Chapter VIII - Go Potter Go

All the students were gathered around their new teacher, who was full of surprises. "Allright guys, I'll pair you up so I can teach you a few things about standard one on one attacks, the muggle way", she said this last thing smiling towards Draco, whom was quite upset.

"So Miss, why should we learn muggle fighting? We ARE wizards, we perform Duels", Draco said this last part showing off this Wizard pride. "Yeah, well, no one will expect you to right hook someone, it gives you an edge Malfoy" and she winked at him. "Ok, you team up with Potter, I'm sure you won't have a problem practising this".

She kept on pairing them up, even Neville who was definetly stressed out. Hermione got better at the right hook thing when she started remembing that Parvati kept on talking to her Ron. Maggie even had to break them up. After a while, Neville fell over his arm and she walked towards him, pretty much everyone stopped with the hitting except for Draco and Harry.

Maggie got Neville's arm between her hands and they all saw blueish light coming back and forth from them. After a few minutes Neville's arm was feeling better than ever and they were all intrigued about how she managed to do that.

"Oh, well, my mother taught me, I'll teach you one day, is quite simple. You just have to ground and direct energy" and she realized they were all smiling at her, stunned. She realized she was teaching them something they could use and she felt powerful and wanted somewhere. Even Hermione smiled at her.

Maggie's smile didn't last long though.

"BREAK IT UP NOW!" Harry and Draco were all mixed up with mud, blood and right hooks, you couldn't tell where the Slytherin ended and the Gryffindor began. Maggie got quite upset and tried to split them up but Draco pushed her down to the mud as well. Neville rushed towards her and directed her wand towards his friend and his foe, casting a freezing spell over them. Then he helped her up.

"Thanks Neville. You two are getting detention. In 5 minutes the spell is going to wash away and you are gonna BREAK IT UP" (she said this screaming in Draco's ear) and you are gonna go with me to the Hospital Wing while all of you guys are going back to the classroom, and please, pick up the subjects you'd rather see first. Neville, please lead them back". Neville smiled and Hermione and the rest followed (the Slytherins followed reluctantly).

The spell washed away and they got up slowly. Harry had a cut above his eye but she couldn't heal him. Her energy was drained. "I can't heal you, darn" She started walking behind them while Draco started cursing slowly. "If you keep saying those things, you'll spend the rest of your weekends in detention Malfoy. You should both be ashamed of yourselves".

She walked away, still close from them. Harry needed a drink.

***

"Magdaline! Gosh! Fist fighting? In the Quidditch court? What were you thinking?" Minerva was yelling at her like mad while Maggie slided in the chair with guilt. "Minerva is right Maggie, you were supposed to teach them about fake vampires, instead you did whatever you wanted! This is Unacceptable". That did it.

"Too bad Albus. I was supposed to be a Student!! You brought me here under false pretenses and now you expect me to do as YOU say? Think again". She got up. She could feel her energy rising around her and inside of her. For a moment she was afraid of what her bad temper could do. "Look, ok, I screwed up, teaming up Harry and Malfoy was not a good idea". Albus looked at her through her spectacles. "Picking up on Malfoy is not a good idea either, his father might be coming any minute".

Maggie couldn't believe Albus was afraid of Malfoy senior, and neither could Minerva.

"Well, I'd love to meet him". Silence filled the room. "I'll try to stick to the program and I will not teach them anything "harmful" without Minerva's consent, agreed?" They shaked hands. When she was at the door, she turned around "By the way, don't EVER send Snape to help me again".

***

Maggie was on the phone with Remus telling him all about her first day as a teacher, how sweet Neville was and how Hermione suspected her. It was pretty obvious that Maggie was hiding something, and that Hermione couldn't wait to figure it out. Also, she mentioned Potter. "Harry had a cut in his face and I couldn't heal him. And then I could feel energy rising when I got upset, I dunno". Lupin cleared his throat with a little cough, the moon had just changed from full and he was still weak. "Maggie, you are as powerful as your mother if not more and remember than later this year some of your gifts will part to your brother, is only natural that things change. Besides, I think being close to Harry is doing something to you. You like him, admit it". He was laughing inside, his little girl in love with no other than Harry.

Maggie was speechless. She couldn't answer and turned red, as if Lupin was next to her. "Maggie, are you still there?". She was, and yes, she liked Potter, but she wasn't allowed to like him, at least not like this. Someone knocked at the door "Look Remus, I gotta go, someone's at the door, take care, miss ya". She hanged up before Remus could tell her "I miss you too little lady".

Harry was at the door. "Afternoon Miss, Professor McGonagall told me I should come to see you since I'll be starting the Auror Training". He was cold and she could see he was slightly drunk. "Allright, come right in". She closed the door and put the phone back on top of the fireplace.

Harry sat down in a sofa that was next to it and looked around. It seemed nothing like Hogwarts. It was a small flat, very muggle like. The only witch element he could see was a wand, in a long black box. He picked it up "I take your wand found you, even if you don't like them". She put it away and looked right into his eyes. "Look Harry, I owe you an explanation, so, here's the thing-" He made her hush and mention he was just there for the tutoring, that he didn't need nor want any explanations. He was still cold.

"Ok I guess, so... tutoring. Give me your whisky, I want you sober". He looked confused and on denial, but had to give her the little bottle eventually. "This stupid thing can kill you Harry. Come this way". She led him through a door to another little room, with a wall full of books and a lot of space. She served him a coffee, dark with no sugar. "Bottom's up". They drank coffee and then she started asking him why he wanted to be an Auror. His answer, rather reluctant, was "why not?" She asked for an honest answer, but he couldn't give her one.

He was getting sober, and the Quartz stone lighter. He knew it was her who made it lighter. She made his life a lot easier to live in. He found himself looking at her eyes thinking this things and he couldn't really know why he felt so many things towards her. He didn't really know her, he just knew she lied to him, yet, he felt there was more to it. A part of him knew what she was about and couldn't help falling for her.

They stayed talking for a few hours until dinner time, when Ron came to her doorstep, worried sick about his friend. "Yes Ron don't worry, he's here." She looked at Ron, and though she dislike him for some reason (her first impressions were always right) she couldn't help seeing Charlie Weasley in him. "You are so much like your brother Charlie, Ron" and she walked away smiling.

Hermione heard that too. She had another clue.

Chapter VII - First Class

Hermione was rather distubed after the full report on the new teacher. Both Ron and her decided to do some research and not say a word about it to Harry.

They were drifting apart. Harry was absorbed in his own thoughts, was dizzy or sleepy most of the time and just sat in the common room or wonder around, not caring much about the classes coming up, or the quidditch games or his future outside the school.

None of them could wait to the new Defense Against the Dark Arts, who wouldnt take place until that afternoon. 5 full hours of Defense. Even Draco was intrigued. He kept mentioning outloud that his dad couldn't believe what a Salem teen witch could teach his son. Still, he wondered whether she'd use a mini skirt to class.

