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

Y/N's P.O.V. 

"How long have you been awake?" Y/N demanded to Ron, glaring at him. 

"Like, a couple seconds. Long enough to see that, though! Stop!" Ron said, sticking out his tongue in disgust. 

Y/N tuned out Ron's scolding, but she didn't have to for long. In about three seconds, the Hospital Wing door clicked open once more. Harry and Hermione ran inside, panting and covered in new scratches. 

Ron, taking one glance at Hermione, attempted to get up. "Hermione-" but he forgot that he just broke his fucking foot and stumbled backwards. 

"Ron," Hermione smiled, walking over to the boy and sitting on his bed. 

Mimicking her, Harry sat with Y/N once more. 

For a couple seconds, they just stared at each other. Her e/c eyes looking into his emerald ones. Harry had a long, but shallow, gash on his cheek. 

Bringing a hand up to caress it, Y/N never got the chance - 

"Did I just hear the Headmaster leave?" Madam Pomfrey said, striding out of her office. "Can I take care of my patients now? Mister Potter, Miss Granger! In bed - now!" 

Reluctantly, Harry and Hermione got up with whispered goodbyes, settling into their own beds and eating the chocolate Madam Pomfrey gave them. 

Somewhere above them, Y/N heard a distant roar of fury echo through the castle. Madam Pomfrey scoffed, but the voices drew near. 

"What's all the fuss about?" Hermione asked. 

"They're ruining my beauty sleep," Y/N joked.

As the voices approached the door, Y/N could hear...Severus Snape. 

"Really - they'll wake everybody up! What do they think they're doing?" said Madam Pomfrey furiously. 

"Black must have disapparted, Severus - we should've left someone in the room with him...When this gets out..." 

"HE DIDN'T DISAPPARATE!" Snape roared, the voices dangerously close. Hermione would be proud - at least Snape's read Hogwarts: A History.  

"YOU CAN'T APPARATE OR DISAPPARATE INSIDE THIS CASTLE! THIS - HAS - SOMETHING - TO - DO - WITH - POTTER!" 

"Severus, the boy has been locked up-" 

BAM! 

Y/N jumped a little as the door burst open. Fudge, Snape and Dumbledore came striding in. Dumbledore looked almost calm, while Snape looked beside himself in anger. 

"OUT WITH IT, POTTER! WHAT DID YOU DO? WHAT DID THAT GIRL-" Snape turned to Y/N, "- HELP YOU WITH?!" 

Okay, ouch. It wasn't even Y/N this time. It was Hermione and she deserved full credit. 

This was a situation in which Y/N had to stop herself from giggling. 

"Professor Snape!" Madam Pomfrey shrieked. "Control yourself!" 

"This door has been locked, Severus," Dumbledore said serenely. 

"THEY HELPED HIM ESCAPE! I KNOW IT!" Snape bellowed, pointing between Y/N, Harry and Hermione. 

Y/N was fed up of it, "I'm literally bleeding gallons worth of blood from my stomach. Are you in your right mind?" 

Everyone went silent. Y/N felt pretty proud when Snape's face twisted in rage- "YOU-" 

"Calm down, man!" Fudge barked. "These children have been through something horrible tonight!" 

"YOU DON'T KNOW POTTER LIKE I DO!" Snape yelled, whipping around to scream in the Minister's face. "HE DID IT - I KNOW HE DID IT-" 

"That'll be enough, Severus," Dumbledore said gently. 

Hermione caught Y/N's eye and they stared at each other for a moment. Hermione's lip twitched upward - she almost burst out laughing. 

Dumbledore continued, "This door has been locked since I left the ward ten minutes ago. Poppy, have these students been out of their beds?" 

"Of course not!" 

"Well, there you have it, Severus," Dumbledore said. "Unless you are suggesting that Harry, Y/N, who is injured, and Hermione can be in two places at once...?" 

Snape said nothing, but glared at each of them in turn. Y/N glared back. He whirled around, storming out of the Hospital Wing. 

"He's an unbalanced fellow," Cornelius Fudge said, eyeing Snape as he left. 

"No," Dumbledore said. Y/N highly disagreed. "He has just suffered a great loss." 

Dumbledore gave the group a knowing smile, then turned to Fudge, gently guiding him away from their beds.

Madam Pomfrey ushered everyone else out of the ward, then locked the door. She turned back to the children and smiled. "Is there anything else I can do for you, my dears?" 

Y/N said, "Er... could you put mine and Ron's bed's together? Just so we can talk easier?" 

The matron's eyes softened. "Of course, Y/N dear," she said. She fished out her wand from her pocket and gave it a swish. Slowly, Ron's bed came and conjoined with hers. 

"Is that all, dears?" 

"Yes," Hermione said gratefully. 

Madam Pomfrey smiled again, then went and locked herself in her office.

Harry and Hermione came and sat on the beds, but Ron tackled Y/N in a hug. 

"Y/N - I saw what happened before Pettigrew hit me with that spell! Are you okay?" he asked frantically, squeezing her. 

With a few tears in her eyes at Ron's caring, Y/N nodded into his shoulder, "Mhm, dad could never hurt me that bad, anyway." 

"Are you sure you're okay? It looked like a bloodbath," Ron said, concerned. 

"I'm sure," Y/N said, pulling back slightly and giving him a sideways smile. 

Ron pulled her close again, giving her a brotherly kiss on the forehead. "As long as you're okay." 

"You're such a sap." 

"You ruined the moment!" Ron whined, lightly shoving her. 

Y/N gave a light laugh and shoved him back, "Whoops!" 

Harry and Hermione were onlooking the interaction with amusement on their faces. Harry settled on Y/N's side of the large conjoined bed, taking the side farthest from the middle. 

