✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Harry's P.O.V. 

Harry knew they did it for the best, but he was still rather annoyed with Hermione and Y/N. He had been the proud owner of the best broom in the world for a few hours. 

Well, he knew Y/N wouldn't have said anything to McGonagall. Hermione must've initiated and Y/N...she saw sense. 

It hurt a little. When McGonagall took his broom away, Harry felt guilty for giving her an angry look. Her face showed the hurt that she wouldn't express aloud.

The girls expressed it in a different way, though. Hermione and Y/N were absent, probably at the library or something. Harry wanted to find them, but Ron always refused. 

Harry's anger calmed down after a few days when Y/N came to him in between class, hugged him, said sorry, then dashed off without another word. 

Ron, on the other hand, was furious. As far as he was concerned, stripping down a brand new Firebolt was nothing less than a criminal offense. 

Winter break ended and he and Ron were walking to class when Oliver Wood caught Harry by the arm. 

"Hey, had a good Christmas?" Wood asked. Without waiting for a response from Harry, he continued, "I've been doing some thinking...and we can't afford an...accident if the Dementors come back..." 

"I'm working on it," Harry said quickly. "Y/N's uncle is training me this week." 

Wood looked extremely relieved. "In that case, have you got a new broom?" he asked hopefully.

Harry answered, "No," feeling bad at the deflated look on Oliver's face.

"Better start looking - the old school Shooting Star is no good," the captain said. 

Ron intervened, "Harry got a Firebolt for Christmas!" he said proudly. 

Oliver Wood's jaw practically dropped to the floor. "A Firebolt? A - I don't believe it! A real Firebolt?" he exclaimed. 

"Keep your voice down!" Harry shushed, putting a finger to his lips. "And don't get excited - I haven't got it any more. McGonagall confiscated it." 

"Said it had to be stripped down," Ron said bitterly, readjusting his bookbag. 

Somehow, Oliver's jaw dropped lower and Harry continued, "She said it had to be checked for jinxes." 

"Don't worry - I'll talk to her about it!" Wood exclaimed, practically beaming. He walked off, muttering, "A Firebolt..." 

They continued to class, but Harry would rather be stuck in the Slytherin common room for five hours than go outside for Care of Magical Creatures in the cold.

"I don't want to..." Ron groaned, pulling a hat onto his head. "Hagrid's going to make us feed some godforsaken animal and my fingers are going to freeze off!" he complained.

Luckily, they did absolutely nothing all lesson. Hagrid provided them bonfires with flame-loving salamanders. The warmth was extremely rewarding and Harry teased Ron for complaining earlier. 

"Are these the godforsaken animals you were talking about, Ron?" said Harry jokingly, observing a salamander that had crawled onto his arm.  

Y/N, obviously, befriended four of them. 

"This one is Jolly," Y/N said, gently petting it's head. 

When Harry cocked his head sideways, she continued, "Look at her little smile! She's so jolly." 

"You're so creative, Trouble," Hermione said sarcastically. 

Y/N huffed, her breath showing in the cold winter air. "If it makes you feel better, I named this one Herms," she said sadly.

Harry watched Hermione immediately soften and hug her best friend. 

"I think this one should be named Harry," Harry told her, pointing to a small salamander with a crooked tail.

"Yeah, 'cause it's deformed," Ron said, causing Y/N and Hermione to laugh. 

"Shut up, Weasley. This one is named Stupid because it's orange like you," Y/N retorted.

Ron looked jokingly offended and said, "That was such a terrible insult, Sterling. You've done so much better." 

Harry and Hermione snickered again. Harry caught Ron looking at Hermione for too long and nudged him, laughing. A salamander jumped into the open flame, sending sparks at Hermione's nose. 

"Are you feeling the sparks of love, Herms?" Y/N asked grinning.

The quartet laughed again, then the topic of the conversation changed. 

Then, they all realized that they weren't speaking to each other and shut up. 

After that, Professor Trelawney basically tortured Harry all of class, saying that he had the shortest life-lines she had ever seen. 

At one point, Y/N grabbed his hands and said in a very serious voice; "She's right, Potter. You're dying tomorrow."  

"That's comforting." 

"I'll be the one to kill you," she added. 

"Wouldn't have it any other way-" 

"Harry! We're mad. Stop talking to her!" Ron said. 

"Fine." 

✦

After Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Harry hung back to fix a time for his training. A time was set for eight o'clock on Thursday evening, then Harry left the classroom and immediately bumped into Y/N. 

"Hi, Scarhead!" she grinned. 

"What're you doing here?" 

"Waiting for you," Y/N replied as though it was obvious. Then, she started walking and Harry's legs moved on their own, following her. 

When he caught up, she continued, "I'm sick of not talking to you and Ronnie - but he doesn't want to talk to me and Herms." She gave a shrug, "So I'll talk to you when he isn't around." 

