IN WHICH school starts again.

AUBERY walked down Diagon Alley with her mother, yet again, as her father was a bit ill.

"Molly!" Roselie greets, rushing over to them. "Where's Harry?"

"Oh, he had his first Floo trip, I think he got out somewhere else." Molly frets.

"It's fine Molly. I'm sure he'll turn up soon." Roselie assured, and Aubery sidled over to Ron.

"Hey." Aubery whispers.

"Oh, hi," Ron says.

"Hey Aubery, you going to try out for Chaser?" George asks.

"Oh yeah. I've been practicing a lot." Aubery nods.

"You better be pretty agile. I think Wood's going to make you jump brooms." Fred jokes.

"The Broom Switcharoo? Yeah, I've been practicing it. Gave my mum a good scare." Aubery laughs.

"Well, did you do it?" George asks.

"Once," Aubery admits. "Out of a hundred until my mom caught me and took away my broom."

"That's good!" George says.

"At least you got it! The other Chaser can't seem to get it." Fred says.

"Oh, Harry! Thank goodness! We'd hoped you'd only gone one grate too far..." Molly says, as Roselie quickly took her nephew in her arms.

"You okay Harry? I hope Petunia didn't treat you that badly. Dumbledore wouldn't let me take you, but believe me, we are trying."

"I'm fine Aunt Rosie," Harry says.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Gilderoy Lockhart." Someone announces.

"Ah! Here he is!" Molly smiles.

"Mum fancies him," Ron whispers to Hermione, Harry, and Aubery.

"Pretty sure he doesn't" Aubery scoffs. "He's not even that good-looking."

"He's written so many works!" Hermione sighs. "His experience with the Dark Arts is impeccable!"

"Seems like Hermione also fancies him," Ron says.

"I don't!" Hermione stutters.

"Ew." Aubery gags.

"Oh come on Aubs, we all know that you have a type." Hermione groans.

"I don't." Aubery deadpans.

"Come on. Irish? Sandy-blonde hair? Coincidentally named Seamus Finnigan?" Hermione taunts.

"No, I don't! And you better shut your mouth before I go tell Lockhart you fancy him." Aubery hisses. Of course, she was lying. "Alright, maybe he is a bit cute."

"Ha!" Hermione smirks.

"Bloody hell." Ron groans.

"Make way there. Please! Let me by, madam. Thank you. Excuse me, little girl. This is for the Daily Prophet." A photographer pushes past them, knocking over Ginny. Aubery glares at the photographer, before helping her up.

"You okay Ginny?" Aubery asks.

"Yeah, thanks," Ginny replies.

"It can't be- Harry Potter?" Lockhart exclaims.

"Harry Potter! Excuse me, madam." The photographer says, nearly knocking over Hermione and Aubery, grabbing Harry by the wrist.

"Nice big smile, Harry. Together you and I rate the front page! Ladies and gentlemen, what an extraordinary moment this is. When young Harry stepped into Flourish and Blotts this morning to purchase my autobiography, Magical Me,... which, incidentally is currently celebrating its 27th week atop the Daily Prophet bestseller list, he had no idea that he would, in fact, be leaving... with my entire collected works, free of charge. Now, ladies?" Lockhart smiles, as some pictures were taken, and stuffed some books in Harry's arms, before pushing him away.

"Harry, now you give me those, and I'll get them signed. All of you wait outside. That's it, Ron." Molly says.

The Weasley's, Hermione, Harry, and Aubery walk out of Flourish and Blotts, where they are cornered by Draco Malfoy.

"I'll bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter? Famous Harry Potter! Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page." He taunts.

"Leave him alone," Ginny growls.

"Oh look, Potter. You've got yourself a girlfriend." Malfoy laughs.

"Now, now Draco, play nicely. Mr. Potter... Lucius Malfoy. We meet at last. Forgive me, your scar is legend, as, of course, is the wizard who gave it to you." Lucius drawls .