She didn't. Every male student turned their eyes to the door when she came in. Harry's face lightened up: she was wearing his tie as a belt. She looked pretty muggle like. Jeans, normal t-shirt, glasses. He couldn't help smiling when he saw his tie over her hips, at the same time Minerva and Dumbledore wanted to kill her.

Albus was suddenly turning red.

She sat at the table, next to Minerva as usual. She had a bandage on her arm. "Attention please" Minerva's voice filled in the room. Dumbledore got up and announced a minor change in the houses' co-heads.

"We've decided the best way to decide the co-heads that will suit better for each house was by using the Sorting Hat. Last night out co-heads tried on the Hat and some changes occured. Prof. Sprout will be the co-head of Hupplepuff, while Hagrid will be the co-head of Ravenclaw, Miss Mooney Penny will be in Slytherin and Prof. Matthews will be a Gryffindor. Now, do go on with lunch". He sat back down. Snape wasnt pleased at all and it was showing, but he wouldn't say anything.

Minerva however, wouldn't shut up. "May I ask when this "sorting" took place Albus?" Marie smiled at her and she smiled back "Not that I'm not pleased of course, having little Marie with me, no offense...". Prof. Sprout smiled at her from behind her huge hat "Non taken, I thought it was quite funny seeing Hagrid wearing the hat. Though darling, when did you got sorted?".

Marie was speechless. Think something fast, anything at all she thought. "Errr, last night, really late, I was reading school reports and Dumbledore paged me and well, got a tie!!". She waved the tie in a funny way.

They were all rejoicing with the new co-heads, all but Snape and Hermione, who couldn't stop staring at her. "I can't believe she pulled that off, you see what she's doing? They are all under a curse or something!".

Harry was more than please to annoy her with the news. He whispered to his friend "Look at the bright side, you get to work with her, you'll find out if she's as bad as you think she is". He kept on smiling until the class started.

***


When they entered the classroom, it was hard to recognise it. Prof. Matthews was writing words on the blackboard, using a chock and there was no ink on the desks. Instead, normal muggle pens and a handbook for each student, with either the gold lion or the silver snake on the front. Harry sat on the front desk with Neville, and next to them Ron and Hermione.

"What is this? Muggle things? This is Hogwarts!" Those were Draco's first words directed to his new teacher. Marie turned around and took of her glasses placed them on her desk, next to the chock. "Good morning to you too Malfoy. Now, if you please, SIT". Her expression changed, they all suddenly hushed. Harry tried to look at her eyes, but she would avoid eye contact. Of course she would, she is a teacher Harry thought. Harry felt cold inside, he had the quartz stone that she gave him around his neck, it felt heavier every day, but it was warmer at different times, like when he felt like drinking.

The teacher got up and started talking, walking around. "Hi, well, as you probably know by now I'm your new professor, my name is Marie Matthews and I'll be teaching you guys pretty much everything I know". Hermione raised her hand. "One minute and I'll let you talk allright?" and she winked at Hermione, who was pretty upset by that sign of sisterhood from the new professor. Harry giggled when he saw Hermione's disgusted face. He was amused by how obsessive his best friend could get.

"Well, this class is different from what you've seen before. To start, we dont use quills, nor ink here, you are 21st century wizards and WILL have to get along with muggles, at one point or the other, so, you better get acquinted with their stuff, hence the pen and handbook".

Draco was cursing slowly "Wanna share that with the rest of us Malfoy?" Draco gave her a piercing look. In these seven years Draco hadnt learnt quite yet that he wasn't his father and that Lucius couldn't save him from his own lack of sense.

"I think this whole thing is stupid! Why do we have to learn about muggles? It's stupid, we're pure bloods, we'll work at the Ministry-" Marie cut in "But right now you're at Hogwarts, in MY class, and these are Dumbledore's orders, if you DONT like it, that's your problem. Anything else?" Draco was speechless. He'd normally get a different sort of response towards his inquiries.

"So, as I was saying, this is Defense against the dark arts & we're gonna get in touch with normal muggle things, many of you that come from muggle families or who took muggle studies are gonna know some of this things, plus I'll try to teach you to apply what you've learnt so far and what I've learnt all these years. And there's one more thing". She looked right into Hermione's eyes and then looked away.

"Some of you might not like these 2 things I'm gonna say, but here they go: First, you won't know when the practical midterms will take place and the second one is we won't be using books nor wands in this class". She turned around and went towards the blackboard. She could hear them whispering around. Finally, Hermione spoke even though she wasnt authorized.

"Excuse me, Prof. Matthews, but I think that's farfetched. We HAVE to have supporting books! And know when the tests are gonna be, it's always been like that!". She was up and Ron was trying to make her sit down and hush but couldn't accomplish it.

"You are right Miss Granger, It's been like that forever, but Hogwarts is changing. Things are not the same. Though most of the threats are gone thanks to Mr. Potter here and all of you, there is still evil out there. It is my duty to teach you to apply the knowledge you've adquired in these last 6 years. You won't be able to grab a book when a shapeshifter comes your way, you'll have to think fast. I am aware that you're capable of it and you won't have any problems regarding that". She sat down and so did Hermione.

She did read the reports allright, plus Remus had told her everything about Hermione and Ron and Neville and Harry.

"Now, about the wands, you can use them if you want to, but there're other ways to perform magick, and no wands are needed. I'm gonna teach you those things". She smiled a tender smile towards Neville, who was shaking a little bit. He had improved, figured out the auror he had within but still he needed some reinforcement.

Marie started the class. She started explaining how it was gonna be, the different topics they'll go through and how she'll surprised them with the midterms. She also told them to copy the list of topic she wrote down in the blackboard. That's when the first question came out, from a Gryffindor of course.

"Excuse me Prof Matthews"- "Sure, hun, what is it?" He looked down embarrased. "You'll see, I've never been around muggles, How exactly do we use this?" He was holding the pen upside down. Draco laughed at him, saying how dumb he was for not knowing how to use it. Marie picked it up and felt as if it was a personal insult. "Now, Malfoy, if you're so smart, why dont you explain him how to use it? Come on, get here."

Draco looked at her in rage. He wouldn't get up. "I said get up and explain Malfoy" He still wouldnt get up and was even redder than before. "Allright, 20 points from Slytherin. Hermione, would you be so kind to explain?" and she smiled at her and kept writing down some notes. "Why should I explain? You're the teacher".

Marie looked at her over her glasses, in a very Dumbledore-like way. "Allright Hermione, sit down. Seamus, would you do me the honours?" Seamus explained to the class how to use the muggle pen. Gryffindors were excited and Slytherins were in rage.

It was pretty clear for Harry that Marie had a fixation on Malfoy. She was doing to him the same thing Severus did to Neville. He felt things were getting even, though he missed her, missed the idea, the hope of knowing her. He remembered how good he felt the first time he saw her smile and how much she seemed to know him.

"So, well guys, get up, we're going out". She smiled all excited. "You can put away your wands if you'd like, we won't need them". Just a few of them save them, the rest were holding them still. She turned around "I forgot something else guys, those of you who dont feel that comfortable with their knowledge and those in auror training can ask for personal tutoring, all you gotta to do is tell your house Head or Co-Head and they'll approve". Neville felt relief.