"What about Hermione?" he asked, confused as to why Y/N wasn't with her best friend. 

"Studying," the h/c groaned. "I got so bored. She was studying for Dad's class - I don't need the help anyway." 

"Fair," Harry replied as they turned the corner of the hallway. If he hung out with Y/N when Ron wasn't around, Ron couldn't pull the big brother card...

No, Harry. She's your friend. 

But that hasn't stopped him you before...

"I got classes with your uncle," he told her. 

She looked confused. "Potter...have you hit your head? We all have classes with Dad." 

"No, you dumbarse," he said, nudging her. She whacked him on the head gently with a quill and he laughed. "I'm having Dementor Defense lessons." 

Y/N scoffed, stepping in front of him, putting her hands in her pockets and walking backwards. "I could've given those to you," she said cheekily. "Remus isn't all that!" 

Harry smirked, "Oh, Hello, Professor Lupin!" he sent a wave to non-existent person behind Y/N. 

"Wait - Dad, you didn't hear that, right-?" she said desperately, turning around. 

Harry burst out laughing, she could be so naïve sometimes - it was hilarious. 

After seeing nothing behind her, Y/N whipped back around to Harry with a pout and scolding him, "You prat!" 

He just kept laughing all the way to Gryffindor tower. 

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

At ten to eight on Thursday, Harry proceeded to the History of Magic classroom, which, Lupin had said, was large enough to accommodate their lessons. Y/N being Y/N, decided to tag along, always willing to annoy her uncle. 

When they arrived, Lupin wasn't there yet, so Y/N lit the lamps with her wand and sat down on a desk. 

The door clicked open and Y/N said, "Hi, Dad!" enthusiastically. 

Professor Lupin stopped in the doorway. "Why are you here?" he asked playfully. 

Y/N crossed her arms, "I wanted to be," she retorted, hopping off the desk.

Lupin shrugged and walked across the classroom, gave her a hug, then greeted Harry with a simple, "Hello, Harry," along with a smile.

He heaved the large case he was holding onto Professor Binn's desk. "What's that?" Harry asked. Were there textbooks in here, or stones? 

"A boggart," Y/N replied. Lupin chucked an inkpot at her head, but she just caught it and smirked at Harry. 

It gave him butterflies, to say the least. 

"You know that never works, Dad," she teased, nudging Harry. 

"'You know that never works, Dad'," Lupin mocked. 

Harry and Y/N laughed, then Professor Lupin continued, "This boggart will turn into a Dementor when it sees you. Much safer than an actual Dementor," he explained. 

"Okay..." Harry said, hoping he didn't sound apprehensive - merely glad that Lupin found a good enough substitute for a Dementor. 

"So, what I am going to teach you today, Harry...Y/N," Lupin said, rolling his eyes at the last word and indicating that they should take out their wands. 

"A very powerful and highly advanced charm, well beyond Ordinary Wizarding Level. It is called the Patronus Charm." 

"You've never let me try it!" Y/N said, offense laced in her voice. 

"That's because you've never asked," Lupin responded, grinning.

Harry was still confused. "Er...what's a Patronus?" he asked. 

"It's a kind of guardian, something that stands in between you and the Dementer, warding it off," said Lupin. 

Harry had a sudden vision of himself crouching behind a Hagrid-sized figure holding a club.

His Professor continued, "The Patronus is a positive force, the very thing Dementors feed upon - hope, happiness, desire to live - but the Dementors have no effect, as the Patronus cannot feel despair," he explained, then his face turned grave. "But I must warn you, Harry, Y/N, that the charm may be too advanced for you. Many qualified witches and wizards have trouble with it." 

"But, as Harry Potter, you can do basically anything," Y/N suppled in reassurance after seeing the look of worry on Harry's face. 

He sent her a thankful look, then asked, "What does a Patronus look like?" 

"Each one is unique to the witch or wizard that conjures it. It always reflects yourself, your life and your experiences," answered Lupin. 

"And how do you conjure it?" Harry asked, curious. 

"With an incantation which will only work if you are completely concentrated on your happiest memory."

Harry watched Y/N close her eyes, probably thinking about her memory. He cast about his brain, searching for something happy. In the end, he decided that his happiest memory was his first time riding a broom. 

Maybe that was a lie - but he replayed the fleeting feeling of soaring through the air for the first time. "Right..." he said. 

"The incantation is this-" Lupin cleared his throat. 

Then, Y/N joined and they said, "Expecto Patronum!" together. 

"Expecto Patronum," Harry said under his breath. Y/N did the same. "Expecto Patronum..." he repeated. 

"Concentrating on your memories?" Lupin asked them. 

Y/N nodded with a smile and glittering eyes. Harry tore his gaze away from her and hastily said, "Oh - er, yea." He forced his thoughts back to his first broom ride. 

