isn't that what you said when told to address Minerva properly. You claimed you could only call her 'Minnie' because 'Professor McGonagall' sounded too weird?" Remus asked. 

"Yeah," Nova grinned, but it faded. "I'm gonna miss you, Pa."

"Moonfoot," He said with a faint smile. "You'll be fine. Besides, you know who to use the box."

"Please don't die." Nova pleaded. "Same with Da. Don't push yourself if it's unnecessary."

"I'll be careful, lion," He smiled before pulling her into a hug. "Padfoot would like me to remind you that boys have cooties and are not to be trusted. He also said to steer clear of girls too. He is too hot to be a grandfather." 

Nova rolled her eyes as she waved to her dads before grabbing Harry's hand as dragging him to the train. 

The very last compartment on the train. Nova met up with Neville. Together, he, Ginny, Harry, and Nova joined a girl named Luna. 

She's rather small, and quiet with a dreamy voice. She has sharp blue eyes and bleach blonde hair that reached her waist and pale skin. 

"Hey, Luna," Ginny greeted. "Is it alright if we join you?"

Nova noted she was reading a magazine upside down. 

"Thanks," Ginny smiled. 

She opted to sitting next to Luna and Neville on the other side of Ginny. Nova, as per usual, laid across the seats with her head in Harry's lap as he played with her hair. 

"Had a good summer, Luna?" Ginny asked. 

"Yes," Luna said dreamily. Her eyes were still on Harry and Nova as she finished speaking. "And you're Harry Potter and Nova Lupin-Black."

"The ones and only," Nova grinned as she looked away from her book. 

"I'm sorry I don't know you," She said turning to Neville. 

"Neville Longbottom," he answered nervously. 

"Oh! Ginny told me about you." Luna said in a dreamy voice. "She told me about all of you really."

This is when it made sense to Nova. This is Luna Lovegood. This is the girl Ginny has taken a liking to. 

Nova looked at Luna. 

"She's talks about you too," Nova grinned, noticing Ginny turning red. "Your dad publishes the Quibbler, right?"

Luna nodded. 

"That's really cool. It's just about the only thing I can read nowadays without hearing about people hating me. 's been that way for a few years now." Nova shrugged. "Do Butterbear cork necklaces actually keep the Nargles away?"

"It's a running theory, but there isn't any evidence to show it doesn't," Luna answered in her usual dreamy voice with a faint smile. 

"Does it have to be a necklace or could it be around your wrist, or on your shoelaces . . .?" Nova asked trailing off. 

Ginny let out a sigh of relief as she noticed Nova didn't hate Luna. 

"I'm not sure," Luna answered. "I find it more convenient to were a necklace."

"There's nothing wrong with necklaces," Nova stated, winking at Ginny as she noticed her linger stare on the blonde. "I have one I refuse to take off." Nova pulled her locket out from where it rest, hidden by the neck of her shirt. "I've had it since I was thirteen."

Harry grinned cheekily at the news, remembering he gave it to her. Of course, Ron and Hermione also gifted it to her, but that didn't matter to him.

"It's beautiful," Luna complimented. 

"What's it say on the back?" Ginny asked. 

"'I'm a warrior empress with the strength of a fire gone wild. I'll walk along the path forged by my own will and desire.'" Harry quoted. Everyone turned to him. "What? I helped pick it out."

Ginny shared a look with Neville and smirked. 

"You two make an adorable couple," Luna said dreamily. 

In heaven, Marlene was laughing. 

"Y'all have been exposed!" Marlene yelled. 

"I'm watching you, Potter," Regulus growled, pointing at his eyes then at Harry. 

"We-I-er-knsd;ifa'dv" Harry stammered. 

"We aren't dating," Nova said calmly. 

"Could've fooled me," Luna shrugged. 

Harry looked at Luna quizzically. 

"Harry dear, I love you but . . .IF YOU DON'T GROW A BRAIN CELL I'M GOING TO LAUNCH A CHAIR AT YOU!" Lily yelled causing Marlene, Dorcus, James, and Regulus to fall into laughter. 

***

When the train ride was over, Ginny, Luna, Neville, and the Golden Quartet began to head towards the horseless coaches. 

But they weren't horseless anymore. 