They were coming out of the classroom. Marie looked like one more of them, Harry wanted to say something, just a word, anything at all. But words failed him.

Nobody knew where they were heading to, but they got a hint when they bumped into Severus at the stairs "Hello Marie, Dumbledore sent me to help you with the Fake Vampires" and smiled. He was more creepy smiling than just having his usual abusive attitude. "Oh, well, help me, you're ten years too late. Come on class, this way, change of plans"

Marie was upset but wouldnt show it, still, somehow, Harry knew she was. Her eyes had a shadow casted over them. Finally, he decided to talk "Excuse me professor, are you allright?" Marie smiled at him "Been better, you can call me Marie, Harry" and she kept walking.

Harry & Hermione, for different reasons started wondering what Marie had meant with "you're ten years too late". Hermione had a place to start her search. Harry was more puzzled than ever. He just needed a quick drink.

Chapter VI - Switching Sides

Albus looked upset about Maggie obviously hanging out with Harry. He got up from the Teacher's Table and approached them in the middle of the Great Hall.

With a peering look, he asked them to follow him & they left, leaving everyone worried. The Headmaster, along with the new young teacher (which was bleeding from her arm) & the world known trouble maker Potter were leaving in the middle of the Sorting Ceremony.

They arrived to Dumbledore's office and Maggie explained the situation, while falling in a chair next to Harry. She sounded like a cop reporting a crime scene: "The sucubus was around 7ft tall, Harry tried a Crutio on him though I told him not to and -" Harry cut in "Well Miss, you weren't really doing anything, I had to do something". "Well, you didn't have to get in the way, lemme remain you you passed out right after that", Harry got upset "you passed out right after me & if it wasn't for me You will be in a comma!". Dumbledore knew that wasn't gonna end up in a good way.

"Allright, Enough both of you!" They shut up and stared at him. "Marie you could use some help sometimes and Harry, not all the problems in the school always require your help. Now, please take Prof. Matthews to the Hospital Wing since she doesn't know her way around yet".

They got up silently and when they were at the door, Maggie turned around and added "Something else was there, a succubus attacks you in other planes, I shouldn't be hurt" She looked at Harry, but suddenly it didn't seemed right to tell Dumbledore about Wormtail. It could have been just a bad dream.

They walked out and Dumbledore started pressing his forehead, it hurt, it always hurt.

***

They were silent all the way to the Hospital Wing, and avoided eye contact. "Well, here we are Professor, I should be heading back to my House". Maggie smiled at him shily "I'm sorry Harry, one day I'll be able to explain. Here" she was handing over his tie, but she realized it was soaked with her blood. "I'll wash it and return it to you as soon as I can". Harry giggled, he was holding her stone in his pocket. "No need to Miss, keep it as a souvenir of the first demon you faced at Hogwarts". And he took off.

"One day I'll tell you Harry, one day"... she whispered that while walking into the Hospital Wing.

***

When she got to her assigned room, more bad surprises where ahead. A letter was there, this time written by Albus telling her she had been assigned to Slytherin as its co-head. And that meant being close from the man she hated the most in this world.

She rushed (once again) to Dumbledore's chamber. She came in without knocking. Minerva left with a bowl filled with water, but Maggie didn't notice it, she was way too upset.

"No, no and NO Uncle A, this is way too much, I can't take it. You want me to teach them, okay, whatever, I have no choice, you promised I'll take those NEWTs anyway, fine. But THIS, NO! There's NO WAY I'll be with That guy, you hear? That's final."

Albus tried to talked her into it, but she was determined. "I was meant to be sorted, I was meant to be a 7th year and you just crushed all that for me 10 days ago" she started crying slowly, but tried not to. "I'll be a Gryffindor like my mother, I refuse to join the Slytherins, even as their co-head, FIX IT" and she walked out before she'd start crying for real.

***

"They've posted the time tables, Harry, Defense won't start until tomorrow, wonder how she'll manage with those many courses." Harry didn't really cared how she'll manage really. He was sitting next to the fire (which was off, it wasn't autumn yet), staring at the ashes, zipping from a small glass and staring to his quartz stone from time to time.

"She lied, why would she lie? And why wasn't she at the Teacher's Table this morning?" Hermione told him she saw her this morning at the Heads Meeting and she wasn't pleased at all with being assigned to Slytherin. "She seemed to hate him like we do Harry, there's definetly something wrong with her".

Harry got up and gave her a peering look, the same kind of look he gave her the day before. "Ron, let's go to see Hagrid, he's gonna tell us something". And they walked out, not even looking at the Time Table or Hermione.

***

"Well mates, you cannot stay here for long, remember the rules" Hagrid was embracing rules since he started seeing the Headmistress. "Well, you are a professor, so, we are safe". Ron was definetly getting smarter. As always, Hagrid shut up afraid of saying the wrong thing.

"So, Hagrid, what do you know about Marie, I mean, Professor Matthews". Hagrid smiled at Harry's question.

"You and little Mag-rie, little Mary Matthews, I always thought you'd end up together" and then he realized he shouldn't have said that. Ron catched up "Oh, you did? But, Prof Matthews is much older than us, isn't she? And she is a teacher, Harry couldn't be with her".

Hagrid coughed "Well, no one thought you could be with Hermione and you are, so" He looked sad for not being able to talk to them "I cannot say anything, I'm sorry. She's fine, her arm is healing like a muggle, just like her mom" and he smiled just like when he remembered Lily and James.

Harry asked him if he knew her mother and wondered why she wasn't there, but then he remembered that teachers don't ussually go with their relatives. Still, students do, and Chris was a student. "Her mom was beatiful, just like her, everyone had a crush on her when she was here, hehe" and he walked up from that memory he was telling, fortunately, before saying too much.

"Now, off you go mates, please, it's almost six and Malfoy is Headboy remember". They took off and they started talking over what they just learned. Marie's mom passed away obviously, and she was once a student at Hogwarts. Ron had to tell Hermione though Harry asked him not to. "She's going to start haunting Maggie, just like she did with Sirius, please". Ron said he wouldn't, but Hermione was his girlfriend.

A lot of things were changing between the three of them, and this was one.

Chapter V - Breaking News

Harry tried for hours to find either Marie or Chris, but failed, they both vanished. He was also trying desperately to avoid Ginny, who seemed determined to get through him & talk senses into him.

Both Ron & Hermione, though sitting next to each other, were avoiding eye contact, and just nodding when Harry or Luna said anything. It was the longest trip to Hogwarts ever... and he was out of alcohol. Shame.

When they reached Hogwarts it was a cloudy day, pretty much like the mood in all of the friends, and also the foregneirs, who spent most of the trip in Minerva's compartment, where no other students had access to, not even Head Girl Granger.