Hermione tried to sit on the outside, beside Ron, but he quite literally picked her up and moved her, so she was in the middle, beside Y/N. 

Their order? Harry - Y/N - Hermione - Ron. 

They all sat, squished together, with their backs against the headboard, then Ron asked, "So...what happened? Where's Sirius? Where's Professor Lupin?" 

"Yeah - what happened, back in the past?" Y/N asked as Harry leaned his head on her shoulder. 

She brought a hand up to play with his hair, he sighed contently. "You tell them," he said to Hermione. 

Hermione sighed, then began to recount their perilous tale to Y/N and Ron. 

She told of how they went back in time and saved Buckbeak, then sat and watched Remus turn into a werewolf. 

"Harry almost ran out there to grab you, Y/N-" Hermione said. 

"You didn't have to tell her that," Harry grumbled, hiding his face in the crook of Y/N's neck. 

He let out a sigh that tickled her skin, but Y/N smiled to herself. He was cute, especially when he was flustered or embarrassed or awkward.

Hermione smirked. "Anyway, he wasn't allowed to do that," she glared at Harry. "It's so illegal." 

"Hermione," Ron said in mock-seriousness. "This whole Time-Turner thing is illegal! How did you even get one?" 

"From Professor McGonagall," Hermione said airily, waving a hand. "It was to help with my classes!" 

Y/N snickered at Ron's confusion. "I knew right from the beginning!" she said proudly. Ron rolled his eyes. 

Continuing the story, Hermione reached the part where they had caught up with Sirius, after Y/N urged them to leave. 

"Which, by the way," Harry intervened. "You promise me that you'd do anything," he said. 

"What?" Y/N said, confused for a moment. 

"When you told us to follow Sirius," he explained. "I said no. You said you'd do anything - when can I cash that in?" 

Y/N decided not to answer immediately. "You're not allowed to cash that in!" she said cheerily. What could he possibly want? 

Harry slumped against her, "Well, too bad, I'm gonna," he said, sticking his tongue out. 

"What are you even gonna use it for?" Y/N said curiously, turning her head to look down at him. 

Straightening, Harry brought a hand to grip her chin once more. Y/N knew she was red, her eyes widened and her breath hitched - she couldn't help it. 

"What do you want me to use it for?" Harry asked, brushing his thumb against her bottom lip.

She could barely form thoughts, let alone sentences. Her heart was racing about a thousand kilometers per hour and if she were a bomb, she would explode right about now. 

"I-" 

"Mate!" Ron said, scandalized and angry. He gave Harry a piercing glare and Harry recoiled his hand away, but stayed leaned on Y/N. "That is my little sister. Can you not?" 

"Sorry," Harry mumbled sheepishly against Y/N's neck. It sent tingles all through her body - it was as though Harry couldn't stay away...

"Hermione, continue, please," Ron said grumpily, grabbing Hermione's hand. 

Hermione, laughing, obliged. She told them of how she and Harry watched their past-selves, along with Sirius, on the bank of the Black Lake. How the Dementors swooped in on them, almost sucking their souls out. 

"At first, you know, when I was dying on the bank," said Harry. "There was a Patronus - a huge stag - cast from the forest...I thought it was my dad." 

The group nodded. 

Harry continued, "But when we went back to the past...I realized it wasn't. I realized it was me." 

Y/N brightened - he had finally achieved what he had been workings towards for so long. "Harry! You did it?" 

He nodded, the shift causing his black hair to tickle her ear. "Mhm - it was a corporeal Patronus this time!" he said excitedly. 

"I'm proud of you," Y/N said, wrapping her arms around him. He was careful to not lean against her chest or stomach, since, you know...the cut. 

But what Harry did do was wrap an arm around her waist, keeping a firm but soft grip.

He seemed almost hesitant. When she glanced at him, Y/N saw that he was bright red. "Are you okay?" she asked. Did he have a fever? 

"Hm?" Harry said, startled. "Oh, er, yeah- I'm great, well, I mean, like - great as in okay, like not actually-"

Y/N chuckled a little at his awkwardness, rubbed his back, then turned her attention to Hermione, who was sitting squished up beside her. 

Hermione continued her story. They saved Sirius and their Past Selves from the Dementors, then waited for Snape to take them to the castle. After that, they flew Buckbeak to Flitwick's office and broke Sirius out.

"Where is he now?" Ron asked. 

Hermione shrugged sadly, her mouth curved in a frown, "On the run - he took Buckbeak and flew off..." 

"Probably for the best..." Harry added in a hollow voice. "On another note, we saw Remus in the forest." 

Y/N jumped at her uncle's name. "Is he okay?" she asked sharply. Was he just wandering the forest alone? Was he safe? 

"Er," said Hermione. "He's okay, I doubt there's anything in the forest that could harm a werewolf." 

Y/N let out a sigh of relief, "Alright - that's good, then. Did he...did he hurt you guys?" 

Harry and Hermione fell quiet, then Harry said, "Well, he tried - we ran."

She suspected that it wasn't the whole story, but Y/N decided to let it go. 

"So Sirius is just gone?" Ron asked solemnly. "What about his trial? He should get one, now, right?" 

Shaking her head sadly, Y/N said, "No...without Pettigrew, there isn't enough evidence." 

Ron groaned, pulling Hermione closer. He used his free hand to tug at his hair in frustration. Hermione slapped it away. "If I hadn't been so stuck up about Scabbers-" 

"Ron!" said Harry. "None of this is your fault." 

"How could you even say that, Weasley? In what way would that do anything?" Y/N demanded. 