"Voldemort killed my parents. He was nothing more than a murderer." Harry spat.

"Hmm. You must be very brave, to mention his name...or very foolish." Lucius says.

"Fear of a name only increase fear of the thing itself." Hermione informs.

"And you must be... Miss Granger. Yes, Draco's told me all about you and your parents. Muggles, aren't they? Let me see...red hair... vacant expressions... tatty second-hand book. You must be the Weasleys." Lucius smirks.

"Children, it's mad in here! Let's go outside." Arthur says, walking up.

"Well, well, well. Weasley senior." Lucius smiles.

"Lucius." Arthur greets

"Busy time at the Ministry, Arthur, all those extra raids? I do hope they're paying you overtime, but judging by the state of this, I'd say not. What's the use in being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it." Lucius glares slightly at Hermione.

"We have a very different idea about what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy." Arthur says.

"Clearly. Associating with Muggles... and I thought your family could sink no lower. I'll see you at work." Lucius leaves.

"See you at school." Draco smirks.

The very next day, Roselie and Remus dropped off their daughter at the Burrow, before leaving in a hurry, heading to a convention. The Weasley's, Harry, and Aubery then went to King's Cross Station, terribly late.

"10:58! Come on! Come on!" Arthur beckons.

"The train will be leaving any moment!" Molly frets.

"Fred, George, Percy you first!" Arthur commands.

"Okay." Percy nods.

"After you," Arthur says, letting Aubery go.

"Come on, Ginny, we'll get you a seat. Hurry!" Molly and Ginny run after Aubery.

They made their way on the train, just as everyone got on, the train left, and Ginny and Aubery were left to find seats. Aubery was struggling to hold Kevin and her luggage, but positively refused for Ginny to help her, so she dropped it quickly.

"Where are Ron and Harry?" Ginny asks as they navigated the cramped halls.

"I'm not sure, but let's first find Hermione," Aubery says before Ginny stopped her.

"Wait, there's someone alone." Ginny pointed to a young girl, with waist-length dirty blonde hair, and pale skin. Her eyes shone a bright blue, and wore a necklace of butterbeer corks and radish-looking earring. She kept her wand for safekeeping behind her left ear, and read a magazine upside down.

"Hello." Ginny greets, walking in. "Can we sit down?"

"Sure." She replies. "My name is Luna, Luna Lovegood." 

"Ginny Weasley." Ginny greets.

"Aubery Lupin. What are you reading there?" Aubery asks.

"The Quibbler. My daddy wrote it." Luna replies.

"May I see it? I've never really seen it." Aubery asks, and Luna handed it to her. "Thank you." Luna and Ginny struck up a conversation, as Aubery read the contents of The Quibbler. There was a section on Nargles, and how to prevent them, which Aubery thought was quite enlightening, and then a rune puzzle, that you had to read upside-down, which explained why Luna was reading her book upside down.

 Finally, as she reached the end of the book, excited to read the next paper, and ready to apply a Quibbler subscription, she saw a small notice about Werewolves. 

WEREWOLVES: Enemies, or Night Dancers?

Aubery had to laugh at the absurdity, but kept reading.

Are these people just Night Dancers? Find out in our next edition of The Quibbler!

"Here you go Luna." Aubery handed Luna the paper back. "Is there any chance I could add a subscription?"

"Of course!" Luna looked excited. "Just write your name here, and next letter, I'll write to daddy! Thank you!" 

"No problem." Aubery smiles, writing down her name in neat lettering. "I probably have to leave though. Others are expecting me." 

"No problem. See you later!" Ginny and Luna waves, and Aubery picked up Kevin and her luggage, and moved on. 

She walked on, to no avail, until Hermione waved at her from the front of the train.

"My goodness Aubery! Where's Ron and Harry?" Hermione asks, as she helped Aubery in.

"No idea. I was helping Ginny find a seat." Aubery shook her head, as she walked in.

"Hey Aubs, good summer?" Eliza asks.

