The next morning at breakfast, the three Marauders sat with Lily, talking quietly to themselves, piecing together what they learned.

"Harry is my son," James said. "That's about all I got."

Lily rolled her eyes. "I saw a Daily Prophet story on in the dorm last night. Says he is lying about You-Know-Who returning."

"Are you calling my son a liar?" James challenged.

"Honestly, Potter," she huffed. "It's simply an observation. Besides, everyone knows the prophet is rubbish."

"Voldemort was defeated?" Sirius asked in between shoveling food into his mouth.

"Yes, well according to Harry, he returned," Remus added, not looking Sirius in the eyes for more than a few moments. How could he? The two have a kid together!

"There's gotta be more-" Lily was cut off by the arrival of two students.

One had bushy brown hair and dark eyes and the other was a lanky ginger.

"You must be the transfers Nova told me about," she said sitting next to Lily. "I am Hermione Granger and this is Ron Weasley."

The ginger, Ron, waved before piling food onto his plate.

"What year are you guys?" Ron asked through his food, which earned him a look from Hermione.

"Fifth years," James replied gloomily. None of them were particularly thrilled about Dumbledore putting them back a year, but they all knew it was temporary.

"I here ya, mate," Ron chuckled. "O. W. L. year. Bloody Hell! Hey, 'Mione you remember when our biggest concern was Fluffy?"

Hermione seemed to find it amusing and laughed. Before Sirius could ask what they meant, the entire Great Hall went quiet. Their attention turned towards the doors as two students walked in.

Harry and Nova walked in. Whether they were oblivious to the silence or didn't care, they didn't even acknowledge it. The two were simply laughing at something that Nova had said. Unlike the night before, they both wore the correct uniform.

As they sat down, the Great Hall turned back to their prior conversations, but Lily heard Nova and Harry's names bouncing around.

"What took so long?" Ron asked, raising a suggestive brow.

"Get your head out of the gutter, Ronald," Nova said, cutting her pancakes. "I had to show Harry something and we ran into Peeves."

"Was it your human anatomy?" Ron smirked. Harry turned bright red, and Hermione sniggered.

Sirius shot James an accusatory glare.

Nova threw a pancake, hitting him in the face.

"Alright! Eesh!" Ron said as he pulled the pancake off his face. "Now I syrup all over my face!"

"It's still edible," Nova shrugged. "Maybe have Hermione lick it off."

Sirius barked in laughter and James' lips quirked up in a smirk.

"How did I get dragged into this?" Hermione began turning a bright red.

"D'you know what you want to do after Hogwarts?" Harry asked, changing the conversation.

"Not really," said Ron slowly. "Except . . . well . . ."

He looked rather sheepish.

"What?" Harry urged him.

"Well, it'd be cool to be an Auror," said Ron in an offhand voice.

"Yeah, it would," said Harry fervently as James agreed. It was Lily agreement with the two that threw the older Potter off. It had never occured to him that she would be interested in something like that.

"But they're, like, the elite," said Ron. "You've got to be really good."

"What's your point, Ron?" Nova asked, raising a brow. "You'd make a really good Auror."

"Right-er-thanks," Ron stammered turning bright red."What about you, Hermione?"

"I don't know," said Hermione. "I think I'd really like to do something worthwhile."

"An Auror's worthwhile!" said Harry.

"Yes, it is, but it's not the only worthwhile thing," said Hermione thoughtfully. "I mean, if I could take S.P.E.W. further . . ."

Lily had opened her mouth to ask what S. P. E. W. meant, but Ron shook his head.

"I personally wouldn't mind becoming a chaser for a while," Nova pondered. "Then after a few years, I'd become an Auror. Who knows, maybe I'll become Head Auror, breaking gender norms."

"You play Quidditch?" James asked excitedly, looking like a little kid on Christmas when he did.

"She's the best chaser at Hogwarts," Harry answered for her, taking a sip from his goblet.

"Says you," Nova rolled her eyes. "You've been a seeker since first year."

Sirius' eyes basically fell from his head and James looked proud.

"First year!" Sirius asked in awe.

"It's not that big of a deal," Harry said sheepishly, which was a surprise to Lily seeing as his father was the more arrogant git she has ever met.

Before anyone could counter his argument, something exploded from the teachers' table.