Hanging his head, Ron said defeatedly, "I don't know - maybe if I kept a closer watch-" 

"Ronald Weasley," Hermione said seriously. "Stop pining all the blame on yourself! How were you to know? He was your pet rat!" she said angrily, never letting go of his hand. 

Blushing, Y/N watched as Ron shifted his gaze to Hermione. "But-" 

"No." 

The topic shifted to how long they would stay, and as though she was summoned, Madam Pomfrey emerged from her office, holding a bottle. 

"Y/N, dear," Madam Pomfrey said. "You're going to need to drink this," she brandished the bottle. "Blood Replenishing Potion." 

"Ew," Y/N said, scrunching her nose. 

"It's going to be okay, Trouble," Hermione teased. "I'll hold your hand to get you through it, if you want." 

"Shut your face, Herms," Y/N said, pushing Hermione's face away with her palm while Hermione giggled. 

"No, no - I think she's right. You seem like you need some emotional support," Ron added, nodding his head. 

"Weasley I swear I will kill you." 

Ron scoffed, "Oh, as if. You're harmless! And incredibly short-" 

"YOU'RE JUST TALL!" 

"I could fit you in my luggage trunk." 

"Stop acting all high and mighty," Y/N huffed. She was very aware of the fact that Madam Pomfrey, Hermione and Harry were watching this exchange with great interest. "Grow up already!" 

With a laugh, Ron said, "I've certainly grown much better than you-" 

And that was the end of Ronald Billius Weasley. 

Y/N, reaching around Hermione, elbowed him hard, but not enough to injure. He almost tumbled off the bed, but to Y/N's displeasure, Hermione caught him by the arm and heaved him upright. 

"I'll get you for that," Y/N grumbled. 

"He's not wrong, though," Harry said. "We don't have to use the word short-" 

"Not you too," said Y/N with a groan. Hermione snickered loudly. 

"We could use the phrase, 'vertically challenged', if you will," Harry considered, obviously fighting back laughs. 

"Potter I will end you," she said threateningly, yanking her arms away from Harry, who immediately apologized and hugged her again. 

It gave her butterflies every time, but these were Friend Things, right? 

Right. 

She couldn't convince herself that Harry wanted anything with her, especially not after her Boggart. She couldn't build all that hope up, only to have it broken into a million pieces. 

Friends was good.

"Y/N," Hermione said expectantly. "Your medicine."

Reluctantly, but with a "thank you," Y/N took the goblet that Madam Pomfrey had patiently been holding. Downing the disgusting medicine, she gagged and handed it back. 

"Get ready for bed, dears," said Madam Pomfrey, after putting away the medicine. When nobody budged from their spots, only getting cozier, she added, "In your own beds." 

"But Madam Pomfrey," Y/N said, mustering up her most innocent face. "We just faced something really traumatic. We need to be together," she said sweetly. 

The Matron rolled her eyes affectionately. "Is that so, Miss Sterling?" 

"Yes," Y/N said sadly. 

"Plus, Harry will be sad if you separate them," Hermione said "Won't you, Harry?" she asked the boy in a tone that indicated it wasn't really a question. 

'Mhm," Harry agreed. "I'll be devastated. So devastated I'll die." 

"Exactly," Ron added. "Then everyone will be like, 'oh no! the Boy Who Lived is dead!' and then everyone will fall into depression," he said very solemnly. 

Hermione ended them off. "So, in conclusion to our presentation, if you don't let us all stay together, everyone will die. Also, If you keep Y/N and I apart, we'll be sad. If you keep Ron and Harry apart, they'll be sad." 

"We could reiterate our point into a Dance Routine as well," Ron said brightly. 

Madam Pomfrey heaved a sigh, but the corner of her lips curved upwards nonetheless."Alright, just this once. Lights out - now!" 

She swished her wand and the lamps dimmed into darkness. "Goodnight, all," she said, opening the door to her office. Y/N assumed that she had a living quarters in there, as well. 

"Goodnight!" they chorused back. 

Mission success. 

With the lights off, everything is immediately funnier. It was basically a rule that Y/N had followed since she was seven years old and Remus tucked her in. 

Remus used to say "goodnight," it would make her giggle. He would say, "stop that!" and she'd giggle even harder. In the end, he tickled her until she was drained, falling asleep out of pure exhaustion.

"Goodnight," Harry said. It started the giggles. 

Her friends stared at her, concerned. "Are you taking the mickey?" Ron asked bemusedly. 

It made her laugh even harder, to which Hermione said tiredly, "Don't mind her. It's a regular reoccurrence, give her a few minutes." 

Indeed, it took Y/N a couple minutes to calm down. After she did, they all mumbled their goodnights (Y/N had to restrain herself from laughing) and cozied up. 

Harry, somehow, snuggled even closer to Y/N. His arms now gingerly resting around her waist, careful of her healing wound, he shifted so she was half-leaning on him. 

Since everyone was cuddled up in what was basically one big pile, Y/N could convince herself that he was hugging her...because everyone was hugging! 

Hermione was snuggled up between Ron and Y/N, one arm nestled near Y/N's head, the rest of her body engulfed in Ron's arms. 

"Harry, your arms are going to get pins and needles," Y/N whispered. 

"Shut up," Ron grumbled.

"Ron, you're pinching me!" Hermione whined, shifting around and accidentally elbowing Y/N. 

"Ow, Herms - what the hell," Y/N complained, gently shoving her again. 

"Oi, hands off, Y/N," Ron said. 

"Can you all just stop moving?" Harry hissed. 

"Sorry..." they all mumbled together. 

"Thank you!" said Harry, his breath tickling Y/N's neck. 

There was silence for a few minutes as everyone's breathing slowed down. Gradually, warmth seeped into all of them, due to the combined body heat. It was cozy and warm and amazing. 