"Hey Lizzie! Mine's was great, your's?" Aubery asks, waving at Neville, Seamus, and Dean. 

"Good." Eliza nods. 

"So, no one's seen Harry, or Ron." Hermione says.

"I never saw them after I went through the wall, but it's just probably me. They're probably here somewhere." Aubery assures. 

Aubery was wrong.

They departed the train, going to school by the carriages, and then attended the Sorting. Ginny was Sorted into Gryffindor, and Luna was Sorted into Ravenclaw. Aubery thought it was quite fitting. If Luna was anything like her unknown father, she'd be great in Ravenclaw. 

Another boy was Sorted into Gryffindor, a young boy named Colin Creevey. Upon arriving at the table he asked everyone if he could take a picture, in which they heistantly agreed. 

As the Sorting ended, Harry and Ron were nowhere to be found, and now Aubery was nervous. Where were they? She opted out on staying in the common room, along with Hermione, waiting for them to come. It was almost half-past midnight when they burst in. 

"Where have you been?" Hermione was the first to jump up.

"Oh, Hermione, lay off! We nearly got expelled!" Ron groans.

"Nearly expelled?" Aubery shrieks. 

"Aubs, don't worry, alright?" Harry says.

"Don't worry? You nearly got expelled!" Aubery was now wringing her hands around.

"Please, guys, just lay off okay?" Ron groans, as he and Harry walked back up the common room steps.

"You don't think this is over yet Ronald Weasley!" Hermione yells. "And you too Harry Potter!"

The next morning, Ron and Hermione sat in huffy silence, as Harry and Aubery exchange lively chatter.

"What's that on your neck?" Harry asks.

"Oh, just a necklace I bought on vacation." Aubery lies. 

"Okay." Harry didn't seem convinced, however dropped it. 

"Morning, everyone! Good morning, everyone!" Professor Sprout walks in the Greenhouse, in which everyone was at.

"Good morning, Professor Sprout!" Everyone greets.

"Welcome to Greenhouse Three, Second Years. Now, gather round, everyone. Today, we are going to repot Mandrakes. Who here can tell me the properties of the Mandrake root? Yes, Miss Granger." Sprout asks.

"Mandrake, or Mandragora, is used to return those who have been Petrified to their original state. It's also quite dangerous. The Mandrake's cry is fatal to anyone who hears it." Hermione gave an off-handish look to the plants on the table.

"Excellent! Ten points to Gryffindor! Now, as our Mandrakes are still only seedlings their cries won't kill you yet. But they could knock you out for several hours, which is why I have given each of you a pair of earmuffs for auditory protection. So, could you please put them on, right away? Quickly! Flaps tight down, and watch me closely. You grasp your Mandrake firmly, you pull it sharply up out of the pot..." Sprout orders, and everyone quickly grabs some, and secures them over their ears. Sprout pulls the planet out of the pot, and immediately, it starts wailing. 

"Aah! Ooh!" The students clamp their hands over their earmuffs. 

"Got it? And... now you dunk it down into the other pot and pour a little sprinkling of soil to keep him warm." Sprout finishes, and the screaming stops. 

"Uhh..." Neville groans, and falls down. 

"Uh, Longbottom's been neglecting his earmuffs." Professor Sprout sighs. 

"No ma'am, he's just fainted." Seamus says.

"Yes, well, just leave him there. Right! On we go! Plenty of pots to go around. Grasp your Mandrake, and pull it up!" Sprout orders.

"Completely mad. You flew a flying car, and it got spotted 8 times!" Hermione snaps, as they walked back to the place. Aubery felt around for her Herbogoly book, but not finding it.

"Oh no. I forgot my book at the Greenhouse! You guys go on ahead, I'll go get it." Aubery groans.

"Alright then. See you at the Great Hall." Harry nods.

"Bye." Aubery sprints off to the Greenhouse, nearly crashing into it. She rattled the door, but nothing. Aubery looks around the glass, to find her book right where she left it. 