When the train finally stopped a soft drift was falling, pretty much like the one Maggie kept on feeling in her face when she saw things, it was odd & only helped her to be sadder. She waited until all of the students headed to the coaches & boats & then came out of the train. She drank a potion from a little bottle Minerva left for her before leaving the compartment. It tasted like rancid chocolate cake but she had to take it. It was the only way to finally be at Hogwarts. She walked out, sobbing slowly & got into Hagrid's coach.

"Good lord, you look more and more like your mother" it's amazing how love can get grammar into a man... "Thank you Hagrid, I see you're still with that principal" and she giggled among her sobbings. Hagrid was sad for her "It's called Headmaster here... I'm sorry about all this Maggi- I mean Marie, this is not fair for you". That was also odd, Hagrid would never question Dumbeldore's decisions, but I guess things were changing at Hogwarts.

***

"Harry, what's wrong with you?" Harry simply stared at Hermione for 5 minutes and then walked away. She knew she got into the compartment at the worst time. Harry took his quartz stone & held it very tight in his pocket, made him feel a little bit better.

He almost drops it to the floor when Chris bumped into him, chasing for Ginny "Oh, sorry dude", Harry looked astonished. "Hey, mate, wait, where is your sister?" Chris looked puzzled and upset. He didn't want Potter around her "If I know my sister, she's chasing a dragon or a demon, see ya dudes". Ron and Hermione looked at each other and Harry kept on walking further and further away from them.

"Oh, they are full of -" Hermione looked worried "No student can go around looking for demons, come on". And then it hit him, the same thing that hit Hermione "She might not be a student Ron".

Unfortunately, Harry wasn't thinking that.

***

The Great Hall looked gloomy also. All students sat down in their respective tables, except for the First Years & Chris, who stood by them. The four friends were quiet, though it was normal in Luna being like that.

Hermione was intrigued about the extra chair between Prof. Dumbledore & Prof. McGonagall, odd enough considering she is co-Headmistress with Dumbledore & has always sat beside him. This was only another confirmation that there was more to Marie Matthews than what she had said.

Harry was afraid of thinking what his friends knew already. She didn't come up with his brother and the first years for the sorting ceremony & Dumbledore said nothing. That was quite unusual. He seemed to be waiting for someone.
After a few minutes, Hagrid came through the door and behind him Marie, who oddly enough, looked older than that same morning. She was wearing a black cloak, had her hair tight up. Her face looked all red, as if she was crying during the whole trip. She nodded at the Gryffindor table and smiled shily at Harry, looking away soon enough. She walked right beside her brother and gave him a broad smile, then went right ahead to the teacher's table, took of her cloak & walked away, behind the Slytherin's table. Harry slipped through his own table & no one paid attention to him with all the noise from the Sorting.

Only other person was starting at Marie in the same way he was: Severus Snape.

***

"Your attention please" Dumbledore got up & waved his hands, closing the door right behind Harry. "Allright then, the person that just walked out of the room is Prof. Marie Matthews, your new defense against the dark arts teacher. Also, she'll be in chage of taking the NEWTs, along with Prof. McGonagall, Prof Snape & myself this year." A silent filled up the room & both Ron & Hermione realized Harry had taken off behind Marie.

"Also, the security measures are stronger than ever. No student is allowed in the Forbidden Forest, nor in the surroundings of schools after 6 pm withouth professor's supervision" Dumbledore coughed a bit and zipped some water Minerva gave him. "Excuse me, also, each house will have a co-head. Now, without further ado, let the feast begin!". Hermione got up quite upset & asked out loud why wasn't she informed about these measures (being a Head Girl she should have). "Head Girl & Head Boy & all Prefects will be informed about these measures later today". He went back and took his seat.

***

"So, you're a teacher. Why all the lying?" Maggie stood still and turned around. She did looked older, she was in her 20s for sure... Why hadn't he noticed it before. "So, you lied to me just for kicks? Was it fun?"
She looked guilty and worried. "Harry, please go back, there's a Sucubus on the loose and I need to get to it" Harry wasn't moving anywhere. "You don't get it Harry, this thing is dangerous and I cannot risk you, please go back", this last part was almost a whisper. Her eyes were red of having cried, but he was too upset to notice them.

"So, the teacher can't spare me. I want an answer.. Professor. And I want it now" She couldn't explain now. A sucubus was reported inside the school perimeter and she needed to get to it before that thing got to them. She came closer from him and spread her right hand close from his chest "I'm really sorry about this Harry, but is for your own good". Blue light came out right from the middle of her hand & hit him, knocking him unconscious. She grabbed him in the air and carefully laid him down there, leading some energy towards him so he'd be protected.
She started walking away, but she knew that was wrong. She knew (or thought she did) why she was there as a teacher. Allright, she thought. And walked closer from him, sitting at his side. "Allright Potter, I didn't hit you that hard" she was caressing his face slowly and he walked up with a startle, pointing his wand towards her. "YOU ATTACKED ME, You are out of your mind! I'm turning you in right now" She tried to explain what she had to do and why he needed to go back to the Great Hall, but he wouldn't listen. He tried to curse her, but she derived the curse. He was pointing the wand again towards her when they heard footsteps... big footsteps.

Harry grabbed her from the arm and tried to take her away, forgetting that he had tried to curse her two minutes ago. "Harry, what are you doing? That thing is heading directly towards the Great Hall, the whole point is to keep it away from it!" Harry stared at this big muddy-like creature, over 7 ft tall, that smelt pretty bad. "CRUTIO!" but the curse did nothing to the creature, it only started smelling worse. "Oh no, Harry, Harry listen to me, he just threw a lot of, fero-something, LISTEN Harry, fight it, you're gonna fall asleep otherwise and that thing will gain control, Harry, oh no, Harry!" but Harry had passed out, once again.

Maggie thought of cursing the creature the right way, like Remus had taught her, but that could leave Harry in a permanent comma. She laid next to Harry "Allright, let's see if this works, Harry, you have to let me in your dream please? I'm really sorry I had to lie, I had no choice, please" and she started feeling sleepy herself. She just hoped she got into his dream instead of her own.

***

"Arrrrghh!!" She woked up with a startle, but she wasn't in reality. An awful dementor was holding her restrained hurting her arm in the process. Through the cloudy midst she could see Harry's figure, talking cheerfully with someone else. "Harry, don't buy it, is a dream, is not even your dream!".

Harry looked at her for a second and then went back looking to what was in front of him. "Oh, Harry, is so great to see you son", Lily Potter held him tight and he felt happy, though he kept on hearing Maggie's plead for help.

"Mom, I've missed you so much". He was feeling lonely and dissapointed. "Harry, please, this is a D R E A M! Your mother is dead, she's been dead for years, please help me! Argh!" her arm started bleeding heavily. Harry looked at her worried and tried to go towards her, but his mother wouldn't let go of him. When he looked back at her, her face had shifted and was no other than Wormtail's. He was finally able to let go and come close from Mags.

He was holding his wand up and casted a patronus to release her from the dementor. He didn't really know whether that was going to work or not, but it was worth the shot. Still, lily/wormtail figure was still around and getting closer from them. Mags arm kept bleeding. "Now what do I do?" he was afraid of Wormtail's ghost back in his life.