Y/N loved feeling comfort like this - her best friends, all in one big cuddly pile. 

"Cuddle puddle," Y/N whispered to the group with a giggle. 

"Who's the sap now?!" 

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

Y/N, Harry, Ron and Hermione left the Hospital Wing at noon, two days after their little...incident. Hermione and Harry had the option to leave early, but that would mean separation from Y/N and Ron, who were still injured, which was out of the question. 

The sweltering heat, and the fact that exams were over, meant that almost every student had taken the opportunity to go to Hogsmeade. The quartet opted out, instead roaming the grounds - staying out of the practically deserted castle. 

Sitting near the Black Lake, Y/N was half way through her third Chess match with the Giant Squid when-

"Hagrid!" Hermione exclaimed. 

Y/N quickly excused herself from the match. She waved bye to Jake, who had communicated his name by dragging a giant tentacle through the muddy bank of the lake. 

Jake was the best. 

She caught up with Harry, Ron and Hermione. Hagrid's huge shadow washed over the group as he looked down at them. 

"I know I shouldn' be happy 'bout wha' happened las' nigh'," he said, wiping a tear away. "With Black escapin' an' all..." he trailed off. "But what what?" 

"What?" they asked, knowing full well what was coming. 

"Beaky! he escaped! Been celebratin' all nigh'!" Hagrid said with the widest smile and teary eyes.

They all feigned looks of shock and excitement. 

"That's wonderful!" Hermione said, glaring at Ron, who was close to laughing. 

He let a snort slip, covering it with a cough. Y/N nudged him hard in the ribs, to which he shoved her, to which Harry stopped him. 

"Do you know how, Hagrid?" Y/N asked. 

Hagrid shrugged, still beaming. "Can't've tied 'im up properly!" he gazed across the Lake. "I was worried this morning, thought he might've met Professor Lupin on the grounds...but he said he didn't eat anything last night..." 

When they were all silent for a moment, Hagrid gave them a look.

Y/N realized that Harry, Ron and Hermione were supposed to react at the fact that her uncle was on the grounds. She nudged Harry. 

"What?" Harry said quickly to Hagrid. 

"Yeh haven' heard - well, Y/N already knew-" Hagrid said, smiling sadly at her. 

"Haven't heard what?" Y/N asked curiously. "Is this about my dad being a werewolf?"

"Er...yeah" said Hagrid. "Professor Snape...he tol' all the Slytherins this morning that Lupin's a werewolf...and that he was loose in the grounds las' nigh'...He's packin', now, o'course..." 

"WHAT?!" Y/N yelled. 

Remus was packing his things, he was resigning? It couldn't be, he was just taking an early summer holiday! 

"He's packing?" Harry said, sounding alarmed. "Why?" 

"Leavin', isn' he?" Hagrid said as though Harry was mentally slow. "Resigned firs' thing this mornin'...says he can't have it happen again - put's people a' risk." 

Y/N snorted, but nothing was funny. "That noble idiot," she said affectionately. Remus was being overdramatic...he couldn't resign. 

She wouldn't let him resign. 

"I'm going to see him," Harry said immediately. 

"I'm going with you - I need to smack some sense into him," Y/N said. She'd convince him to stay, he just needed to be yelled at. 

Hand in hand, Harry and Y/N raced up to the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, where Y/N hoped Remus still was. 

They skidded to a halt in front of the open door and walked inside. He had already packed most of his things. Remus was bent over something on his desk with an open briefcase beside him. He only looked up when Y/N coughed expectantly. 

"I saw you coming," Remus grinned. "Marauders Map." 

"Don't you grin at me, young man!" Y/N scolded, striding into the room. 

Remus blinked at her. "Kid, what-?" 

"You can't resign, dad! Have you gone mental?" Y/N said, her voice rising. "It's not true!" 

With a small laugh, Remus said, "I'm afraid it is, kid." He started opening his desk drawers and emptying the contents. 

"Why?" Harry asked. "Does the Ministry of Magic think you were helping Sirius?" 

Remus shook his head sadly, "No, Dumbledore managed to convince them I was saving you all. But...I can't stay, I'm a danger to everyone, especially you, Y/N." 

"You're not a danger to me - or anyone, for that matter!" Y/N said loudly. This was stupid, this was so dumb! The Ministry of Magic were morons. 

"They threatened to take you out of my care," Remus said in small, shaky voice. 

What? Y/N's heart was beating so fast, she wouldn't be surprised if Remus and Harry could hear it. 

"Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall stopped them," he continued. "They were angry. I've never seen Dumbledore lose his temper like that." 

"Dad...please stay," Y/N pleaded. She knew that she would still see him over the Summer, she lived with him. He was her dad. But she had gotten so used to having him at Hogwarts.

"You're the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had...and you're Y/N's uncle," Harry told him.

Remus said nothing, but continued emptying his drawers. Y/N was about to add on, but he said, to Harry, "I heard you saved a lot of lives last night, Harry, from what the Headmaster has told me. Your Patronus...magnificent, wasn't it?" 

"How d'you know about that?" Harry asked, bewildered. 

With a shrug, Remus said, "You had to drive off the Dementors somehow."

Harry recounted what he had told Y/N. Watching his own soul being taken, realizing that he was the Patronus caster. The way he stepped onto the bank of lake, wand outstretched, a silver Stag bursting from it. Of course, he had gone into detail after Hermione and Ron had fallen asleep...when he and Y/N lay awake. 

"James' Animagus form was a stag," Remus said, his eyes lost in a haze, as though reminiscing. "It's why we called him Prongs."

Remus then glanced at Y/N, his eyes falling on the bandage she still bore.

He hung his head, "I'm sorry," he said in a low voice. 