"Expecta Patrono - no, wait - Patronum...Expecto Patronum, Expecto Patronum!" he said. A small wisp of silvery gas came from his wand as he looked in awe. 

"Wonderful, Harry. Your turn, kid," Lupin said, gesturing to Y/N. 

She grinned and raised her wand, obviously having a memory ready. "Expecto Patronum!" she recited confidently. A silver whoosh, slightly larger than Harry's and almost distinct, burst from her wand. 

They all looked surprised at that. Y/N studied her wand as though she had never seen it before. 

"Good job, kid! What memory did you use for it to be so strong?" Professor Lupin asked. 

Y/N turned a little red, "Personal, dad," she mumbled and Lupin backed off. 

"Alright, ready to try it with a Dementor?" said Lupin. 

Both Harry and Y/N rolled up their sleeves and nodded, gripping their wands tightly. They moved to the middle of the deserted classroom while Lupin strode towards the briefcase. It was Harry's turn, first.

Any minute now, the Dementor would burst forth...and Harry might hear his mother again. Not that he wanted to endure that again...or did he? 

Lupin grasped the lid of the case and pulled. 

A Dementor, draped in darkness, rose from the box, one scabbed hand gripping its cloak. It glided towards his slowly as the lamps in the room went out. It drew a deep, rattling breath and Harry felt a wave of piercing cold wash over him. 

"Expecto Patronum!" yelled Harry. "Expecto Patronum! Expecto Patro-" 

But Y/N, Lupin, the Dementor and the classroom were dissolving. Harry was, again, falling through thick white fog, his mother's death playing in his ears once more. 

"Not Harry! Please, not Harry! I'll do anything!" 

"Stand aside, you silly girl. I said stand aside." 

"HARRY!" 

Harry jerked back to consciousness. He was lying flat on his back, Y/N and Lupin crouched around him. The classroom lights were alight again. He didn't need to be told what happened. 

"Sorry," he muttered, feeling sweat trickle down his neck. 

Y/N grabbed his hand, ignoring how sweaty it was. "Are you okay?" she said worriedly. 

"Yes..." Harry answered. He heaved himself up with Y/N's help and leant against a desk. 

"Here - eat this before we try again. It's Y/N's turn now," Lupin said, handing Harry a chocolate frog. 

Harry stared at the chocolate before taking it. "It's getting worse," he said. "I heard her louder this time - and Voldemort-"

Lupin looked paler than usual and Y/N squeezed his hand. They didn't say anything, but everyone was silent for a moment. 

"Let Y/N have a go while you rest, Harry," Lupin said. Harry nodded, watching Y/N walk to the middle of the room.  

"But - dad, my Boggart...isn't a Dementor," Y/N said uncertainly. 

Her uncle gestured toward Harry. "As long as Harry is in it's view, it'll turn into a Dementor. It is easier than materializing..." he trailed off a moment, not knowing how to talk about Y/N's boggart - her parents. "Into multiple forms," he finished decisively. 

"Right..." Y/N said, absently mimicking Harry from before. He gave her an encouraging grin and a thumbs up. 

Harry watched as Lupin slowly lifted the lid, Y/N's jaw set in determination. She looked pretty. 

Pretty... determined - that's it. 

The Dementor came out once more and drifted towards Y//N, it's black robes dragging on the floor. She raised her wand and shouted, "Expecto Patronum!" 

Again, a silvery-blue figure, indistinct but larger than Harry's, erupted from her wand. It floated towards the Dementor lazily,  slightly pushing it back. It looked like a cat of some sort. 

Harry was proud of her for it - how quickly she grasped the concept. Being Remus Lupin's niece-daughter must help, though. 

"Yes, Y/N!" Lupin cheered. When she looked at him for help, he conjured his own Patronus and pushed the Dementor-Boggart back into the briefcase. 

Not getting a glimpse of Lupin's Patronus in the haze, Harry just accepted that it wasn't going to be easy. 

"Thanks, dad," she said gratefully, walking back to where Harry was now sitting on the desk. "Your turn, Potter." 

Her uncle interrupted, "I think we should give Harry another minute-" 

"No, I want to go again," said Harry firmly. "I've got too! I've got to get this before the Quidditch match." 

"The match doesn't matter as much as your health, you dimwit," Y/N said softly. 

Harry was flabbergasted. 'Quidditch,' and 'Doesn't matter,' did not go together. 

"The match doesn't matter?" he asked incredulously. "If we lose this match against Ravenclaw, we basically lose the cup!" 

Y/N tried to protest again, but Lupin said, "Alright..." slowly. "Find a different memory - a happier one." 

Harry hauled himself in front of the briefcase, wracking his brains. The time Gryffindor won the House Cup...that should do it. Lupin opened the lid. 