"I dunno Harry, this is your dream, you choose, the sucubus is merely a guest like me, your call". Harry then closed his eyes and the fog got ticker, causing Wormtail's figure to vanish in ashes. The chains in Maggie's arms dissapeared as well.
"Thank you for that Harry" and she smiled. "We have to leave now, this is no safe place", she looked worried and in pain. Her arm kept on bleeding bad.

Harry was back to be upset "Allright then, show me the way out and I'll be happy to leave", he then thought how bizarre it all was. "Well, is not bizarre if you think of it Harry, i mean, you miss your mother and you're terrified of that short guy there, is pretty obvious that they're gonna be in your dreams". Harry looked at her puzzled and with contempt, and she was sounding more and more like Hermione.

"So, Miss, You can read my mind now?" she smiled naughtily "Wish I could... Nope, I can't, but this is Your dream inside Your head, you let both the sucubus and me in" then she added, looking at his wand, "im not the sucubus Harry, i'm bleeding okay? when you passed out I passed out right after you, and if you wouldnt had let me in, I couldnt have got in. I guess a part of you is determined to trust me." And she smiled again, knowing she was right.

"Well, after all, you are the one bleeding so, I'll just have to wake up then, cheers" and he closed his eyes, forcing himself to wake up, when she stopped him. If Harry woke up without helping her out of his head, she'd be the one in a permanent comma.

"Can't you just blink us out of here like you did on the train?" He was getting frustrated, and so was she "Nope, sorry, it only works in the earth plane... but... wait... you can blink us out of here!" He looked puzzled. "Look" she sat down and he sat beside her. "The only way for me to get outta here is if you get me out. So, you just need to give it a shot, believe that you can blink us out of here." he had a puppy look on his face now. "Harry, please, after all is just a dream, give it a shot... I mean, you can do anything in a dream, can't you?"

Harry got up and held her hand while she was getting up. "Unfortunately I can't Marie". He slipped his arm around her waist, like in the train, looked straight into her eyes and took them out of there.

***

Harry woke up with a startle and saw her head over his chest. Her long black hair smelt so good. Slowly she got up as well. They heard Professor Snape coming towards them screaming "Finito Incantatio" and the sucubus (who had shapedshifted into a huge grey tiger) smashed in a million pieces, leaving them filled with a mud like substance all around them.

They got up and Harry realized Maggie was still bleeding. Snape also looked worried. "I should have imagined, Potter got in your way, didn't he? Are you allright? You need to see that cut checked, I'll take you to the hospital wing". Harry finally found someone who obviously hated Snape more than himself.

"Potter helped me, we didn't need you here and I dont need any doctor. I gotta talk to Albus. And you better get out of my face Snape" Maggie looked at Harry and asked him to go with her "Sure miss". He tried not to laugh in his face.

That was the first time Snape looked worried about someone and the first time he noticed anyone despising him as much as they did. They didn't talk until the Great Hall's door. Her arm was still bleeding and she looked messed up. "You should get that checked Marie, here" he took off his tie and bandaged her arm with it. She looked grateful though she refused to go to the Hospital Wing. She closed her eyes, and though in pain said some words in sanscrit while holding his arm. Amazingly enough, their clothes were cleaned. "That's a trick my mom used to do all the time" and she walked into the Great Hall for the second time that night.

He followed her in, thinking she was one scary witch.

Chapter IV - Platform 9 and three nightmares

"I don’t see your ghost girl Harry, how is she again?" Ron was trying to help his best friend on finding the one thing that made him less grumpy for the last month.

Harry was with his quartz stone around his neck, holding it, "she's tall, dark, has a great smile..." "-has you completely STUPID, excuse me" Ginny told them while she passed them by. She was seeing her dream of being close to Harry further and further away.

But Harry had only one thing in his mind.

"I know! It's her first time here, she won't know how to pass the platform Harry!" Ron said while grabbing his friend and going through the door.

***

Maggie was now officially frustrated, she had no idea how to get to that silly platform, no idea what were the visions she'd been having since she held her mom's wand and she hadn't been able to check on Harry since his birthday. It wasn't fair... The whole deal wasn't fair...

Chris was holding their wands, was carrying the parcels, the luggage, his owl and Maggie's black cat... But he could only think of Ginny. She was so hurt by Potter... He did nothing but hurting her... He wouldn’t let Harry do the same to his sister... He wanted to be with Ginny, she was older yes, but just one year, that wouldn’t be much of a difference in the real world, not this magic-wannabies world, with people dressed stupidly, holding wands and casting silly spells.

Why couldn’t they just stay in San Francisco and have tutors? He then thought once again in Ginny's hair, how it'd feel to hold her, to kiss her, to absorb every inch of her...

Maggie made him come back from his nonsense asking him if he remembered the whole story. "Yes I do, don’t treat me like a 10 year old Mag- Marie! You are supposed to be around 25, you studied in Salem, went to Romania, got the degree on dragons, then got to be an auror and now you teach... Busy life, ha? I cant believe uncle A can come out with such a big amount of crap, honestly"

Chris didn’t wanna be there, and neither did she, not under those conditions. "Look, I hate this as much as you, I wanted to be a Gryffindor, I was a 7th Year Student until 3 weeks ago, I hate having to be a teacher, but I have no choice, Uncle Albus didn’t give me any choice, so you better learn that crappy story and make it realistic, all right?"

She looked up and saw Harry coming her way with his lovely smile, and the quartz around his neck. Chris saw him and wanted to threw him under the train, but nothing had made his sister smile like that in years. "Ok, just avoid questions until we get to Hogwarts, forget the whole thing until we have no choice... please???" she was begging now.

"Ok, I wont mention our last names, no age, no Remus, no mentioning our parents... They happened to die one day in a car crash or something... Enjoy your trip with the bastard, sis" he smiled at her and walked to say hi to Ron, who was obviously Ginny's sister. All four of them were close from each other, nodding & being introduced.

"Morning Miss Matthews, how are you today?" and he smiled at her and kissed her hand. She giggled "I'm better now that you've come to the rescue Mr. Potter". Their obvious chemistry made Ron a bit sad, thinking of his sister, still he was happy for his friend, it was obvious that the american liked him.

Chris got their luggage again and headed to the gates of the platform "Excuse me, I'm gonna be sick."

Maggie gave her brother a piercing look "He has a thing with trains I dunno, It's so good to see you Harry, Hi Ron", Ron didn’t like her attitude... He started wondering who they really were, where were they parents... Very much like his girlfriend Hermione.

All three of them headed to the gates, Ron a bit forward so they could have some privacy. "I was having a pretty bad day... bad week really when we met and I just couldn’t stop thinking of you ever since" Harry was blushing oddly and looking straight into her eyes from time to time.

Wow... You don’t waist any time, do you? Now... Think Maggie, think... "Well Harry, I've been thinking a lot about you too" and she smiled. She just wanted to tell him the whole truth and run away... with him of course. People could see miles away they had something going on, they were closer and closer from one another. Unfortunately, red haired boy came their way and, after apologizing for the interruption, reminded them the train was punctual and about to leave in 5 minutes.

