As the final days of December drew to a close, Professor Flitwick managed to gather up the Christmas decorations accordingly, without much incident. The only other thing of not which happened was Draco confronting Setta in the library, on the final day of the month. Setta was busy getting some books for Hermione; her best friend had come down with Wizard's Flu in the aftermath of her cat transformation, and so Setta was getting her some books which she could use to occupy her time and augment her essays.

"Hey, Potteress," came the sneer of the Malfoy heir as he traipsed towards her table, which was covered in tomes of varying ages.

"Malfoy," Setta replied, not looking up, fully engrossed in a copy of Olde and Forgotten Bewitchments and Charms by E. Limus.

The Slytherin stepped forward, and plucked the book from Setta's hands. "How in Merlin's name do you expect to find anything interesting in here?" he demanded.

Setta, not rising to the bait, merely picked up another book in the vast piles—Extraordinary Trials in History by an unknown author. "That's the thing about books," she replied, never looking at him. "You can always find something interesting within their pages."

"The headmaster has a copy of that book," came the reply.

"I know," Setta responded, still plenty engrossed in it.

"What are you doing in here, anyhow?" he whined. "It's a lovely day outside..."

"You enjoy rain?" Setta quipped.

"Not... Not overtly so, no," the voice said, soft now. "But I don't dislike it. Professor Sprout's plants do need to grow..."

"Hmmm," Setta acknowledged. "Harry's out there, only because Oliver Wood managed to reserve the pitch today. I'm surprised Professor Snape didn't need to steal it again on your team's behalf."

"We're ready for the game," Draco said, and Setta could tell he was squirming.

"Not nervous, are you?" Setta asked, turning a page.

"Of course not," Draco snapped, growing impatient. "Ravenclaw's got nothing on us."

"If you say so," Setta responded.

"But there are loads of things to do around the castle," Draco said, pushing it now. "Why do you need to be in a dusty old library?"

"It's hardly dusty in here, and you know it, given that the house-elves, in Hogwarts' generous employ, go over it every night," Setta said, her voice neutral, as she slowly marked the page she'd been reading and looked up at Draco for the first time. "Why do you feel the need to question me about my schedule, or my whereabouts?"

Draco shuffled from foot to foot. "I suppose I'm just wondering what you're doing in here, on today of all days, is all."

"If you must know, and, clearly, you must," Setta said, fighting with her impatience as she gathered up some books to take out, "I was getting some books for Hermione, because she's in the hospital wing."

"Can't the Mud—"

Quickly taking not of their surroundings, and noticing that Madam Pince, nor other students or professors appeared to be around, Setta set down her books and felt her wand fall into her hand, before she pinned Draco up against one of the bookshelves, wand pointed at his neck. "I'd guard my tongue if I was you, Draco Malfoy," she said, her voice never rising above a threatening whisper, her eyes never leaving his. "Wouldn't want someone to sprout tentacles out of their face again, would they?"

Draco paled as he shook Setta off him. "It was you!" he hissed, pointing a finger at her, although his arm was shaking. "You're the one who..."

Setta gave him a small smile. "I've no idea what you're insinuating," she replied calmly, picking up her books again. "Just know that I, or any other Gryffindors, or Muggleborns in this school, for that matter, not to mention the professors with sense, wouldn't take too kindly to that hateful word passing through your lips. Good day, Mr. Malfoy," she said, turning on her heel and leaving the library.

~*~

"You really don't have to," Setta said softly, knowing entirely well that she was sounding like a broken record. "You've only just recovered from your bout of..."

Hermione turned to look at Setta and affixed her with an impatient look. "Have your godfathers been inoculated?"

Setta pursed her lips. "Yes, but..."

"And you, Harry, and Ron have been as well."

Setta crossed her arms. "We have, but Hermione..."

"And, as you well know, I myself have finally been inoculated, and Madam Pomfrey has informed me that I can leave the hospital wing," Hermione said, crossing her arms and leaning up against the foot of the bed that she'd been occupying since the Christmas holidays.

"But Madam Pomfrey told you to rest," Setta said, in an attempt to be persuasive, although she knew entirely well that it came across as whining.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's not like we'll be leaving the castle; we can't go to Hogsmeade until next year," she said, still sounding impatient. "We'll likely be in the Great Hall or the Gryffindor common room. Madam Pomfrey said that, as long as I don't go outside or over-exert myself, I'll be all right."