Again, the shiver down his spine, the air sucked out of the room. The lights went out with a weak flash. 

"Expecto - Expecto Patronum, Expecto Patronum-" 

Fog...dizziness...the disorienting sensation of falling from a height.

A new voice. A mans voice. A panicked voice. 

"Lily - take Harry and run! It's Him - go! I'll hold him off!" 

There was a crack, a thud - and someone's loud, shrill cackling laughter

He woke again, being shook, loud shouts of "Harry!" in his ear. 

"I heard my dad this time," Harry said, sitting up suddenly and causing the other two to gasp. Y/N pushed him back down. "Telling my mum to run for it...when..." Harry trailed off.

"You heard James?" Lupin asked. There was a strange tone in his voice that Harry couldn't place. 

"Er, yeah. Did you know him?" said Harry. Why was Lupin acting weird?

Lupin averted his gaze. "As a matter of fact...I...I did," he said slowly. Then, he shook himself and continued, "Now, Harry, I think it's best that we stop for now." 

"No! I want to-" 

Y/N finally intervened. "No, Harry," she said firmly. "You can't keep going right now, you're going to overexert yourself." She put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him from getting up. 

"But-" 

"No buts," she said with finality. 

Seeing her this protective warmed Harry's insides, but he knew she meant it in the friendly way. She'd been like this since first year. 

Under her fiery gaze, he caved, "Fine." 

"Well!" said Professor Lupin, clapping his hands. "You two have done wonderfully today." He shoved some chocolates into their hands. They ate. "Same time, same place, next week?" Lupin asked. 

"Sooner?" Harry pleaded. He couldn't wait that long. 

Lupin looked to Y/N, who shrugged, "I don't mind, I'm kind of...everywhere!" she said with a grin. 

"Alright, so...what about Monday?" Professor Lupin said. "Eight?" 

"Sure!" Harry agreed. He could do that. It was only a few days wait. 

"Wait - noooo," Y/N whined. "I'm hanging out with Dean," she said. 

Harry rolled his eyes, "Come on, you can miss it." 

She crossed her arms childishly. "No. You can miss this." 

"Eight on Monday is great," Harry said to Lupin while Y/N huffed. What was her problem?

"Right...er...I'm going to...leave now. Good evening, Harry. Bye, kid," Lupin said awkwardly. He shoved his wand into his robe pocket and left. 

"I suppose I'm allowed to get up now?" Harry asked in an irritated tone. He, of course, immediately regretted this when he was met with a glare. 

Y/N hopped up onto her pre-lesson post: the desk. She sat down. "I suppose you are," said Y/N coolly.  

"'M sorry," he said guiltily, rising from the floor. Maybe he was just on edge from the screams...

"It's fine." 

They sat/stood in silence for a couple minutes, maybe ten. 

"Harry, come here," she said suddenly, beckoning him to her. 

He complied, though confused, walking over and standing in front of her. 

Y/N furrowed her brows and studied his face. "Were you eating pudding earlier?" she asked. 

"Er...yeah. Ron brought some to the common room two hours ago, leftovers from lunch," he said. How did she know he had eaten pudding? 

"It's on the corner of your lip and it's been driving me nuts for upwards of ten minutes," she chuckled. 

Immediately, his hand flew to his face. Had it been there for two hours? He tried to wipe the pudding off, but gave up when she continued chuckling at him. "Maybe its the chocolate," he said as Y/N shook her head. 

"Come here, you dork. I'll get it," Y/N teased. 

He took a step forward, now standing between her legs. Harry didn't know if her heart was beating as fast as his, but his...his was racing. 

If this was her way to distract him from his parents' screams, it was working. 

Y/N swiped her thumb across the corner of his lips and Harry felt his breath quicken. He didn't know if he was imagining it, but did her thumb linger? 

"Got it," she said, giving Harry a smile and locking eyes with him.

"Right..." Harry said, not really listening. Her eyes had captured him. "Mhmm..." 

She didn't say anything and stared back.

Harry heard the door click open, but his back was turned from it. Y/N didn't acknowledge the noise either. 

"Oh Harry - I didn't 'spect you to still be here - just forgot the briefcase-" Professor Lupin's voice rang through the silent room. 

The two students froze. 

"Harry!" he heard Lupin say, sounding thoroughly scandalized. "I understand I left fifteen minutes ago, but that does not mean you bring...a girl...here...to...participate in activities." 

Harry wanted to crawl into a hole and die. 

He looked to Y/N, who's face was redder than a tomato. She silently signaled for him to move out of the way and explain before Lupin took points...or gave them detention. Or exploded out of rage. 

The last one seemed the most likely

Nervously, he side-stepped and turned to face his professor. Y/N was in view now. 

A look of anger flashed across Lupin's face. 

This was Harry's end. 