Maggie went back to her moody self "So what? We just blink inside". Both Harry and Ron chorus "you WHAT?" With an come on expression, very Hermione-like she held Harry tight with one arm and vanished, leaving blue stars that disappeared behind them.

They were all alone in a compartment. Again, Harry and Maggie felt a cold chill through their spines, he had her close from him, too close to be true.

"You disappeared after my birthday" said while caressing her face really slowly, touching her lips with this thumb. "Oh boy... Well (she coughed) my place in Hogwarts... There was a problem with it and I had to take care of it, but is all good now" and she smiled at him. She found herself with both of her arms around him, not wanting to go anywhere...

They were in the middle of a great silence before a great kiss.

Ron found Hermione and passed on his worries to her. "Who IS she? Where are they? We have to find them Ron, I don’t trust her, and I just saw her once! And that american accent, lord!", they were about to split and look for them. "I don’t know what's going on Herm, but she... I dunno... I don’t like her." Hermione knew exactly how Ron felt. She had always known that Harry and Ginny together weren’t a good idea, not because they didn’t match, but because of Ron. One was his best friend, the other his sister... He wouldn’t know how to take sides if they ever broke it up, like Harry did.

"Darling, Harry is our friend, you should dislike her because she took your friend and disappear afterwards but not because your friend is attracted to her. You know... He's been having a rough year, a rough life Ron... Just look at the last 5 months... He almost looses everything, he's lost and we have to help him" Ron felt upset and ashamed.

"Hermione, you NEVER get it! You think I'm like this because of Ginny!? Hell no! He is vulnerable, and she IS acting suspicious, I even noticed it! You know me less and less" and he walked away...

Things between them weren't as happy as they seemed, but right now she had to find her friend, didn’t have time to think of her own problems.

Hermione opened the compartment's door and found Harry with Maggie in his arms, but they weren't kissing... close enough though. "Oh, Harry sorry, I was worried. We are 2 compartments away, Hi... Marie, right? I'm Hermione, Ron's girlfriend" and she nodded. "Well Harry, I have to look for Chris, I'll see you later, bye Hermione, nice to meet you" and she almost run through the door.

Once again, she escaped. Harry was more confused & upset than before. "Let's go get a drink" he said.

Chapter III - Quartz Stones & Cel Phones

Harry was pretending to be having fun... Its was passed 7 and the girl with the great smile hadn't showed up yet. He was getting upset, sad all over again.

He was sitting at the bar, his friends and the Weasleys were all there, it was like a big Gryffindor party. But he was feeling miserable. He wanted to be free of all that, he wanted to leave, go. He slowly zipped a drink... Probably had some alcohol he slipped on it. He saw Ginny coming his way, and just wanted to avoid her.

When will she get over him? When will she just let him be himself and not this guy she wanted him to be? The fact that they dated for a year and he left her because he realized he loved her as a sister broke her heart and made her this pathetic woman who would just be there all the time getting on his nerves.

"You should stop this, u're doing nothing but destroying yourself Harry" she was looking at him with simpathy, which he hated...

"WHO ASKED FOR YOUR OPINION?" The whole room went silent. Ginny started weeping and run out of the Leaky Cauldron & he had to go after her. Not because he really cared about her, but he cared about the Weasleys. They were his family as well.

Ginny bumped into Maggie when she was coming out, she was with Chris as well. She knew she was history cos of the red haired Weasley girl.

Harry went out second and his face changed when he saw her, but Maggie was sad. "Your girlfriend went that way". Maggie was about to walk away as well. "No, wait, she's not my girlfriend. Not anymore" He sort of blushed when saying that last phrase.

"So, she's available?" Chris said while taking off to Ginny's way. They looked at each other and then to Chris and giggled. Maggie turned around and headed to the Leaky Cauldron "No, lets go some place else, if I walk in there withouth Ginny Ill be crucified". Maggie nodded and they headed to a park, outside Diagon Alley.

It was weird to be outside of Diagon Alley, walking around London like a muggle, on his cloak, with a girl, also on her cloak. It wasnt the most romantic place in the whole world for sure, but it could have been worse. "So, whats the story with this chick anyway?" Maggie couldnt help herself. The way she talked made Harry giggle inside. "Well, that chick is my best friend's sister, and she was like obsessed with me for a long time-" "Oh, a psycho kinda girl" his smile went broader, and her wanting to kiss him did too.

"Well, then she started dating other guy and I sort of dated a girl, and then one thing led to another and-" "And you kissed and then u saw yourself stucked in a relationship that u didnt want, not only with her, but her whole family, am I right?" Harry looked at her, seriously.

Maggie felt a shudder going through her spine, she wasnt sure why she had said that, but Harry didnt seemed pretty much pleased. "Im, im sorry Harry, I have a really big mouth" she almost blushed. Harry kept staring at her but smiled "Its allright, you're pretty much right, she was too posessive and I just realized she just wasnt what I needed nor wanted."

An ackward silence followed that last sentence. She just wished it could make that feeling go away, then she remember she had a package on her pocket. "Oh, here, happy birthday Harry" and she grinned.

"Oh, thanks, u really shouldnt have". Harry opened the little package, it was a long silver chain with a quartz hanging from it. He smiled and looked right into her eyes. He really needed a quartz stone. He couldnt believe this girl, honestly. She saw him just once and realized he needed orientation and his path cleansed and inner calm... and all of his friends... they just werent there.

His eyes got filled with tears, but men dont cry, at least not in front of girls they just met. "Thanks for this really" and kissed her on the cheek. "I thought you might needed it, you seemed troubled" and she gave him a tender smile. "I do..." He hanged it around his neck and it stayed there. He felt like he didnt need a drink anymore, at least not for the time being.

They got up and started walking again. Harry stopped at a bar, close from the underground. It really seemed like people along with rats could coexist there. "So, you wanna go inside? I mean, is not the coolest place in London, but is not that bad" Maggie stared for a second at the door "Maybe some other day... I should really be heading back Harry, I gotta find my brother & go to Notthing Hill". They were going back into Diagon Alley when she grabbed a celphone from her pocket and ringed her brother. Harry was surprised, first Notting Hill and then a cel phone.

"I dont care Chris, wait over the Leaky Cauldron, the doorstep, we have to be heading home, bye" and she hanged up "Sorry about that" and she smiled. Harry told her that he tought she'd go searching for him, not call him on the cell phone. He hadnt seen one in ages, specially not in the Alley. "Well... they're handy, plus we are around muggles all the time, kinda makes sense, though I dont think I'll have signal on Hogwarts" and they giggled. They were almost there from the Leaky Cauldron, but he couldnt let her go, he had to do something.. kiss her maybe. He just felt this desperate need of kissing her.

He stopped and she kept on walking forward a couple of steps and then he held her arm and pulled her closer from him. They were close, Maggie started studdering "Ha-Har-Harry I have to..." Harry looked right into her eyes and passed his arm around her waist "I know this is like too soon and all but... I cant help it" words failed him "I- I- I knn-now Harry, I know what you mean" She was serious, had no clue what to do, she knew what she wanted, probably the same thing he wanted.