"About what?" Y/N asked, eyebrow raised. Why was he always sorry when nothing was his fault?

"Attacking you," he murmured. "I promise, kid, I wouldn't...I wasn't...It wasn't me," Remus said miserably. 

Immediately, Y/N went and wrapped him in a hug. "Dad, dad! Of course...It wasn't you...you weren't...it's just a scratch," she reassured. 

"No, Y/N," he shook his head. "I remember feeling my claws...how they hurt you. I saw everything...I couldn't stop myself," Remus had tears in his eyes now, clutching on to Y/N as though she was the only thing in the world. 

"Dad...it's okay," Y/N whispered. "I'm okay, everything's okay." 

"I hurt the person I love and care about the most," Remus said, full-on crying now. It made Y/N tear up. "I'm a monster." 

"What the hell?" Y/N said, retracting slightly. "You aren't a monster, you're the most amazing dad, you're empathic, kind, smart - you're an awesome Professor - even when you give me extra homework," she joked at the end. 

"Professor Lupin, she's right, you know," Harry added. "It wasn't you - you did nothing wrong. And see, Y/N still loves you. We still love you." 

Remus looked at Harry as though seeing him in a new light. "Get in here, Harry," he said with a watery smile. 

Harry started forward and Remus pulled him into the hug. They stayed that way, wrapped in each others' embrace. It was warm and fuzzy. 

Pulling away first, Remus wiped his eyes on his sleeves. "Sorry about that, terribly unprofessional of me," he tried to joke, but his voice shook. 

"Dad, stop," Y/N said seriously. He couldn't cover it up with lame jokes. 

"Speaking of unprofessional," Remus continued, ignoring Y/N. "Since I am no longer your teacher, but still am Moony at heart and the father of a troublemaking brat," he grinned at Y/N. "I don't feel bad giving this back to you, Harry." 

He whipped out the Marauders Map and shoved it into Harry's hands. 

"I daresay you, this prankster here, Ron and Hermione will find a use for it - and this," he piled the Invisibility Cloak into Y/N's arms. 

"You wound me, dad," said Y/N. 

"You told me that Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs would want to lure me out of school bounds...they would think it was funny," Harry said with a raised brow. 

Recently, in the summer breeze, his jet-black hair had become even more tousled. There was just something so attractive about the way it fell in front of his eyes, the way he flicked it out of the way...

Just...Harry. 

Harry, as far as Y/N knew, was absolutely perfect. From his laugh, to his smile, to how he looked at her. The green eyes that gave her butterflies and the soft hands that held hers, their silver bracelets clanking together. 

"We would've," Remus admitted. "But, your father would also be extremely disappointed if his son never found any secret passageways," he said slyly, with a wink. 

Y/N jumped when she heard a knock on the door. Turning, she saw the Headmaster walk inside...followed by Professor McGonagall. 

"Your carriage is waiting, Remus," he said. He seemed completely unsurprised that Y/N and Harry were there. 

"Thank you, Headmaster," said Remus, clicking his last briefcase shut. 

Dumbledore bowed his head. When Y/N looked closer, she saw that Professor McGonagall had tears in her eyes. 

"Well, Harry - It's been wonderful teaching you. Not you, kid," he stuck out his tongue. "But I believe we'll see each other again, Harry." 

He strode the door. "I can see myself to the gates," he told Dumbledore. He waved his wand, most of his suitcases floating behind him. He grabbed his main briefcase

"Nuh uh!" said Y/N, running towards him, squeezing Harry's hand in goodbye. Their bracelets clanged. "I'm coming with you." 

Professor McGonagall chuckled when Remus rolled his eyes. On his way out, he nodded to her. "Professor McGonagall." 

"I haven't been your teacher for well over ten years, Remus!" she said, eyes shining behind her spectacles. "Call me Minerva." 

"I don't think you understand how much I physically cannot do that," Remus answered nervously. 

McGonagall, along with the others, snickered. Everyone said goodbye once more, then Y/N walked her uncle down to the front gates.

Through the halls, they mostly made fun of each other. It was regular - Remus was never too serious of a parent. Protective, yes, but fun.

In the crisp summer air, a carriage was waiting for him, right where the Winged Boar pillars stood. Remus hugged Y/N tight. "See you in a couple days," he said. "I love you." 

"I love you more," Y/N whispered, her cheek resting against his shoulder. 

The hug lasted a good five minutes, the two just taking in the comfort of each other. Finally, they released each other. 

"Bye, dad." 

"Bye, kid." 

Y/N watched as he climbed into the carriage, his suitcases gliding into the luggage compartment. He gripped his briefcase tight as the door closed. 

Remus gave Y/N a trying smile through the window of the door. Y/N waved goodbye, knowing she'd see his insufferable, but loveable face, soon.

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

Morning after next, when they were due to go home, Y/N was frantically packing her trunk. 

"You should've done that last night," Hermione sighed, grabbing a jumper and folding it. 

"Right, mhm, yes, yesterday," Y/N muttered. She could not, in fact, pack yesterday. Because after Hermione went to bed early, Y/N snuck back down to the common room to hang out with Harry. 

///

"Last day of term, how'd it go?" Y/N asked.

They were in their familiar position on the couch...just slightly different. Instead of Harry cuddled in Y/N's arms, she was cuddled in his. 

He lay against a cushion on the arm of the couch, Y/N's arms around his torso, his arms around her waist. 

"Hmm," Harry said thoughtfully. "I think it was pretty relaxing. I mean, after saving a criminal...time traveling...anything is relaxing." 

Y/N chuckled. She couldn't see Harry's face, since her head was resting against his chest, but she assumed he was grinning. 

"Snape was terrible to you today," Harry said. 