"Oh my. I hope no one can see this." Aubery sighs, before turning into a small, white, fox. She sniffed around, leaving her book bag behind, until she found an opening. She wiggled through, and then pushed the book down, and pushed it out, before turning back into a human. She grabbed her bag, and began running up the hills.  

"There's Nearly-Headless-Nick!" Someone says, as Aubery reaches the castle. 

"Hello, Percy. Miss Clearwater." Sir Nick greets.

"Hello, Sir Nicholas!" Percy greets.

"Hello!" Aubery waves at Sir Nick, who immediately stops and waves at Aubery.

"Aubery! Good day to you." Sir Nick smiles.

"Hello!" Aubery greets.

"Say, that necklace on your neck. I've only seen it once, but I know it's a sign of friendship. Be careful Miss Lupin. Use to much of it, and you'll be a fairy forever. Jolly day!" Sir Nick floats away, leaving Aubery to think about what had happened. She walks into the Great Hall, and sits next to Hermione. 

"Huh... Say it, I'm doomed." Ron sighs. 

 "You're doomed." Harry says.

"Hi, Harry!" Flash. "I'm Colin Creevy! I'm in Gryffindor, too!" Colin's head emerges from behind the camera. 

"Oh- Hi, Colin. Nice to meet you." Harry greets, as Aubery squrimed uncomfortably in her seat.

"Ron? Is that your owl?" Dean asks, as a rather dreary owl comes flying in, knocking over several bowls in the process.

"Ha-ha... Ha, ha." Other Gryffindor's start laughing.

"Bloody bird's a menace." Ron mutters, before seeing a bright red envelope. "Oh, no!"

"Look, everyone! Weasley's got himself a Howler!" Seamus yells, making more people laugh. Aubery glares at Seamus, who immediately shrank in his seat. 

"Go on, Ron. I ignored one from my gran once. It was horrible." Neville trails off. 

Ron heistantly touches it, but it unfolds itself. 

"RONALD WEASLEY! HOW DARE YOU STEAL THAT CAR! I AM ABSOLUTLEY DISGUSTED! YOUR FATHER'S NOW FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK, AND IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT! IF YOU PUT ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE, WE'LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT HOME!" Molly Weasley's voice booms. "Oh, and Ginny, dear, congratulations on making Gryffindor. Your father and I are so proud. Thhhhbt!" The envelope rips itself up.

"Let me introduce you to your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher... me! Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-times winner of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award- but I don't talk about that. I didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at him. 

Huh, huh, huh... hee, hee... Now- be warned! It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizardkind. You may find yourselves facing your worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here. I must ask you not to scream. It might... provoke them!" Lockhart smiles, revealing a cage full of Cornish Pixies.

"Cornish pixies?" Seamus asks, unamused.

"Freshly caught Cornish pixies!" Professor Lockhart adds.

"Ha, ha. Ha, ha, ha..." Seamus asks, and upon catching Aubery's small hint of a smile, immediately blushed.

"Laugh if you will, Mr. Finnigan, but pixies can be devilish tricky little blighters. Let's see what you make of them, ha! Come on now- round them up, round them up, they're only pixies!" Lockhart opens the cage, and they fly out, immediately wrecking havoc on the classroom and students.

"Just stay there!" Aubery heard a Pixie yell. 

"Ah! Aaah! Aaah! Aah- aah!" Neville screams, as some Pixies lift him up in the air, and hang him on the ceiling. "Hey, get me down!"

"Get off me!" Hermione screams. 

"Stop! Stop! Hold still!" Harry yells, as everyone starts running around panickly. 

"Peskipiksi pesternomi!" Lockhart yells a fake spell, which does nothing expect make more explosions. 

"Get off me now!" Aubery snaps, as a Pixie tries to nick her necklace. The Pixies scatter away from her immediately. 

"Hee, hee, hee!"

"Yeeee-haw!"

"Wheeee!"

