"Mind explaining yourself?"

"Bloody hell." Vidalia rubbed her temples with her thumb and middle finger. Her spell hadn't entirely worked. Someone had seen her.

"'Dalia?" asked Peter.

"I'm not happy with you guys," Vidalia said. "You're bullies, all four of you!"

"You're not happy with us? At least we were honest with you from the get go!" said Sirius.

Vidalia frowned.

"Yeah, why didn't you just tell us you're a time traveler?" James inquired, making Vidalia pause.

"Wait—" she smirked, forgetting all about the whole fiasco downstairs. "You think I'm a time traveler?"

James eyed the other three. "Isn't that what we agreed she was?"

"That's what you said she was, genius," said Remus.

James frowned.

"I'm not a time traveler. I don't have anything to time travel with."

"Then what are you?" asked Peter quietly.

"A lot of things— you guys wouldn't understand."

"What do you mean we—" James was cut off when Gryffindor students began filing into the Common Room, all of them giddy over various things. The boys all turned back to see that Vidalia had disappeared.

While everyone was starting to celebrate in the Common Room over Gryffindor's first Quidditch victory, Vidalia curled up on the window ledge while Spur made himself at home in the nest of curls atop 'Dalia's head.

"I wish there was such a thing as homeschool," the girl frowned. Her yellow eyes shimmered as the sun began sinking behind the tops of the trees.

A fluttering noise caught her off guard and she whirled her head around to see what it was. A little parchment bird had made its way in. It stiffened and fell lightly into her lap. Carefully, Vidalia unfolded the bird.

Come to boys' dorm in 20. It'll just be me and you

—Sirius

Vidalia frowned. She couldn't face him. But she couldn't just stop talking to her friends.

"What do I do, Spur?"

Spur made a noise of disapproval, as if he understood everything that was going on.

"Yeah, you're no help."

Vidalia sighed and got up from her rather uncomfortable spot by the window. She changed slowly into a pair of pajama shorts and a long t-shirt. Her knitted-socks kept her feet warm against the cold stone floor as she made her way down the stairs. She passed a few girls on her way down, older students on their way up to either gossip in private or have a bit more quiet to study.

Vidalia easily slipped into the Common Room unnoticed as the whole Quidditch team was still bustling with excitement. James was in the center of it all, excited to be talking with the team. Remus and Peter were tucked away in the corner, paying no mind to the celebrating going on.

She sneaked over toward the boys' staircase and made her way up slowly to the dorms. She'd never been up here before. As she closed in on the first year dorm, she was greeted by the smell of dirty socks. Boys definitely live up here, she thought with her nose scrunched.

She knocked.

"Come in," a voice called. 'Dalia pushed the door open and stepped inside. Sirius was sitting on his bed, flipping through a book with a velvety maroon cover. Her gold eyes widened as she read the title in the dim lighting: Third Eyes: The History of Seers.

Why did Sirius, of all people, have a book like that? Before Vidalia could make the decision to run back out, Sirius had already jumped to his feet and crossed the room. He closed the door behind his friend and grabbed her hand, pulling her further into the room.

"Okay, don't freak out."

"I'm totally about to freak out," Vidalia gushed, her eyes still wide with horror.

"'Dalia, listen to me," Sirius said slowly. "I've heard a lot of things around Hogwarts about what you can do. Someone put this book into my bag. I don't even know where it came from."

Vidalia didn't know why she was so shocked. She was surprised the boys hadn't figured it out sooner. Maybe it was because Sirius was better at reading people than the others? Peter didn't much pay attention, James' ego was far too big to listen to rumors, and Remus was often in his own little world.

Regardless, she knew they were bound to figure her out sooner than later. She just hoped she'd have her friends a little longer.

"So, you wanted me to come up here so you could tell me how much of a freak I am, right?"

Sirius' eyebrows knitted together. "No." His voice sounded offended, like he couldn't believe she would assume such a thing. "Why—"

"Because that's what everyone does. You know, I used to be really good about not getting bothered by other people's comments. But when you go your whole life without a single friend besides a bloody bowtruckle, you sort of realize that maybe you're always going to be that person that everyone looks down on.

"You and the other guys were the first ones to ever give me a chance."

"Vidalia, believe it or not, I know what it's like not having friends."

Vidalia was shocked to hear this. Sirius, along with partner-in-crime James, often found themselves the center of attention. Sirius seemed like that kid who made friends wherever he went. She hadn't heard much about his home life, just that his parents were well off and he was the first in his family to be in Gryffindor.

"I'm sort of a freak, too, I guess," Sirius said with a sly grin. "I don't believe in blood purity like my parents. I want everyone to have equal rights, whether they come from a magical family or not. To my parents, I'm a blood traitor.

"If you got to know every single person in this castle, I guarantee you you won't meet a single normal witch or wizard. No matter what the tell you. We've all got something weird."