With a shrug, Y/N said, "When is he not?" 

"No, it was terrible," Harry said. Y/N could feel him shake his head. "Kept bringing up your uncle...werewolf...only reason Malfoy didn't taunt you is because I convinced 'Mione to put a Lock Jaw Jinx on him." 

"You did?" Y/N asked, lifting her head to look at him. He gazed back with soft eyes. 

"Yeah," Harry replied. The hands on her waist began to rub up and down lightly, warming her, even though she was wearing a hoodie. 

"I also...okay, well, I locked him in the potions supply closet," Harry admitted sheepishly. 

Y/N raised an eyebrow at him. He wasn't serious - he couldn't serious. He'd loose so many points. 

"You're joking me!" 

Harry smirked, "Nah," he said. "He was pissing me off." 

"How so?"

"He was talking shit about you," Harry said simply. "So...I put a jinx on him, froze him, locked him in the closet." 

Y/N thought that her heart actually melted at that. Sure, maybe there was little violence...but it was Draco Malfoy. 

She didn't want to give him too much satisfaction, of course. 

"You're something else, Potter."

/// 

"I was busy yesterday night," Y/N defended pathetically, still chucking things from all over the room into her trunk. 

Hermione rolled her eyes, walking over and gently placing the folded jumper in the trunk. 

"Herms, pass my bag of Dung Bombs-" 

"Why do you have these-?" 

"And those extra Firecrackers-" 

"Are these real?! Have you used them?!" Hermione shrieked. "That's a fire hazard!" 

"Only if there's a fire!" 

"Was there a fire?" 

"...Yes..." 

Y/N didn't have time to look at the flabbergasted expression that she knew Hermione was making. 

Heaving another sigh, Hermione turned back to Y/N's bed. Y/N started rummaging through her bedside drawers as Hermione scanned the bed.

"Who's hoodie is this...oh my Merlin," Hermione said with a gasp. 

Y/N groaned, "Stop. No. I can't hear you." 

"He gave you his hoodie?" Hermione squealed, grabbing Y/N by her shoulders and shaking her in excitement. 

"I stole it," Y/N lied. 

"Liar." 

"Yeah, I'm a liar." 

"Y/N-" 

"Shut your face, Herms," Y/N grumbled. "Gimme the hoodie so I can return it, no point in the summer anyway." 

With a sly smirk, Hermione handed it back. 

Y/N quickly rushed to boy's dorm while Hermione finished packing Y/N's trunk. Bursting in, she had her fingers crossed. Immense relief washed over Y/N when she didn't see Harry in the dorm, he was probably in the bathroom. 

"Give this to Harry!" Y/N yelled hastily, chucking the hoodie at Ron's face. 

"Sis, what-" 

"From Y/N!" she clarified, sprinting out the door, slamming it shut. 

✦

As the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station, Hermione gave them some surprising news. 

"I've seen McGonagall this morning - I'm dropping Muggle Studies," she said. "And I've returned the Time-Turner - it was driving me mad...now I have a normal schedule." 

"What!" Y/N whined. "Why? That thing could've been so useful!" 

"Whatever you're thinking right now, I bet five galleons it's one-hundred percent legal," said Harry, slightly hopefully.

"Ten galleons," countered Ron. "If it was illegal." 

"Yeah, it was illegal," Y/N admitted shamelessly. 

Ron held out a hand and Harry dug inside his pocket, fishing out ten galleons. Faking annoyance, he placed them in Ron's hands, but he was grinning.

Slowly, as they were boarding the train, Harry's grin faded. 

"What's wrong?" Y/N asked, grabbing his hand. 

He shook his head, "Nothing, er - just thinking about the summer..." 

Y/N remember that he had a shitty aunt and uncle. Every summer, he'd come back to Hogwarts, complaining about them. Rightfully so - from the stories, they were awful people. 

"Yeah, I've been thinking about them too," Ron said quickly. "Harry, you've got to come stay with us," Ron said. "We can watch the World Cup! Hermione and Y/N would come too, obviously." 

Hermione and Y/N beamed at him. 

"I can try using a fellytone..." 

"A telephone, Ronald," Hermione corrected as they approached an almost empty section of the train. 

"What's a telephone?" Y/N asked curiously. 

"Anyways," Ron said before anyone could answer. "At least ask - also, Y/N, you better be free for the Cup." 

Y/N put her hands up in surrender. "Yeah, I think I am...but I also think I might be staying with the Diggory's over the summer at some point." 

Ron raised a brow, flinching slightly when Hermione wrenched a compartment door opened. They all filed inside. 

"The Diggory's live near us - would you floo?" 

With a puzzled expression, Y/N said, "No? I would...er...walk...?" 

"WHAT!" Ron exclaimed, jumping out of the seat he had sat in. 

The movement startled Hermione, who was beside him. Y/N looked from Harry to Hermione - they were also confused. 

"What?" Hermione asked. 

"I live near the Diggory's!" Ron said excitedly. 

"Do you want a gold star?" Harry said sarcastically, but it was playful. 

"If I live near the Diggory's and Y/N lives near the Diggory's, that means we live near each other!" Ron explained, waving his arms. "You can come over all the time!" 

"Oh my Merlin, I could!" Y/N shouted, also standing now.

She and Ron grasped each other's hands, squealing like school girls, while Harry and Hermione laughed, clutching their stomachs. 

The atmosphere felt considerably more cheerful. Fred, George and Elijah popped into their compartment, wanting to play Exploding Snap.

"You scared me, you twat!" Y/N yelled at George when he exploded a card in her face, slightly jumping from her seat.

Exactly at that moment, the train jolted and Y/N ended up in the arms of Elijah, who was sitting beside her. 