He was going to die at the wand of his professor.

"Mister Potter," Lupin said harshly. "What are you doing with my daughter?" 

Y/N's P.O.V. 

Remus looked like he was about to strangle Harry. Which, objectively, would be bad. 

"Dad-" Y/N began. "It's not what it looks like!" 

"Yeah?" her uncle spat, eyes locked on Harry in a fierce glare. "Then what is it?" 

Y/N pleaded, "Just let me explain-" 

"No," Remus cut her off. "I want Mister Potter here to explain." 

Harry glanced at her nervously. Y/N jerked her in a 'go on,' motion. This was going to go terribly. 

"Er - Professor Lupin, please, she was just helping me with something!" Harry said desperately, wringing his hands. 

Her uncle raised a brow and Y/N let out a groan. "Dad I'll talk to you about it later." 

"No," Remus said again. "We will talk about it now," he said firmly. Then, he turned to Harry. "I'd advise you leave, Mr. Potter," he said coldly. 

Bowing his head slightly, Harry glanced at Y/N and hurried out of the classroom, shutting the door behind him. What had they gotten into? 

"Dad, come on, you know he's my friend!" Y/N exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. This was stupid! They weren't even doing anything! 

"Then why did it look like you two were kissing?" Remus asked, still standing in the middle of the room. His voice was tense. 

"It did not!" Y/N said, affronted. "I was getting pudding off his face because he's an idiot and can't do it himself!" 

"Y/N, it looked very much like he was kissing you. I don't know if I'm okay with that." 

Y/N closed her eyes and let out a sigh. This was stupid and annoying. Remus was just blowing things out of proportion! As her anger rose, her palms began to tingle. 

"Well, we weren't," she told him firmly. "If we were, I would be outright with you." 

"Would you?" Remus said bitterly. 

"Yes!" Y/N exclaimed, exasperatedly. "Why do you even care who I'm kissing? Not that I am kissing Harry - do you think I'd do that?"  

"No! I just - I don't want your best friend playing with your feelings like that!" 

"He's not! He doesn't like me - I don't - we aren't - ugh!" Y/N said in frustration. This was so dumb! 

"I cant be sure of that, Y/N," her uncle said. 

"Why would I hide it from you? Is this a matter of trust?" Y/N said, her voice rising. 

Suddenly looking guilty, Remus looked at the floor and sighed. "I'm sorry, Y/N. I...shouldn't have jumped to conclusions." 

"Yeah, you shouldn't have." 

"I'm sorry-" 

"Okay," Y/N said monotonously.

She hopped off the desk and approached the door with clenched fists. Her uncle caught her by the arm and brought her into a warm hug. She scoffed, fought it for a moment, but relaxed. 

They stayed like that for five minutes. When Remus released her, she soundlessly left. 

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Ravenclaw played Slytherin a week after the start of term. Slytherin won, though narrowly. The quartet booed loudly at the match, even though they wanted Slytherin to win anyway. 

Harry said that if Gryffindor beat Ravenclaw, they'd be in the running to win. 

Ron, Hermione and Y/N just encouraged him. 

Y/N spent most of her time with Hermione, studying. 

Ron would usually hang out with Dean and Seamus while Harry had Quidditch practice six times a week. 

Of course, Y/N still went to Dementor Defense lessons with Harry. Her uncle had gotten less apprehensive about Harry and had begun to call him, "Harry," again instead of, "Mister Potter." 

Had she forgiven Remus yet? Almost. 

But one evening in the common room, Hermione brought something up that scared Y/N out of her wits. 

"Have you noticed anything strange with your uncle?" Hermione asked absently, scribbling away. 

Y/N froze, then quickly composed herself. "No...? Have you?" she said nervously. 

"Mmmmmm," said Hermione. "Yes." 

"Care to explain, Herms?" Y/N asked. Hermione couldn't know. She couldn't. 

"Well..." Hermione said, trailing off. She looked around the common room, full of people. Then, Hermione grabbed her schoolwork, said, "Come on," and walked up to their dormitory. 

"Okay..." said Y/N hesitantly. She followed Hermione up the staircase to find her best friend putting her schoolwork on her bedside table. 

Hermione sat down on Y/N's bed, Y/N did the same. 

"Y/N..." Hermione started. 

Giving her a nod, Y/N was getting increasingly worried. "Please, please, please," she thought. "Please don't say it, please don't say it-" 

"Your uncle is a werewolf, right?" 

Y/N's heart stopped. This wasn't her secret to divulge. 

But she could never hide anything from Hermione, her best friend, basically her sister. 

Slowly, Y/N nodded.

Hermione gasped. 

"Please, don't tell anyone! Dad would - it wasn't my secret to..." Y/N said quickly. 

Hermione gave a light laugh, "Of course I wont, Trouble. I would never," she said. "I just wanted to see if my theory was right." 