Lily shot an accusing glare at her boys, while Hermione looked at two ginger twins and Nova. The twins held up their hands in surrender, saying they hadn't done it.

"Ease up, Flower," Sirius grinned. "We just got here. That's not nearly enough time for us to do something."

"Miss Lupin-Black," One of the teachers growled from the table.

"That would be my que," Nova smirked before jumping up and leaving the Great Hall before she could technically be punished.

The teacher that had been the victim to Nova's prank stormed up to Harry. He had a large hooked nose, but other than that, his features were hard to make out due to the powder that covered him.

"Potter," he hissed, causing James to turn to him, but the professor's attention was on Harry. "We is Miss Lupin-Black."

"I haven't the foggiest," Harry turned to face him.

"Don't lie, Potter." 

"I don't lie, Professor," Harry looked up at him innocently. "I don't know where she is."

"Why you insufferable-" Severus Snape hissed. "Just like your fathers. Always neglecting the rules."

"Who is to say we are responsible for your current mess?" Harry raised a brow, taking a swig of his goblet.

Even under all of the powder, Ron could see Snape's face turning purple.

"Miss Lupin-Black just lost your house 20 points, and for your cheek, Mr. Potter," he drawled. "another 15."

With that he stormed away, his cloak billowing behind him.

"Merlin, Harry!" Sirius barked in laughter. "I thought he was going to eat you alive for a second."

"How dare he just accuse you of that," Lily huffed. "Granted it was Nova, but he can't just make those assumptions."

"Snape has a point," Ron shrugged. "If its not Nova, its my brothers."

"Snape?" Remus asked, raising a brow.

"Severus Snape," Hermione clarified darkly, clearly not liking the man. "He is our potions professor. He has had it out for Harry and Nova since first year."

"Didn't like our dads much," Harry shrugged.

Lily shot a look at her boys again.

***

Lily sat next to Remus while James and Sirius sat behind them as they waited for Professor Umbridge to enter their DADA class. 

As Nova, Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the classroom, Sirius elbowed James.

"I can't believe your son is dating my daughter!"

"They aren't dating," Remus countered, leaning back in his chair to talk to them. "I heard some of the guys talking about it. Many fancy her, wanna ask her to Hogsmeade and everything."

"Who?" Sirius demanded standing up.

"Sit down, Sirius!" Remus ordered.

"But-"

Before Sirius could finish his protest, when their professor dressed in all pink moved to address the classroom.

"Well, good afternoon!" she said when finally the whole class had sat down.

There was a mumble of Goodmorning" from the class. This appeared to not have satisfied the Ministry hag for she asked corrected them.

"Tut, tut," said Professor Umbridge. "That won't do, now, will it? I should like you, please, to reply 'Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge.' One more time, please. Good afternoon, class!"

"Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge," they chanted back at her.

"There, now," said Professor Umbridge sweetly. "That wasn't too difficult, was it? Wands away and quills out, please."

Everyone exchanged gloomy looks at the thought of a lecture.

Umbridge pulled her own (rather short) wand from a pink handbag. She tapped her wand to the chalkboard, causing words to magically write themselves.

Defense Against the Dark Arts

A Return to Basic Principles.

Remus looked at Lily with furrowed brows. What the bloody hell was going on in this time?

"Well now, your teaching in this subject has been rather disrupted and fragmented, hasn't it?" stated Professor Umbridge, turning to face the class with her hands clasped neatly in front of her. "The constant changing of teachers, many of whom do not seem to have followed any Ministry-approved curriculum, has unfortunately resulted in your being far below the standard we would expect to see in your O.W.L. year."

"You will be pleased to know, however, that these problems are now to be rectified. We will be following a carefully structured, theory centered, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic this year. Copy down the following, please."

With another tap of her wand, the words upon the board changed.

Course aims:

1.Understanding the principles underlying defensive magic.

2.Learning to recognize situations in which defensive magic can legally be used.

3.Placing the use of defensive magic in a context for practical use.

"Has everybody got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?" Umbridge's voice rang out into the classroom.

There was a murmur of responses. This, of course, did not please the pink puffball.

"I think we'll try that again," said Professor Umbridge. "When I ask you a question, I should like you to reply 'Yes, Professor Umbridge,' or 'No, Professor Umbridge.' So, has everyone got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"

"Yes, Professor Umbridge," rang through the room.