"You dont waist any time do you? You better stay away from my sister dude" and they broke it up. Chris was there giving them a reproving look. The "who's in charge" part kept on changing back and forth between Maggie and Chris. To top it all up an owl came out of nowhere and dropped a letter next to Marie.

"Now what?" The letter was from Hogwarts, Prof. McGonagall's handwriting. It was sent to M. S. Matthews, which was odd since letters from Hogwarts usually had a full name. Maggie took it and showed it to Harry "Yes, M.S. Matthews, Marie after my mother... yes. Well Harry, Ive had a great time, I guess I'll see you around. I have to go now". Maggie was walking away. "WAIT! How can I find you? You're in muggle London, thats a whole different world". Harry felt like he needed a drink again.

"I'll find you dont worry" she caressed his face and held the quartz for two seconds "Use it" she smiled and they both walked away.

Chris whispered at her sister "Why didn't you tell him your real name Maggie? Why using mom's?" She looked at him sad and dissapointed. "I dunno hunny, uncle Albus orders".

Harry stayed there staring at them and then to the wall that separated the wizards from the muggles. He wondered where she really belonged to.

Chapter II - Back to the Alley

By the end of July, near Harry’s birthday, the three friends agreed to meet at Diagon Alley, to buy the supplies for the next term. Besides, they’ll be able to catch up on their holidays’ news. Ron could see all right, tough he needed glasses and kept breaking them. Fortunately, Hermione, feeling much better, was around him to mend them with the so familiar “Oculus Reparo.”

They met Harry at the Leaky Cauldron. They were sitting at the very last table, giggling and sit really close to one another, drinking buttlebeer. They almost looked embarrassed when Harry joined them. They had been trying to hide their romance for some silly reason and kept believing no one would realize.

“Was sup folks, studying or something?” And he blinked towards an even redder Ron. “I’m so glad you are both all right. I’ve also heard Dumbledore is much better” said with an excited tone of voice. Hermione added that Prof. McGonagall secretly told her the Headmaster of Hogwarts was preparing a big surprise for this year. “I cant wait really!” She was almost astral projecting out of her body out of the emotion. “McGonagall and you, yes, but, isn’t she a bit too old for you?” Ron loved playing jokes to her.

Harry ordered some muggle drinks instead or buttlebeer. He told them about his holidays, he went to San Francisco with Remus, he was working there, ever since 4 years ago, but he didn’t really know what the job was about. Anyway, he went out when he was in there a few nights, sneaked out of the hotel where he was staying and visited some pubs and drank a few things… “I got a fake ID, ha ha.”

Suddenly, Hermione realized her old time friend wasn’t looking good at all. He was drinking alcoholic drinks; he was looking tired and lost some weight. She started to worry, but something told her to shut up (probably it was Ron’s foot over hers).

“So, our last year, we are seniors, we rule Hogwarts” he had this naughty smile on his face that made Hermione start to worry… “no we don’t… we have licenses other students don’t have” and Harry gave the naughty look right back at Ron, and started laughing an almost drunk laugh.

They stayed there for a while, Ron and Hermione were preparing a birthday party at the Leaky Cauldron for the next day, and Harry kept on drinking.

Later that night Ron had to carry Harry to his room. Whatever he wanted to prove, well, he wasn’t accomplishing it. And Ron suddenly realized this was going to be the hardest year at Hogwarts.

***

“Chris, get here man” A skinny dark haired girl told a shorter blond boy. She looked weird, she belonged to the “Muggle London” or certainly looked like it. They had this strong American accent that you didn’t see much around Diagon Alley.

She was bound to call people’s attention, specially from young man on their late teen years…

Her name was Maggie, and the boy was Chris, her kid brother. She was sweet and loveable, but she also had a really bad temper. It was their first time at Diagon Alley and they were absolutely lost. Nonetheless, she wasn’t the kind of person that’d ask for directions… Unless they’d come from a Hogwarts’ uniform.

She was holding a list of supplies from Hogwarts, all she was missing were two wands; they didn’t use wands. She needed to buy them, and an owl and maybe a little kitten… And definitely some food!!! They were starving…

So, she was carrying all these parcels, so was Chris, and they were running through Diagon Alley. He was 14 or 15, no more than that, and she looked a bit older, maybe because of their hard growing up. Anyway, parcels, crowded alley, racing each other (though she was older, they were pretty close from one another). She was bound to bump into someone. Hermione, who was carrying books wasn’t pretty happy when this muggle like girl bumped into her and spread all of her parcels.

“Oh, Im sorry sweety, I was just racing my bro here and bang, crashed into ya” Hermione, unusually annoyed by this girl, replied it was okay and took off to the Leaky Cauldron. “Now, that was weird!” Marie said to Chris. She felt something weird coming from that girl, a great worry over her shoulders. She had that gift (got it from her mom), she could sense people stuff. Her mom (Anne Marie) was another kind of witch, a practitioner of the old ways, something different that what you see in Hogwarts. Still, Maggie thought it was cool.

She was lost in Diagon Alley, with a lot of parcels on the floor, no one being kind enough to help her picking them up or pointing directions to where she could get those freaking requested wands!! She was getting annoyed, over Hermione’s way of annoyed…

“I’m sorry about my friend, she’s… I don’t know” He picked the parcels up and got a thumb up from Chris. The brunette glassy guy smiled at the gesture “Hello young man, first year at Hogwarts?” Chris pointed at his big sister, who was still drooling cos such a cute guy helped her.

“Oh, yeah, it’s our first year at Hogwarts, we just moved from the US” She smiled, and he smiled back.

Maybe this year wasn’t gonna be so bad after all. “I’m sorry, you’ve been so cool with us, eh, do you know where we can find some wands?” Chris couldn’t believe his sister asking for directions… She must have really liked this guy, he thought. “Wands? Well, I’d have to say Ollivander’s. Best (and only) place around. Now, let me help you with those parcels and I’ll show you where it is, if it’s okay with you, of course” How to say no to that smile?

Harry was smiling inside. Who is she? She was glowing. She had the greatest smile he had ever seen. He wanted to know all about her, and 2 blocks weren’t even close enough from enough… He couldn’t let her go, he couldn’t let her into Ollivanders just like that. “Well, here it is” and he smiled. She didn’t want to go in either, she just stared at him and he stared back at her.

"So, well, Thanks" and she kept staring. Chris looked at them and step in between "Excuse me, my sister is kinda shy, we are knew and all u know? So, what's your name?" And Maggie turned red and wanted to kick her little brother hard. He run into Ollivander's. Maggie was mumbling, making no sense at all "I, I, ahh, ehh, Im gonna kill him!" Harry started laughing "My name is Harry, Harry Potter, at your service" and he waved at her in a really funny way, she had to laugh at it. "So, Harry Potter, nice to meet you, I'm Marie Matthews, my pleasure." It was the first time someone didnt make a big fuss out of his name. He felt relief.