"Which, it was," Y/N muttered. 

"Which, it was," Hermione repeated smugly. 

Y/N was a little bit confused, though. "How did you know?" 

Hermione blinked at her. "It was...rather obvious," she said with a shrug. When Y/N raised a brow, Hermione continued, "I mean, the essay Snape set! All the symptoms were there - plus, it explains the moon being his Boggart." 

"You're too observant, Herms," Y/N sighed. "Brightest witch of our age, you are." 

"Thanks, Trouble," Hermione said, getting up to go back downstairs. 

"Just...please, don't judge him! He's not a typical werewolf, he's not going to hurt anyone!" Y/N exclaimed worriedly. 

Hermione just gave her a look. "Of course I don't think he's going to hurt anyone. Have you seen him? No dangerous person wears cardigans," Hermione joked.

"Haha," Y/N said dryly. "You're not wrong though." 

"And he's an amazing teacher," Hermione went on. "I've learnt so much! Next year is going to be a breeze!" 

"Not Hermione Granger if she's not thinking about school at all times," Y/N said playfully. Then, her eyes fell on the clock. Seven fifty-five in the evening. Her eyes widened. "Shit!" she exclaimed. 

Quickly, rising from the bed, she kept yelling. 

"Shit, shit, shit!" 

"What, what, what?" 

"I'm late for Dementor Defense!" 

✦

January had faded imperceptibly into February, the harsh weather and bitter cold continuing. As per Harry's panicked rants, the Ravenclaw match was drawing nearer. And Harry still hadn't mastered the Patronus charm, but Y/N was getting closer.

"I'm sorry!" Y/N said, rushing into the History of Magic Classroom at eight ten. Late again. "Sorry!" 

Harry and Remus just stared at her. Her uncle's jaw was slightly clenched, watching as she locked eyes with Harry. The two looked away quickly. 

"Right on time, kid," Remus joked and Harry laughed.

"Shut up," Y/N muttered. "That's really unkind." 

They practiced for at least an hour. Harry had made some small progress and he had even stopped passing out. A while ago, he confessed to Y/N that he wanted to hear his parents. She shook him out of it, though. 

After many failed (but extremely close) attempts, Harry was extremely frustrated and sat on the floor, angrily chewing his chocolate. 

"This is stupid!" he complained. "I need to get this!" 

"You're expecting too much of yourself," Remus said. "You're thirteen! An indistinct Patronus is incredibly impressive." 

"But Y/N's almost got it," Harry grumbled, pointing the chocolate bar at her. 

He was sort of cute when he was annoyed.

"That's because I'm Remus Lupin's niece," Y/N said with a wink. "Besides, if the Dementors try anything at your next match, I will personally cart them off to Azkaban." 

Harry chuckled and Y/N was glad that he was finally being less gloomy. 

"Alright, Y/N. Your turn," Remus said. 

She nodded and stood facing the briefcase. Remus opened it and the Dementor floated out eerily, as usual, draped in black and surrounded by cold. 

She recalled her memory. The Snowman Contest, with Ron and Hermione and Harry. And their laughs and their joy and the freezing cold. It was one of the many memories that worked for her. 

"Expecto Patronum!" Y/N said confidently. 

She didn't expect her confidence to go that far, though. 

To everyone's surprise, a corporeal Patronus burst forth from her wand. Silvery-blue wisps filled the air, swirling and following the animal. 

A large, strong body. Pointed canines, sharp eyes. Claws that could kill someone in one hit and a fierceness that matched Y/N Sterling.

It was a Lioness. 

The feline gave a soundless roar and swung it's claws at the Dementor, pushing it back, keeping it at bay. The silver-blue light surrounded all of them, radiating off their faces as the Dementor-Boggart returned to the briefcase. 

After, the Lioness padded it's way back to Y/N. It bowed it's head slightly, then disappeared into silver fog.

The room was silent for a moment. Then everyone began speaking at once. 

"Kid! That was - oh Merlin! I am so proud of you!" 

"Sterling, that was amazing. You gotta teach me how or I'll hex your hair!" 

"Did I just do that? What just happened?" 

Remus was grinning from ear to ear. He walked closer and pulled Y/N into a hug. 

Then, Harry got up from the floor and joined the hug in the middle of the room. Well, it was more like Y/N was being hugged by two people. Remus and Harry weren't on hugging terms. 

Yet. 

"You know what, I was waiting...but..." Remus said, walking over to a his actual briefcase with all his personal items. He pulled out three bottles of Butterbeer. "Why not?" 

Y/N and Harry beamed at him. 

"Butterbeer!" Harry exclaimed. "I love that stuff!" 

This idiot. Remus knew he wasn't supposed to go to Hogsmeade! This is why Harry was not in Ravenclaw. 