"Good," said Professor Umbridge. "I should like you to turn to page five and read chapter one, 'Basics for Beginners.' There will be no need to talk."

Lily and Remus reluctantly got out their books, preparing to read. Remus got sight of James and Sirius doing the same.

He noticed that Nova hadn't moved a muscle. 

To his surprise he also noticed Hermione not reading. However, unlike his daughter, she at least placed the book on her desk. He watched as she raised her hand in the air.

"Miss Black," Umbridge's high pitched voice came. "Feet off the desk. Why aren't you reading?"

"Professor Umbridge, it would appear Hermione and I have already read the book several times over the summer," Nova replied in a calm and sweet voice.

"Feet off the desk, Miss Black," Umbridge said, her sickly sweet voice shaking slightly. "And reread the book."

"That seems counterproductive," Nova shrugged. Hermione's hand was still in the air. "If I have already read the textbook, why should I reread it unless there is work assigned to it." Nova paused, taking her feet off the desk. "It's Lupin-Black, and I have a small tip."

"What is your suggestion?" the professor asked.

"My Pa, a very capable teacher, always called upon a student when they had a question instead of starring straight through them," Nova said innocently. "Seeing as the student next to me has their hand raised, she might have a question that the rest of the class would also like to know."

Her Pa? Remus knew it wasn't Sirius, he would be caught dead before he ever taught. That meant he was a professor. A part of his has always wanted that, but he knew with his condition he could never be.

But apparently he had been.

Umbridge turned to Hermione, beckoning her to speak.

"I've got a query about your course aims," said Hermione.

Professor Umbridge raised her eyebrows."And your name is — ?"

"Hermione Granger," said Hermione.

"Well, Miss Granger, I think the course aims are perfectly clear if you read them through carefully," said Professor Umbridge in a voice of determined sweetness.

"Well, I don't," said Hermione bluntly. "There's nothing written up there about using defensive spells."

"Using defensive spells?" Professor Umbridge repeated with a little laugh. "Why, I can't imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell, Miss Granger. You surely aren't expecting to be attacked during class?"

Lily heard James scoff.

"We're not going to use magic?" Ron asked rather loudly, making sure Umbridge heard him.

"Students raise their hands when they wish to speak in my class, Mr. — ?"

"Weasley," said Ron, thrusting his hand into the air.

"You will not be using defensive spells in my class," Umbridge repeated.

"Then why the bloody hell are we even in this class?" Nova exclaimed. "I may need to brush up on my vocabulary skills but I specifically remember the course name being 'Defense Against the Dark Arts'. It is to my understanding 'Dark Arts' referred to magical curses. How are we supposed to defend ourselves against curses if we are to use magic? Throwing a bloody rock at the evil-doers?"

"Miss Black," Umbridge repeated. "Please read your textbook."

"It's Lupin-Black," Nova corrected. "But since you asked nicely, I'll do as instructed."

Nova did not read the book. She simply glared at Umbridge.

The rest of the class seemingly abandoned their books.

Remus noted her outward disregard of instructions. He noted that came from Sirius, as he himself preferred to do so but quietly.

Both Harry and Hermione raised their hands. Umbridge's eyes lingered on Harry before turning to Hermione.

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

"As Nova said, surely the whole point of Defense Against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?" Hermione inquired.

"Are you a Ministry-trained educational expert, Miss Granger?" asked Professor Umbridge in her falsely sweet voice.

"Are you?" Nova asked loudly but was ignored.

Sirius snorted and James elbowed him.

"No, but —"

"Well then, I'm afraid you are not qualified to decide what the 'whole point' of any class is. Wizards much older and cleverer than you have devised our new program of study. You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way —"

"What use is that?" said Harry loudly. "If we're going to be attacked it won't be in a —"

"Hand, Mr. Potter!" sang Professor Umbridge.

Harry thrust his fist in the air. Professor Umbridge promptly turned away from him again, but now several other people had their hands up too.

"And your name is?" Professor Umbridge said to Dean.

"Dean Thomas."

"Well, Mr. Thomas?"

"Well, it's like Harry said, isn't it?" said Dean. "If we're going to be attacked, it won't be risk-free —"

"I repeat," said Professor Umbridge, smiling in a very irritating fashion at Dean, "do you expect to be attacked during my classes?"