"Oh shit, Merlin, sorry Ellie!" she apologized, looking from Hermione, to Ron, to Harry, to the twins. 

Everyone but Hermione looked absolutely furious. Why would Harry look furious, though? Y/N and Harry didn't have a brother-sister dynamic...? 

"No, no," Elijah said. "It's okay, you can stay." 

"Er..." Y/N said awkwardly. "I can't play...like that..." she made an excuse. 

Elijah was her friend. Maybe she harbored some romantic feelings for him...she couldn't do this in front of her brothers, Hermione and Harry. 

Harry...whose brows were knit tightly, his jaw clenched. Damn, maybe he had a really bad hand of cards. 

"Alright," Elijah said understandingly. 

He released her and she sat upright, ignoring all the glares, nudging Fred, "Your turn, Freddie," she said. 

They played a couple more rounds, then Fred, George and Elijah got up to leave. 

"Where're you going? Y/N said curiously. 

"To wreak havoc - wanna join?" Fred said, halfway out the door, dragging Elijah and George. 

Y/N shook her head, but gave a smile. "Nah, I'll stay here. Anyways, don't think you're leaving without hugs." 

They all rolled their eyes, but came to her anyway. She hugged Fred and George, bringing their heads into headlocks and ruffling their hair.

When she hugged Elijah, though, his arms went around her torso...almost at her waist. "See you next year - I'll miss your snarky remarks, your pretty face...I'll miss you, Y/N," he whispered.

Oh.

"I'll miss you too, Ellie," Y/N said quietly. "And your annoying self." 

They filed out of the compartment and Harry immediately reclaimed his spot beside Y/N, grabbing her hand.

The clang of their bracelets was something they'd gotten used to. 

"What's that outside your window, Harry?" Hermione asked suddenly, pointing. 

Harry turned - there was a...ball of fluff with a beak pecking at the window, still in flight.

Hastily, he and Ron wrenched it open and the ball of fluff whizzed inside, hooting and chirping happily. 

"Er...what is that?" Ron asked, eyeing the fluff. 

"It's an owl, Ronald," Y/N said, trying to imitate Hermione's voice. Hermione arched a brow at her, so Y/N said, "Sorry, Herms." 

Harry caught the owl in his hand. It was a grey-brown colour. Harry's eyes immediately lit up. "Feel it, Y/N! It feels like a fluffy Snitch!" 

With a laugh, she reached an arm out to pet the bird. It nuzzled up against her hand, opening it's beak so the letter fell into Harry's lap. 

Bandit and Hedwig were in their cages, which were positioned on the far end of the compartment, on the seats. They hooted in dignified approval of the tiny owl. 

It flapped around excitedly - it truly was adorable. 

"He's so cute!" Hermione said as the owl fluttered above her. 

"So fluffy," Y/N agreed. 

Crookshanks' gaze was fixed on the flying ball. Ron noticed and quickly snatched the owl out of harm's way. 

"The letter!" Harry said. "It's from Sirius!" 

"Go on, then!" Ron said. 

"Open it!" Y/N urged. "Read it aloud!" 

"Dear Harry," he began to read. 

"I hope this finds you before you reach your aunt and uncle's. I don't know how familiar they are with Owl Post.

Buckbeak and I are in hiding, I won't say where in case this letter is intercepted...but let's say that Y/N could figure it out." 

"Huh?" Y/N said, eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "What does that mean?" Everyone in the compartment shrugged - they were no help. "Just keep reading," she grumbled. 

"This owl's cute - isn't he? I can hear Y/N and Hermione 'awe-ing,' but anyways, I'm going to let some muggles get sight of me soon, so the security on Hogwarts will be lifted.

There is something I never got around to telling you during our brief meeting - it was I who sent you the Firebolt-" 

"Hah!" Hermione exclaimed triumphantly. "I knew it, I told you so-" 

"But he hadn't jinxed it," Ron argued. "So - ouch!" he said when Y/N hit him with sparks from her wand. 

"I had Crookshanks take it to the Owl Office...used your name, but my money - vault seven hundred and eleven. Think of it as thirteen birthday's worth of presents from your godfather.

I would also like to apoligize for the fright I gave you when you ran away after blowing up your aunt. (Which, by the way, is so cool. Y/N agrees.) 

I have enclosed something in this letter that I think will make your next year at Hogwarts more enjoyable. 

If you ever need me - if any of you ever need, send an owl. It'll find me.

I'll write again soon. Bye for now, Harry, Ron, Hermione and my new best friend, Y/N, 

Sirius" 

"I'm replacing you, Herms," Y/N said playfully. "He's actually my best friend." 

Hermione sniffed, "That's fine, Trouble," she said, voice cracking. "I'll just...be friends with...Harry and Ron..." she said the last bit with disgust. 

Ron gave a squawk of protest, to which they laughed. 

Harry wasn't listening. He was eagerly digging through the envelope to find the enclosed parchment. He whipped out a piece of paper and turned it over. A broad grin spread his handsome...incredibly handsome, for that matter, face. 

"Sirius - he's my Godfather...he gave me permission for Hogsmeade!" he said excitedly. "It''ll be good enough for Dumbledore!" 

"Yeah, Harry!" they all cheered. 

Y/N caught sight of the letter. "Hey - there's a P.S..."

"I thought Ron might want to keep this owl, since it's my fault (And Remus') that he doesn't have a rat. (Mostly Remus', but I'm a nice person)." 

They all chuckled, but Ron was wide-eyed. "Keep him?" he said, bewildered.

"No, it said eat him - ah!" Y/N screamed when he threw the pack of Exploding Snap cards at her. 