She wanted to get a coffee and talk to him, she didnt care about the wands anymore, or the kitten, or the starvation. She just wanted to know more about him, she knew stuff about him allright, lots actually, but she couldnt tell him.

He wanted to see her, to absorb every inch of her, every smile, every sight, he couldnt let her go. "So, bye Harry Potter, I guess Ill see you around" and she was coming into the store. "Wait" he grabbed her by his arm. "Well, today is my birthday, and my friend, the one that bumped into you? Well, her and my friend Ron are making me a surprise party at the Leaky Cauldron now... so... Would you like to go?"

Suddenly he remember when he was in fifth year, trying to tell Cho the way she felt about her. Now he was the one blushing. "I'd love to go Harry, at what time is it gonna be?" He told her and then she said bye, and kissed him on the chick and run into the store. He touched his own face and walked away.

Maybe Ron was right, this year was gonna be the best.

***

When she came into the store, Chris was already holding a wand. This old weird man was staring at her with a smile. "Hello Ms. Smith! I knew I'd see you around here sometime. My gosh! You look just like your mother". Maggie went back to earth. Her smile completaly erased when she heard her last name being pronounced.

"That's not our last name anymore, we are making a fresh new start, we are Matthews now, just like mom" She was tough. "Oh, I see, never mind then, here, try this wand" She hated the fact of using wands, she just lead energy in the old ways. But now she was gonna be a student, finally she was gonna be at Hogwarts... It was worth it.

"Okay, just wrap it up, I'll take it" She wanted to leave, she was hungry again and couldnt stop thinking of Harry's smile. "No sis, you've gotta try it, come on" She couldnt say no to her kid brother, she saw all the stars on his eyes, she just couldnt say no. "Okay, gimme that" and she grabbed it.

A thunder was heard outside. Harry docked, but everyone looked at him in a funny way, no one else heard it.

Maggie heard it, she looked outside, but when she turned, she fell. She was surrounded by darkness, a soft, cold drift was getting her face wet, she had all these feelings within. Fear, sadness, rage, revenge. She tried to shake her head and get out of there. She opened her eyes, and had Chris next to her. She woke up with a headache, her right hand hurt bad.

"Mr O. I think you gave me the wrong one, bad vibe comin from that" But Ollivander wrapped it up for her. "That was your mother's wand Ms. S-Matthews, that belongs to you. Before you passed out-" "your bluish light came out of it sis, it fits u" and she took it.

Chris knew she saw something, her mood changed radically after that.

She had no clue what she saw, but she had a feeling, a very bad feeling about it.

Chapter I - Harry's Holidays

Harry was determined to put an end to Voldemort and he did. He was determined put an end to Wormtail, and he did. But he wasn’t proud of either. He had to; it wasn’t self-determination alone what lead him to use the “Avada Kedavra” curse.

He still resented that. He wasn’t a murderer.

At the end of the last battle against the Dark Lord, Hermione was almost dead, Ron was nearly blind, and both Snape and Dumbledore were facing the remains of Voldemort. Remus Lupin (an auror werewolf who used to teach in Hogwarts) and Lucius Malfoy (a dead eater turned good) were chasing after the few remaining dead eaters.

But Harry was having an inner fight with himself.

He was standing in front of Wormtail, who was tied up and could barely move. Harry was in pain, but also full of hate. In front of him was the man who killed his parents. He had to do something; Azkaban without the Dementor’s didn’t seem enough punishment for Wormtail. He couldn’t just turn him in to the Ministry of Magic.

He got up from the chair where he was sitting and he took his wand from the floor. He released Wormtail from the strings and stared at him, full of hate. “Oh, Harry, I knew you’d understand.” But Harry didn’t talk.

He wasn’t the same old boy that he used to be. He was almost 6 feet tall now, nearly a man, and the expression in his face showed how many things he went though, and this was one of the toughest one of all. He had his wand and wasn’t afraid of using it, he wasn’t thinking of the outcome. All he could think of was the voice of his parents the night they died, that same old nightmare he’d been having for the last six years. But now it was about to be over.

“You wouldn’t just attack me now, would you Harry?” Harry looked at him. He was holding his wand towards Wormtail’s nose. “You are absolutely right Scabbers. I shouldn’t just kill you… After all, you did nothing but slaughtering my parents and tried to kill me several times after that. All the people I care about is on the other room, looking not too good… No, you are right, I have NO REASON to attack you.”

Harry’s wand was bursting with a bluish flame that made Wormtail float in the air for a few minutes. With a flick of his wand, he smashed him through one of the walls. “Get up! Come on, What? Are you scared of a boy? GET UP!” Harry was nearly crying now, but whether it was for pain, sadness or rage he couldn’t tell.

He only had to say 2 words, and Wormtail’s life will end. He deserved it, even more than Voldemort. He had tricked his parents and Sirius and deceived them; Sirius had spent many years suffering the Dementor’s torture & then died in an awful way. Wormtail deserved it. No more, no less than that.

Harry just had to pronounce them, just like Wormtail had done years ago, to kill Cedric. Just Avada Kedavra and that was it. Harry burst into tears, there he was, his wand on his had, Wormtail right there, and he was about to say those words that he resented so much. “Av- Avada” he was whispering them, he couldn’t say them, he wasn’t a murdered, he wasn’t like Voldemort or Wormtail himself. He couldn’t do it.

“Do- Don’t do it Harry-“ Dumbledore’s voice came from behind him. “Let go of your wand, come on, go with your friends now, I’ll take him to Azkaban myself. He’s getting what he deserves.”

Dumbledore was serious.

“Did I get what I deserve? I couldn’t even choose, he just killed my PARENTS! Hermione is almost gone now, and Ron… And HE did all this.” Wormtail was slightly moving to his left.

“Are you going somewhere?” Harry was still pointing his wand towards him. “You know? Don’t even try it, you cant turn into an Animagus anymore, thanks to the potion Snape just threw at you.”

Harry was hurt, bad, he might not be bleeding, but he was in pain.

“Come on Harry! Hermione is asking for you, go to her, to them” But Harry wouldn’t go, he wanted to be a part of it. He wanted to take Wormtail to Azkaban himself. He wasn’t a boy anymore. They failed to see that Wormtail was approaching towards a wand that was lying on the floor. As soon as he grabbed it, he sent them flying across the room, knocking Dumbledore unconscious.

Wormtail sent Harry “Expelliarmus”, but he derived it to the wall, that exploded in a million pieces. A cold, wet air came through the wall. They both felt it. Curses came and go, and Harry was bruised, and tired and lying on the floor, close (but not close enough) from a knocked out Dumbledore. Wormtail hesitated for a second. Will he kill the boy that started all this mess? Will he kill the greatest wizard of the Century and take all the glory?

There was no doubt in his head. Wormtail stood next to Dumbledore, pointed his wand towards him, but couldn’t say the curse; “Avada Kedrava” came from Harry’s wand first.

Wormtail was dead. Dumbledore was safe.