"Have the kids in your neighborhood made up silly songs about you?"

Sirius grinned lightly. "No, I guess not. But it doesn't matter. You're a witch who can make predictions."

"Well, that's not exactly the weird part," 'Dalia said, wringing her hands. "I make predictions based on the moon."

Sirius looked confused. "Well that's pretty bloody cool," he said. "How do you do it?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I just do. I can stare at the moon for awhile and then I get visions in my head of stuff happening. It happens a lot when I'm dreaming."

"Do they come true a lot?"

Vidalia nodded. "All the weather ones so far. Most of my predictions happen in the far future, though so I really have no control over that. The only thing is, every little thing we do effects something else. If the cards are all played right, predictions come true. If not, they make me and other seers look crazy."

"So... it's a fate thing?"

"Yeah, kinda. It's like the butterfly effect, you know? The flap of a butterfly's wings can cause an earthquake somewhere around the world. That's why having seer abilities is so hard because we can see the world in shambles and we don't know what's going to cause it most of the time."

"You're misunderstood people," Sirius said, taking a seat on his bed. His drapes were scarlet, just like in the girls' dorms.

"My mother's a seer, too," Vidalia said. "She adopted me when I was only a baby. My real parents left me on her doorstep. I think they knew I'd be better off with her."

"That could be a butterfly effect," Sirius said, his mind in space. "If you'd have stayed with your birth parents, maybe you'd be in some other House. Maybe you wouldn't even be at Hogwarts at all."

Vidalia nodded. "Yeah. I don't care that I was adopted. My mother has given me an amazing life." She took a seat on the bed beside Sirius.

"Listen..." she started, the corners of her mouth turning downward in a frown. "I love the other boys, but I really don't want them knowing everything. I know they'll find out eventually, but I don't want them knowing just yet. I'm still not quite comfortable with you knowing."

"Hey, don't worry. I won't tell them as long as you don't want me to. Even if we stopped being friends for some reason, your secret is safe with me."

"Thank you," Vidalia said, smiling for the first time since the Quidditch match earlier that day. "Thanks for being my friend."

"Thanks for being mine," Sirius said.

* * *

The autumn months ended and snow finally covered the Hogwarts grounds like a thick, cold blanket. The group had found themselves enjoying snowball fights and making bewitched snowmen in the courtyard to chase around other students. Of course, the young wizards (and witch) were still amateurs, so the snowmen really didn't move too far.

Cosima has sent Vidalia a knitted hat and mittens, which she had made with Gryffindor colors. James loved them so much that Vidalia had to write back to her mother straight away asking for another set.

Cosima was so excited that Vidalia had made friends that she got straight to work knitting sets for all four boys. She even sent a teeny, tiny knitted cylinder, which looked as though it could be a sweater for a pinky. This was a jumper for Spur.

Christmas was right around the corner. First and second years weren't allowed to go on trips to Hogsmeade, so there was no way for the students to buy presents. Luckily, Vidalia could find stuff in her mother's shop over holidays.

Vidalia, Peter, and Remus were all returning home for Christmas, but Sirius hadn't wanted to return and James made the decision to stay at Hogwarts to keep his friend company. The two boys constantly pestered the other three, trying to convince them to stay as well. Peter finally gave in, but Remus was adamant he return home.

"But what's in Fiddlemere, anyway?" James droned as the students huddled together in the cold outside corridors as they traveled between classes.

"River Piddle," Vidalia corrected.

"Oh, right. Home of the Piddlemeres."

"I don't know. That's where my mum is and she'd be all by herself for the holidays if I didn't go home," she explained. "No one should be alone on Christmas. That's why you're staying here with Sirius, and I should return home."

"I guess that makes sense," James pouted. "But next year—"

"James, mate, next year is next year," said Sirius. James grinned.

"I'm sorry, I just get so excited about Christmas. I just wanted all my friends around."

"Maybe we'll stay for Easter," Remus piped, smiling gently.

James grinned, seemingly pleased by this plan and he finally dropped the subject.

Down in Potions, the classroom was unbearably cold. Vidalia's teeth chattered as Professor Slughorn was teaching them about the Forgetfulness Potion. They had this class with Slytherin, which James and Sirius constantly griped about.

As the students were left to start making their potions, Sirius and James buddied up. Remus and Peter partnered up, as well, leaving Vidalia on her own.

"Hey, you wanna partner up?" A voice said, an accompanying finger giving her a light tap on the shoulder. Vidalia turned and was greeted by a girl about her size. Vidalia had seen her around the Gryffindor Common Room, but had never introduced herself. She knew that she hung out with Lily Evans, who was currently partnered with Snape.

"Sure," Vidalia said, smiling at the girl. The two stood together by Vidalia's cauldron and watched as Slughorn wrote down the text page number on the chalkboard.