Remus raised a brow at him. 

"I brought some back for him," Y/N said casually. "Madam Rosmerta gave me a deal - buy two get one free. I was buying for a prank." 

Her uncle relaxed and popped open the bottles and handed them out. 

Harry shot Y/N a grateful look and a smile...or was it a smirk? 

They all sat down on the desks, Harry and Y/N sharing one, while Remus sat across from them. 

"To Gryffindor's victory against Ravenclaw!" Remus said as they drank. "Not that I'm supposed to take sides, as a teacher," he said quickly. 

They drank in silence for the next few minutes, but Y/N was incredibly conscious of Harry's leg pressed against hers. 

"What's under a Dementors hood?" Harry asked suddenly. 

Remus put the bottle down thoughtfully. "Well, it can be caught at a glance...but only the people who have experienced the Dementor's kiss can describe it - though they are in no condition to do so." 

Y/N nodded, turning her head to Harry. "Their worst and last weapon, the Dementor's Kiss." 

"What's that?" 

"It's when a Dementor snogs you and sucks out your soul," Y/N said simply with a grin. Harry rolled his eyes and Remus groaned. 

"I wouldn't have worded it...so...crudely," Remus said as Y/N gave an offended scoff. "But, yes." 

"And...this kills the person?" Harry asked in a small voice.

Remus's expression turned grave, "No. It's much worse - you can exist without a soul, you know. But you will be empty. A shell of what you once were." 

He paused as though he was going to continue, but he didn't. Y/N opened her mouth, then Remus said, "It is the fate that awaits Sirius Black, when he is caught." 

The two students sat stunned for a moment. Harry spoke up. 

"He deserves it." 

"You think so?" her uncle asked. She didn't know why, but Y/N thought she heard...sadness in his voice. "You really think anyone deserves that?" 

"Yes," Harry said defiantly. "For...some things." 

He glanced at Y/N and she was sure that Harry was remembering that night. The night he found out and the night Y/N comforted him in bed. 

They chatted some more about random things, schoolwork, etc. Then, at about nine thirty, Y/N and Harry left the History of Magic classroom. 

"Y/N! That was so amazing!" Harry said wistfully. "Your Patronus, I mean."

"I know, right?" Y/N said proudly. "I never thought it'd be a lioness." 

Harry nudged her, "C'mon, it suits you." 

"You think?" she asked hopefully. 

"I know," he said firmly. 

Harry let out a small scream as he collided into Professor McGonagall. "Oh! Sorry, Mister Potter - hello, Miss Sterling," their Professor greeted. 

"Hullo!" Y/N said brightly, slowing down her walk and stopping. 

"Potter, I have just been looking for you," McGonagall said. "I am here to return your broomstick. There seems to be...no problems at all." 

Harry and Y/N's jaws dropped. She stood, holding the magnificent-as-ever Firebolt. 

"You have a very good friend somewhere out there, Potter," McGonagall said with a smile, handing the broom to Harry. 

"I can have it back, Professor? Seriously?" Harry asked excitedly. His eyes were shining and Y/N thought it was incredibly cute. 

"Seriously," Professor McGonagall confirmed and she was smiling. "I daresay you'll need it for Saturday's match. And please, Potter, try to win, or we'll be out of the running for the eighth year in a row. Professor Snape was kind enough to remind me." 

"Thank you so much, Professor!" Y/N supplied, as Harry was absolutely speechless, mouth gaping. 

McGonagall just smiled again and left. Harry and Y/N ran through the corridors, rushing to get back to Gryffindor tower. 

They saw a familiar redhead on the way and yelled, "Ron!" 

The boy turned around and his eyes immediately widened. "She gave it to you! Finally! Will you let me have a go on it, Harry?" 

"Yeah - anything," Harry said, out of breath. 

"He's kinda...out of it, Ronnie," Y/N said to Ron, putting a finger beside her head and twirling it in a crazy motion. 

"You know..." Harry began as they walked to Gryffindor tower. "We should make up with Hermione - she was only trying to help." 

"No way," Y/N said in mock surprise. "It's almost as though her and I are always right." 

Ron ignored her and said, "Alright - she's in the common room, working for a change," he chuckled at his own joke. 

When they arrived at the entrance, they saw Neville in an argument with Sir Cadogan. 

"No - I shalt not permit thee inside without the pass of entry!" Sir Cadogan exclaimed. 

"Please!" Neville pleaded. "I wrote them all down, must've lost the list-" 

"Likely story!" the knight roared. Then, he spotted Y/N, Harry and Ron. "Misters and Miss! Come, this loon is attempting to force entry into the chambers within!" 

Harry and Ron rolled their eyes. 

"Sir Cardigan, that's Neville," Y/N said as she frowned. "You're being ridiculous." 