"No, but —"

"I dunno, sir," Nova began sassily. "First year, Mr. Turban Man had a man on the back of his fucking skull. Second year, we had a fraud as a teacher that tried to erase the memories of three students within this classroom. Fourth year, we had a bloody Death Eater as a teacher. I say the chances are likely."

The time travelers all shared confused and concerned glances.

Professor Umbridge talked over them.

"I do not wish to criticize the way things have been run in this school," she said, an unconvincing smile stretching her wide mouth, "but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class, very irresponsible indeed — not to mention," she gave a nasty little laugh, "extremely dangerous half-breeds."

"You fucking bitch!" James seethed quietly. Besides him, Sirius was shaking with silent rage. Lily looked at Remus, who looked like he had just been stabbed.

Nova stood up, clamming her hand on the table. Anger radiated off of her in waves. Many were rather startled by her action.

"If you mean Professor Lupin," piped up Dean Thomas angrily, "he was the best we ever —"

Remus looked up shocked. He felt his heart grow just a tiny bit.

"Hand, Mr. Thomas! Sit down, Miss Black! As I was saying — you have been introduced to spells that have been complex, inappropriate to your age group, and potentially lethal. You have been frightened into believing that you are likely to meet Dark attacks every other day —"

"No we haven't," Hermione said, "we just —"

"Your hand is not up, Miss Granger!"

Hermione put up her hand; Professor Umbridge turned away from her.

"It is my understanding that my predecessor not only performed illegal curses in front of you, he actually performed them on you —"

"Well, he turned out to be a maniac, didn't he?" said Dean Thomas hotly. "Mind you, we still learned loads —"

"Your hand is not up, Mr. Thomas!" trilled Professor Umbridge."Now, it is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be more than sufficient to get you through your examination, which, after all, is what school is all about. And your name is?" she added, staring at Parvati, whose hand had just shot up.

"Parvati Patil, and isn't there a practical bit in our Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.? Aren't we supposed to show that we can actually do the countercurses and things?"

"As long as you have studied the theory hard enough, there is no reason why you should not be able to perform the spells under carefully controlled examination conditions," said Professor Umbridge dismissively.

"Without ever practicing them before?" said Parvati incredulously."Are you telling us that the first time we'll get to do the spells will be during our exam?"

"I repeat, as long as you have studied the theory hard enough —"

"And what good's theory going to be in the real world?" said Harry loudly, his fist in the air again. Professor Umbridge looked up.

"This is school, Mr. Potter, not the real world," she said softly. "So we're not supposed to be prepared for what's waiting out there?"

"That's bullshit!" Lily remarked just loud enough for the Marauders to hear. Which earned her shocked looks from James and Sirius.

She gave him a sickly smile.

"There is nothing waiting out there, Mr. Potter."

"Dementors. Dark Wizards. Rapists. Pedophiles. Psychopaths." Nova began to list off. Everyone turned to her. "Pure-blood supremacists. Dictators. Sociopaths. Child abusers. Serial Killers. Bears. Pythons. Lions. Racists. Homophobics. Transphobics. You. There are a ton of things out there. You cannot guarantee the safety of everyone. It's best to educate and allow students to practice magic in a school of . . .I dunno . . .Magic!"

"She's got a point," Sirius remarked, loud enough for every to hear.

Umbridge chose to ignore them.

"Oh yeah?" said Harry.

"Who do you imagine wants to attack children like yourselves?" inquired Professor Umbridge in a horribly honeyed voice.

"Hmm, let's think . . ." said Harry in a mock thoughtful voice, "maybe Lord Voldemort?"

Ron gasped; Lavender Brown uttered a little scream; Neville slipped sideways off his stool. Professor Umbridge, however, did not flinch. She was staring at Harry with a grimly satisfied expression on her face.

"Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter."

Everyone's eyes were either on Harry or Umbridge.

"Now, let me make a few things quite plain." she continued "You have been told that a certain Dark wizard has returned from the dead —"

"He wasn't dead," said Harry angrily, "but yeah, he's returned!"

"Mr.-Potter-you-have-already-lost-your-House-ten-points-do-not-make-matters-worse-for-yourself," said Professor Umbridge in one breath without looking at him. "As I was saying, you have been informed that a certain Dark wizard is at large once again. This is a lie."