"I'm Marlene," the girl said, flipping her book to the correct page. "I see you running around with James and the other guys."

"Yeah, they kind of drag me around everywhere," Vidalia grinned. "I'm Vidalia, by the way."

"I've heard about you," Marlene said and Vidalia's heart sank. Great, was this girl going to start teasing her too? "Some kid was being a knobhead and I told him off. He asked if I knew you and I said, no I don't have to. She's in my House and I'm gonna stick up for her."

"Wow," Vidalia said. She didn't know what to say. This girl that she didn't even know was sticking up for her simply because they were both in Gryffindor. "Thank you, really."

"Hey, don't mind them, alright? Anyone who gives you a hard time— it's likely they're jealous. You're probably this super cool chick and they're a bunch of lame dodo heads," Marlene explained. She gave Vidalia a dimply grin, which Vidalia returned.

The two worked on, giggling every so often about something. The two were quite similar, but also very different. Marlene came from a well-known family full of witches and wizards and lived in the outskirts of London. Vidalia didn't know where she came from, but was brought up by an elderly witch in a small countryside town, just a few fields away from Newt Scamander.

Marlene was effortlessly pretty. Vidalia couldn't help but smile, like making one more friend was just what she needed before end of term.

After class, Marlene invited Vidalia to sit with her and Lily Evans at lunch.

"Well, I sit with—"

"Hey, they can join," Marlene shrugged as Lily joined them outside the class. Remus and Peter exited after her with Sirius and James trailing behind.

"I told you to just let me do it," James said. "I'm good in Potions. I know what I'm talking about." Sirius looked disgruntled.

As Severus Snape came barreling out of Slughorn's class, he tripped over something, landing face first on the hard floor, his books and notes flying everywhere. James and Sirius cried with laughter while Marlene giggled. Lily struggled to help Severus, but he pushed her away. She stumbled backward, looking hurt.

"Hey, don't push her," Marlene snapped at Snape.

"Leave him alone," said Lily angrily as Snape finally collected his things and stormed away.

"Lily—" Marlene began, but Lily was clearly upset by the whole thing.

"I'm going to the library," Lily said quietly before leaving briskly down the corridor.

Vidalia turned to Sirius and James, giving them accusatory glares.

"He tripped over my foot. It was an accident, honest," said Sirius with not a hint of guilt.

Vidalia frowned and turned away, starting down the corridor for lunch on her own. Marlene caught up with her quickly.

"Hey," she said. "Don't mind them. You can't teach boys manners. They either learn it themselves, or not at all."

"They're causing way more trouble than they need to be," Vidalia said. "I just want everyone to get along."

Marlene was silent for a few seconds. "You'd have made a great Hufflepuff," she said finally. Vidalia couldn't help but grin.

"I feel needed in Gryffindor," Vidalia said.

"How do you mean?"

"I can't explain it. I just... feel at home here I guess." Vidalia felt like she had said too much. She didn't want Marlene to know of her abilities. Not that she wouldn't find out eventually, but, for right now, she was fine with only letting Sirius know.

"Well, I'm glad. Because you fit right in."

"I'm glad someone thinks so," Vidalia smiled.

By the time the boys caught up, Vidalia had nearly forgotten about their squabble with Snape and happily joined them for lunch. Marlene joined them and it wasn't long before she was arguing with James about Quidditch teams.

"She's like a female James," said Sirius.

"She has more humility than James," said Vidalia, poking her sandwich with a carrot stick.

Remus reaches across the table for the pitcher of pumpkin juice, his hand accidentally bumping Vidalia's. At this very brief exchange, Vidalia's eyes glossed over and her mouth fell agape.

"'Dalia?" James asked, noticing something very odd going on with her friend.

"Darkness brews and without your moon, you will be left in utter destruction, for the evils of dark will win without the light to defeat it. Those who are weak will seek darkness, and those brave enough to fight it will parish, but all with dignity in the name of freedom."

Vidalia's voice was deep, like it didn't even belong to her. As her eyes returned to their normal color, Vidalia's head fell to the table with a deafening crash.

"Vidalia!" Remus cried out.

Marlene jumped up from the table and ran down the aisle to grab Professor McGonagall's attention as Remus and Sirius tried desperately to wake Vidalia.

McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Madam Pomphrey, the school nurse, came rushing toward them after Marlene. By now, there was a sizable crowd gathered around Vidalia.

"Out of the way," McGonagall said as she moved students to the side. Madam Pomphrey took Vidalia's hand.

"She'll be okay. We need to get her to the hospital wing."

"Professor McGonagall, will you please go in search of Professor Finkley," Dumbledore said, his voice calm, but his eyes showing signs of concern. McGonagall wicked away at once, off toward the Astronomy tower corridor, where the Divination Professor could be found.

With the help of his wand Dumbledore was able to lift Vidalia from her seat and he and Madam Pomphrey headed to the hospital wing.