There were creatures standing between the carriage shafts; if he had had to give them a name, he supposed he would have called them horses, though there was something reptilian about them, too. They were completely fleshless, their black coats clinging to their skeletons, of which every bone was visible. Their heads were dragonish, and their pupil-less eyes white and starring. Wings sprouted from each wither — vast, black leathery wings that looked as though they ought to belong to giant bats. Standing still and quiet in the gloom, the creatures looked eerie and sinister.

"Where's Pig?" said Ron's voice, right behind Harry. 

"That Luna girl was carrying him," said Harry, turning quickly, eager to consult Ron about Hagrid. "Where d'you reckon —" 

"— Hagrid is? I dunno," said Ron, sounding worried. "He'd better be okay. . . ." 

Nova knew where he was. He's in the mountains working with giants, hoping for them to side with the Order, not the Death Eaters. However, she couldn't say anything. 

A short distance away, Draco Malfoy, followed by a small gang of cronies including Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson, was pushing some timid-looking second years out of the way so that they could get a coach to themselves. 

Seconds later Hermione emerged panting from the crowd, standing beside Nova. 

"Malfoy was being absolutely foul to a first year back there, I swear I'm going to report him, he's only had his badge three minutes and he's using it to bully people worse than ever. . . . Where's Crookshanks?" 

"Ginny's got him," said Harry. 

"There she is. . . ." Nova said as Ginny emerged from the crowd with a very grumpy and squirming Crookshanks in her arms. 

"Thanks," said Hermione, relieving Ginny of the cat. "Come on, let's get a carriage together before they all fill up. . . ." 

"I haven't got Pig yet!" Ron said, but Hermione was already heading off toward the nearest unoccupied coach. Harry remained behind with Ron. 

"What are those things, d'you reckon?" he asked Ron, nodding at the horrible horses as the other students surged past them. 

"What things?" 

"Those horse —" 

Luna appeared holding Pigwidgeon's cage in her arms; the tiny owl was twittering excitedly as usual. "Here you are," she said. "He's a sweet little owl, isn't he?" 

"Er . . . yeah . . . He's all right," said Ron gruffly. "Well, come on then, let's get in. . . . what were you saying, Harry?" 

"I was saying, what are those horse things?" Harry said as he, Ron, and Luna made for the carriage in which Hermione and Ginny were already sitting with Nova. 

"What horse things?" 

"The horse things pulling the carriages!" said Harry impatiently; they were, after all, about three feet from the nearest one; it was watching them with empty white eyes. Ron, however, gave Harry a perplexed look. 

"What are you talking about?" 

"I'm talking about — look!"Harry grabbed Ron's arm and wheeled him about so that he was face-to-face with the winged horse. Ron stared straight at it for a second, then looked back at Harry. 

"What am I supposed to be looking at?" 

"At the — there, between the shafts! Harnessed to the coach! Its right there in front —" 

"Can't . . . can't you see them?" 

"See what?" 

"Can't you see what's pulling the carriages?" 

Ron looked seriously alarmed now. 

Ron and Harry climbed into the carriage. 

"It's all right," said a dreamy voice from beside Harry as Ron vanished into the coach's dark interior. "You're not going mad or anything. I can see them too." 

"Can you?" said Harry desperately, turning to Luna. He could see the bat-winged horses reflected in her wide, silvery eyes. 

"Oh yes," said Luna, "I've been able to see them ever since my first day here. They've always pulled the carriages. Don't worry. You're just as sane as I am."

"Darlin, were you bothering the thestrals?" Nova teased. 

"Thestrals?" Hermione asked. "Those are extremely dangerous!"

"No they aren't," Luna added. 

"They just get a bad rep." Nova shrugged. 

"How come only Luna and I can see them?" Harry asked. 

"I can see them too, so can Neville. They can only be seen by those who have seen someone die and understood what it meant." Nova shrugged. 

"Who died?" Ron asked nervously. 

Over the summer, Nova has become more open about her past. However, they didn't know all of it. They all knew snippets. She's brought it up here and there, but it was never consistent. 

"A muggle friend of mine in a village near the Manor," Nova answered. "Car accident. He was thrown from the vehicle."

"Why is she so casual about it?" Dorcus asked. 