"I'll ask you four to just nip the rest of them back into their cage!" Professor Lockhart immediately runs out of the room, along with their other classmates. They peered through a crack by the door. 

"What do we do now?" Ron asks. 

"Immobulus!" Hermione says.

"Why is it always me?" Neville sighs.

"Harry, Ron, nick them back in the cage! Immobulus!" Aubery commands, but two Pixies take away her and Hermione's wand. 

"What now?" Harry asks.

"SHUT UP! ALL OF YOU! AND STAY STILL" Aubery snaps, and the Pixies stop. "Pixies, drop whatever you have, put Neville back on the ground, and go back into your cage. Now." The pixies complied immediately, and soon Neville was on the ground, and both stolen wands were returned to their owners. 

"Blimey Aubery. I didn't know you were that scary." Ron starts, but Aubery cuts him off with a glare. 

The next day, Quidditch tryouts were something Aubery had been looking forward to all summer until she saw the number of kids there.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Eliza had wished her well, before walking with her down to the pitch. Seamus, Dean, and Neville tagged along, all saying encouraging things to her. Back then, she believed them. 

Now? Quite debatable. Aubery stood on the sidelines, watching the other, older, faster, and better players fly across, and Aubery felt a little doozy. Maybe she wasn't up for this. As the players flew around, quite a few of them fell, making Oliver Wood shake his head. 

At last, it was her turn. She rose up on a team, as the other Chasers looked at her, almost pityingly. Aubery didn't blame her. She was the smallest there, besides Harry.

"Go!" Oliver yells, throwing up a ball, immediately, everyone went diving in, and Aubery also followed but pulled downwards. She caught the ball quickly and hurtled off to the other side, as the other team kept blocking her. She looked over to Katie Bell, who was waving her hands around, and Aubery flew up and threw it at her.

Katie scored a goal, and Aubery smiles. Maybe it wasn't as bad as she thought. 

The second time, the other team got it, and Aubery, Katie, and two other kids narrowed in on the other Chaser. He tried to throw it to Alicia Spinnet, but Aubery quickly intercepted it. 

Swooping up, Aubery threw the ball to the other girl, who was the closest, and she tried to catch it, but was stopped by Angelina Johnson. 

Okay, maybe not. Aubery thought, as she definitely worked much harder, as the other Quidditch team, besides the Chasers were staring at the potential candidates. Not to mention the other crowd of children in the bleachers. 

Break time was among them, and Aubery quick grabbed some water, before meeting up with the rest of the potential Chasers.

"Alright, I want the following to stay. The rest, you may leave, or watch. Cassia Fields, Arya Lewin, Gilbert Holly, and Aubery Lupin." The rest of the people left, not before wishing the others well. One by one, the Chasers were tested, until it was Aubery's turn again. "First team to 50 wins, and is Chaser.

"Do the Broom Switcharoo." Fred whispers, before kicking off. Aubery taps on her broom impatiently, before kicking off, and the game started again. 10-10. 20-10, 30-30. The list went on and on, until they were neck in neck. One more score, and Aubery would be one step closer to being Chaser. However, it wasn't that easy. She had one more person to go, if she beat Cassia Little, which was Gilbert Holly. Her team won the game, after Aubery shot a goal.

Finallly, she was up against Gilbert.

"Good luck." Gilbert replies.

"You too. No hard feelings?" Aubery asks.

"No hard feelings." Gilbert nods.

And they were off. Gilbert was as good as Aubery, and they kept on trying to knock each other off their brooms. Finally, Gilbert was speeding toward her side's goal, and Aubery was just behind him. She took a deep breath, and stood up on her broom, before jumping on Gilbert's broom. Taking the Quaffle from his hands, she smiles, and jumps off, as Gilbert stares, open-mouthed at her, crashing into somewhere. Aubery sped past the other Chasers, and scored. She landed, and Oliver pronouncing her the new Chaser. 

She exchanged some "Good match." and "Nice job." to the other Chasers, before leaving.