"It is NOT a lie!" said Harry. "I saw him, I fought him! Nova nearly died! He nearly killed her too!"

Remus and Lily shared a look: this was not going to end well.

"Detention, Mr. Potter!" said Professor Umbridge triumphantly."Tomorrow evening. Five o'clock. My office. I repeat, this is a lie. the Ministry of Magic guarantees that you are not in danger from any dark wizard. If you are still worried, by all means, come and see me outside class hours. If someone is alarming you with fibs about rebornDark wizards, I would like to hear about it. I am here to help. I am your friend. And now, you will kindly continue your reading. Page five, 'Basics for Beginners.' "

Professor Umbridge sat down behind her desk again. Harry, however, stood up. Everyone was staring at him.

"Harry, no!" Hermione whispered in a warning voice, tugging at his sleeve, but Harry jerked his arm out of her reach.

"So, according to you, Cedric Diggory dropped dead of his own accord, did he?" Harry asked, his voice shaking.

There was an intake of breath from everyone in the room. No one ever spoke of the night Cedric died. Nova's heart clenched at the thought.

"Cedric Diggory's death was a tragic accident," she said coldly.

"So it was similar to your birth?" Nova asked.

James and Sirius tried their hardest to hold in their laughter.

Umbridge's spun around to face her.

"Miss Black-"

"Lupin-Black!" Nova hissed. "His death was not just a tragic accident! He was murdered!"

Nova was fuming.

"Let me tell you a little story, Umbitch," Nova growled. "That night I was in the maze, I was attacked by a man I idolized, Mad-Eye Moody. Come to find out, it wasn't even him. I was transported to a graveyard. A servant of Voldemort came and gave me a paralytic. I couldn't move. I was stuck on the cold ground. Hopeless and alone. When Harry and Ced appeared, I couldn't warn them, to run because my lips would not move."

Remus wondered what maze she was talking about.

"MISS BLACK!"

"LUPIN-BLACK!" Nova yelled. "They had their wands ready. A cold hard voice hissed words I will never forget, 'Kill the spare'. The servant killed Cedric. I heard his body hit the ground!"

"MISS BLACK!"

"NO!" Nova yelled. The class was shocked as tears began to form in her eyes. Many began to question what the profit was saying. "Then, Voldemort came back! He nearly killed me! He used the cruciatus curse on Harry! Barty Crouch Junior, who had been posing as Mad-Eye through polyjuice potion, confessed. He said Voldemort was back in front of three grown arse and reliable adults! What did the Minister do?"

"Do not speak of him like that!"

"He doesn't want to shag you! Move the fuck on!" Nova yelled. "The Minister, without consideration, gave him the Dementor's kiss, rendering him unable to answer questions! Even then, he refused to ask the three adults that were there when Crouch confessed under Veriserum!"

"Miss Black!"

"Lupin-Black!" Nova growled dangerously. "THEN! All you people do is cover things up! There is nothing but mistakes at the Ministry! My sperm donor, Sirius Black, has yet to be caught! But let's not worry about that! Let's worry about trashing two fifteen-year-olds! Let's make them feel like they're worthless!"

The time travelers all shot looks at Sirius in confusion, who just shrugged. Lucky, no one noticed as they were all focused on Nova.

"Spawn of half breeds are worthless vermin!" Umbridge hissed.

There was a collective gasp of shock around the room.

Remus was fuming, as was, well everyone.

"Do not talk to her that way!" Lily shouted, standing up. This earned her looks of pride from her boys.

"Then I'm vermin!" Nova growled, bringing the attention back to herself. "But my Pa will always be twice the human you will ever be! Even on the nights he transforms, which mind you, is not his fault. He didn't ask to be bitten at the age of four!"

"Miss Black-"

"Lupin-Black."

"You have just lost your house fifty-five points, and detention with me tonight at seven o'clock!" Umbridge screeched.

Nova said nothing and stormed from the room. She slammed the door so hard, the walls shook. It wasn't long until Harry was sent from the room with her.

"We have a lot to catch up on," Lily spoke, her voice still shaking with rage.

"Guess it's a good thing Poppy cured you over you allergies, huh, Padfoot," Remus smirked before grabbing his hand and dragging him to the library, James and Lily not far behind.