"I love how all members of the Black family are casual about things like this but when it comes to their hair, it's the end of the world," James stated. 

"Hey! We can't help our hair just outranks all of the mops you peasants have!" Regulus said with a huff. 

"Black hair is superior," Marlene nodded. "But so is mine."

***

Nova zoned out on the Sorting Hat's song. The moment Harry said Umbridge was at his hearing, she focused on the obnoxious pink toad. 

The toad was the reason why her Pa had such a hard time keeping a job in the Wizarding World. She hated half breeds. She made prejudice laws against them that made little to no sense. 

Nova hated the woman. 

Little did she know, she would grow to hate this woman more than anything. More than Dumbledore. More than Snape. More than Voldemort. 

Timmy, who sat next to Nova, was still rather small despite being in his third year. He told all about a book he had read. As much as she hated to admit it, she was only half-listening as she ate her food. 

"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I bega few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," said Dumbledore. "First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students — and a few of our older students ought to know by now too."

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Nova exchanged smirks. That statement was directed at them, not that they listened anyway. 

"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door. 

"We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." 

There was polite applause, but it lacked enthusiasm. 

Nova yawned. 

Dumbledore continued, "Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place on the —"

 He broke off, looking inquiringly at Professor Umbridge. As she was not much taller standing than sitting, there was a moment when nobody understood why Dumbledore had stopped talking, but the Professor Umbridge said, "Hem, hem," and it became clear that she had got to her feet and was intending to make a speech. 

"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome." 

Her voice is high pitched, almost as if she were trying to break glass with the mere sound of her voice. It was breathy and sounded very much like a young girl. 

"My ears!" Nova hissed. "They need to be cleansed!"

Many around her sniggered. 

Most may not like her now, but they couldn't deny the girl is hilarious.  

"Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!" She smiled, revealing very pointed teeth. "And to see such happy little faces looking back at me!" 

Harry looked around the room. No one was pleased to see her. Many were confused, and some even angry. However, they had nothing on the look Nova was giving her. 

The girl was oddly quiet. She glared daggers at the pink whoopie cushion. She looked to be deciding between punching the woman, flipping her off, insulting her, launching her arse, of murdering her. All, however, were possibilities. 

"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!" 

"I'll be her friend as long as I don't have to borrow that cardigan," Parvati whispered to Lavender, and both of them lapsed into silent giggles. 

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the Wizarding community must be passed down through the generations lest we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished, and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching." 

The students weren't talking nor were there any noise when the pink toad cleared her throat again. 

"Do you need a cough drop?" Nova yelled with mock concern. "Or some cough syrup?"

This led much of the hall into laughter. Even McGonagall was struggling to her smile hidden. 

The new professor ignored Nova's comment. 

"Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progress's sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation . . ."

Hermione was absorbing every word. Nova looked like she'd rather be somewhere else. 

". . . because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as errors of judgment. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited."

"The only thing that needs perfecting is her fashion sense," Nova huffed. Harry suppressed a laugh. 

"Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating," Dumbledore said, bowing to her. "Now — as I was saying, Quidditch tryouts will be held . . ." 

"Yes, it certainly was illuminating," said Hermione in a low voice. 

"You're not telling me you enjoyed it?" Ron said quietly, turning a glazed face upon Hermione. "That was about the dullest speech I've ever heard, and I grew up with Percy." 

"I said illuminating, not enjoyable," said Hermione. "It explained a lot."

 "Did it?" said Harry in surprise. "Sounded like a load of waffle to me."

"There was some important stuff hidden in the waffle," said Hermione grimly.

"Was there?" said Ron blankly."How about 'progress for progress's sake must be discouraged'? How about 'pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited'?" 

"Well, what does that mean?" said Ron impatiently. 

"I'll tell you what it means," said Nova ominously. "It means the Ministry's interfering at Hogwarts. It means the Minister and his fucking hat aren't too happy with Dumbledore claiming Voldemort is back. Meaning they send in that hag to monitor everything."

"Why do you hate Umbridge so much?" Ron asked. He wasn't judging, but he was mildly curious. 

"Over the summer, I have been working to reform laws against werewolves. That bitch created half of them, making werewolf lives, like my Pa's, living hell." Nova hissed. "Besides, you'll see just how bad she is."