"Oddsbodkins," Harry said tiredly. Sir Cadogan looked extremely disappointed, but the painting swung open and the four of them piled inside. 

Immediately, the murmurs started. 

"Harry! Is that Firebolt?" 

"Did Y/N get it for you-" 

"Are you dumb? Why would she? They're not dating-" 

"Yet!"

"Can I look at it, Harry?" 

"Can I hold it, Harry?" 

"Have you ridden it yet?" 

"You'll beat Ravenclaw for sure! They're all on Cleansweep Sevens!" 

While the students crowded Harry and Ron, Y/N slipped off to go find Hermione. She was the only one who hadn't scampered to the broom. 

She found her by the fire, hunched over her homework, avoiding looking at Harry and Ron. 

"Hey, Herms," she said. 

"Hi, Trouble," Hermione said tiredly. 

Y/N furrowed her brows, letting her eyes wander to the gold chain around Hermione's neck. "The..." she lowered her voice, "Time-Turner getting tiring?" she asked. 

"Mhmmm..." Hermione said sleepily. They spoke about the stress for ten minutes before Harry and Ron came over and they fell quiet. 

"I got it back," Harry said, grinning and running a hand through his hair. It was incredibly hot - and seeing him on the broom...playing Quidditch would be hotter. 

"See, Hermione? There wasn't anything wrong with it!" said Ron, not acknowledging the warning look Y/N gave him. 

Hermione spluttered, "Well - there might have been! At least you know it's safe!" 

"Yeah, I suppose so," Harry said casually, grinning when Y/N gave him a soft smile. "I better put it upstairs-" 

"I'll do it!" Ron said, taking the Firebolt from Harry's hands and gingerly walking up the  stairs. "I've to give Scabbers his rat tonic anyway." 

Harry sat down next to Y/N and asked Hermione, "How're you getting through all this stuff?" 

Hermione glanced quickly at Y/N. They both said, at the same time, "You know...I'm/shes just working really hard." 

Though he squinted his eyes suspiciously, Harry let it go and examined the work spread on the tables. 

He picked up a piece of paper and said, nudging Y/N, "Why're you taking Muggle Studies when you're a muggleborn?" he asked. 

"It's nice seeing it from a different point of view," Y/N's best friend reasoned. 

"Yeah," Y/N agreed just for Hermione's sake. Also, she had to contribute to this conversation is some way. She couldn't just stare at Harry the whole time. 

"And Arithmancy looks like a nightmare!" Harry said, shuffling through more papers and handing them to Y/N, who now had a whole stack in her arms. 

"I'm not a paper bag!" Y/N whined.

"No - Arithmancy is amazing, it's really-" Hermione said earnestly. 

But they never found out what was so amazing about Arithmancy, for a strangled yell echoed from the boys dormitory. The common room, previously buzzing about the Firebolt, fell silent as loud footsteps got closer and closer. 

There, at the entrance, stood Ron, holding his bedsheets. His face was as red as his hair and screwed up in anger. 

"LOOK!" he bellowed, storming to their table. Y/N just raised a brow, completely unfazed by his outburst. 

"LOOK!" he yelled again, shaking the sheets in Hermione's face.

"Ron...what-?" Hermione said, confused, tired and scared. 

"SCABBERS! LOOK! SCABBERS!" 

Hermione was flinching away from him, but Harry and Y/N leaned forward to look at the bedsheets. Splattered across the fabric was something red. Something that looked horribly, to Y/N, like- 

"BLOOD!" Ron screamed into the silence of the common room. "HE'S GONE! SCABBERS IS GONE! AND YOU KNOW WHAT WAS ON THE FLOOR?" 

"N-no!" Hermione said in a trembling voice. 

Ron threw something down onto her Arithmancy papers. Hermione, Harry and Y/N leaned forward to take a look. Lying on top of the parchment were several long, ginger cat hairs. 

─── ☆: *.⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ .* :☆ ───

hey guys...😅

how ya'll beeeennnnnn.....? 

OKOKOK I KNOW THIS UPDATE TOOK FOREVER AND IM SO SORRY 😓

but i can explain, pookies 😨

so like i'm going through a (best friend for nine years)friend-breakup rn and i was supposed to publish this yesterday night but i cried myself to sleep so i didn't get time 😍

anywaywyawyayayyayy tell me if u liked the chappterrr

I PROMISE PROMISE PROMISE that once exam week is done, i will pump out chapters faster than mrs.weasley pumped out her kids !! 

THANK U ALL SOOO MUCHHH FOR 1K READS (and 75 votes) AAHHHHHH THATS ACC CRAZY TO MEEEEE I DIDN'T THINK I'D GET THIS FARRR

I LITERALLY CAN'T EXPRESS HOW THANKFUL I AMMMMM

k guys! don't forget to comment n vote :) 

bye pookies 😘

- dizzyann1e