To Y/N, Harry and Hermione's great surprise, he slowly stretched his arms and held the owl out for Crookshanks to sniff. "What'd'you reckon - definitely and owl?" 

Crookshanks purred. 

"It's settled!" Ron said cheerily. "I'm keeping him!" 

The rest of the journey to Kings Cross, Harry laid his head in Y/N's lap, one hand holding the letter, re-reading it, one hand intertwined with Y/N's.

Her other hand was in his hair, gently stroking it away from his face, playing with it just how he liked.

The train groaned to a stop and all the students piled out with lots of, "Excuse me!"s and, "Pardon!"s.

After fighting their way through a hoard of student's, the quartet was met with Mrs. Weasley, who hugged all of them in turn.

She showered them in compliments and invitations to the Burrow for the summer. Graciously thanking her, Y/N hurried to Remus, whom she'd spotted from the corner of her eye. 

"Come with me," she told her friends - they did. 

"Hey, kid," Remus greeted. "And you, Hermione - Harry, Ron." 

"Hi...er...Professor Lupin..." they answered awkwardly.

Remus waved a hand impatiently. "I'm not your Professor anymore. Call me Remus." 

"Call him Stupid," Y/N snickered. Remus gave her a playful glare and shoved her slightly. 

"Anyway," said Remus. "Y/N - I'm going to be talking to Mrs. Weasley for a moment. Say your goodbyes - we're leaving in a bit." 

"Yes, sir!" Y/N said, saluting to her uncle as he walked away. 

After he did, the quartet did a ridiculously complicated handshake. Had they only made it...thirty seconds ago? Yes...

Did they fail every time they tried? Also yes. 

But they were having fun. 

The quartet piled into a group hug, arms around everyone. "If you guys don't write everyday I'll find you." 

"I live near you!" 

"Shut up." 

"See you all in the summer - for the Quidditch Cup!" Ron said, pulling away after it had been a couple minutes. Hermione, too, pulled away.

"My parents are waiting," she said. "Bye, Harry," she hugged him. "Bye, Trouble," she gave Y/N a huge hug, whispering about writing. 

Ron had his arms outstretched for a hug, which Hermione accept. It was particularly long, making Harry and Y/N snicker, causing Hermione and Ron to blush. 

Hermione hurried away - Ron did his round of hugs, (Y/N messed his hair up very badly) and ran over to Mrs. Weasley. 

Y/N saw that Remus had began to speak to Mrs. Diggory, so she turned to Harry - her last goodbye. 

"Bye, Potter," she said affectionately, pulling Harry into a hug.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, his body was warm...and comfortable...he was perfect. "Bye, Sterling," he said. 

They stayed like that for Merlin knows how long. 

His hair tickled her hair, his arms were protective around her. Harry Potter, she found that day, was terrible with goodbyes. 

"I don't wanna," he whined, burying his face in the crook of her neck. 

"You'll survive," she said.

"No, I wont," he sighed dramatically. "There's no Y/N Sterling at the Dursleys. I'm gonna miss you...everything about you." 

"Yeah?" Y/N said, eyebrow raised, heart beating incredibly fast. "What about me?" 

Harry began to rock them back and forth. "Her smile...her laugh...her sarcasm..." he trailed off. 

"Anything else?" she teased. Y/N was red, and she knew it, but...this was...her stomach was all gooey and this felt...

She didn't know how to describe it. 

"Her pretty face, no - beautiful. She's beautiful, all of her," Harry said.

"What?" Y/N asked sharply. Her breath hitched. Harry was...did Harry just call her beautiful? 

"What?" Harry said, pulling away with a smirk on his face. "I dunno what I said - oh, look. Is that Remus?"

Remus, was indeed, approaching fast. "Harry Potter- what did-" 

"Aw, damn it," Harry said. "Look it's the Dursley's, I really gotta go..." he said with a wink. "See you in the summer, pretty girl." 

He gave her one last quick hug, and maybe Y/N imagined it, but the slightest peck on the cheek. Then, he turned tail and raced away. 

Harry James Potter was going to be the death of her. Her breathing was irregular, her palms were tingly and so was her stomach. 

"Harry Potter," she muttered under her breath. "You prat." 

"Ready to go?" Remus asked. His tone indicated he wanted to say something more, but was refraining. 

"Mhm," Y/N said absently. 

As they began their walk out of Kings Cross Station, Y/N knew that what happened this year wasn't the end. She knew that she would be in danger - but she didn't mind. Not when she had Harry, Ron and Hermione. Harry may be the cause of that danger, but he was also the defeating force. Harry James Potter - her best friend, and hopefully...more than that...soon.

─── ☆: *.⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ .* :☆ ───

HI GUYS SO like i wanna keep this story in y/n's pov bc...like...it's ya'll that r reading! i'll do harry's p.o.v when it's important but it's gonna be mainly y/n! 🥰

yeah i kinda feel like i should've established that earlier bc the last few chapters have js been y/n lmaoo

LAST CHAPTER OF THIRD YEAR DONNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE FOURTH YEAR HERE WE COME OMOMGOMGOMG IM SO EXCITED AWDWAUDWANDUAWHDAWIDADUNAIWUDHAWJDAWDPAOWFJWM AHDWAD

WHAT DO WE THINK POOKIES ? 🤩

I WAS GONNA POST THIS ON VALENTINES DAY BUT I HADN'T FINISHED IT AND I COULDN'T FINISH IT BECAUSE I WAS WATCHING MEAN GIRLS IN THEATRES 😭😋

RENEE RAP MAKES ME SO GAY OMGOMGOMG 😍😍😍

also this chapter is, like, VERY unedited. pls point out mistakes

okokoko as always, vote n commenntttt ily guys <3 😘

- dizzy :)