Setta looked away. "I suppose..."

"Hey," Hermione said, reaching out and gently squeezing Setta's arm. "Something underlying is bothering you here. Please, just tell me what's going on."

Setta swallowed before looking back up at her closest friend. "Other than the fact that the last time Harry and I saw Remus, he locked us away and forbade us for ever coming back here, and that the two of them refuse to believe that our dad's parenting us all wrong... Not to mention the fact that they think extravagant gifts will get them back into our good books..."

"All right, I see your point," Hermione said, nodding in understanding. "Wouldn't it be better if Ron and I were there, then? We can act like a buffer..."

"More you than Ron," Setta replied, scoffing slightly. "Ron'll just eat whatever the house-elves serve us and Ginny will just sit there and be quiet."

"Ginny's coming?" Hermione asked. "We haven't seen much of her. She didn't even want to spend any time with me while I was in here..."

"I know, and I'm worried about her," Setta said, considering the girl that had always been like a sister to her, before meeting Hermione, when she had gained another. "She's usually so talkative and happy about everything. Ever since we got back from Diagon Alley, Ron's said that she's just gone quiet and won't even engage. It's a miracle that Professor McGonagall hasn't come to us and said that her schoolwork is suffering."

"Maybe she's just nervous about being here," Hermione said helpfully.

"I doubt it," Setta responded, shaking her head. "She was practically crying when Harry, Ron, and I, plus Fred and George, left the platform for our first year and their third. Fred and George even promised to send her a toilet seat."

Hermione looked affronted. "They didn't, did they?"

"Considering that they're not familiar with Shrinking Spells, or potentially keeping hazardous smells at bay, I doubt it," Setta informed her.

Hermione covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. "Well, maybe Sirius and Remus can at least attempt to bring her out of her shell today," she replied. "Maybe some familiar adult faces will help her at least smile."

Setta nodded reluctantly, and permitted Hermione to lead her out of the hospital wing and down the corridor; they were meeting Sirius and Remus in the Great Hall, with Harry, Ron, and Ginny meeting them there first, given that Setta had volunteered to meet Hermione first for her release from the hospital wing. Once down the staircase and in the Entrance Hall, they promptly entered the Great Hall and saw their party scattered about the Gryffindor table. Ron, as per usual, was eating from the platter of biscuits; Harry was doing his best to make awkward conversation; Sirius and Remus were likely telling tall tales; and Ginny was staring into a small, leather-bound journal, clutching it as if for dear life.

Setta hesitated in the doorway, wanting to make a break for it, but hesitated when she felt the calming sense of Hermione's hand on her arm.

"I'll be right here," her closest friend whispered.

Setta jerkily nodded her head and stepped inside, grimacing as both Sirius and Remus leapt to their feet at the sight of her. "Sirius, Remus," she said, no warmth in her greeting at all, and her face remaining stoic. The pair of them immediately seemed to rush forward, and Setta drew back and away from them, sticking out her hand.

"None of that, now, Setta," Sirius said, and proceeded to step closer.

"No," Setta said firmly. "Don't."

"Setta, it doesn't have to be this way," Remus said, in an effort to sound polite, but nevertheless held up his hands in surrender. "It turns out that Snape had given me the wrong combination of ingredients in my Wolfsbane, and that's why I reacted the way I did last summer."

"That's right," Sirius said, nodding persuasively. "Snape has always had it out for the two of us, and likely now the two of you. Don't let his mistakes cloud our relationship."

"So that gives you license to lock us up, threaten us, and forbid us to come to logical conclusions about the neglect we're forced to suffer at the hands of our father?!" Setta demanded, her magic crackling around her as she struggled to contain her rage as she glared at the pair of them.

"Professor Snape was trying to save me last year, you know," Harry said through gritted teeth as he got to his feet, circled around the table, and came to stand beside Setta. "My broom was being jinxed by Quirrell—who later tried to kill us, need I remind you," he went on, "and Professor Snape was saying the Counter Curse."

"Not to mention that he got rid of that snake during the dueling club fiasco," Setta said, her voice dripping with anger. "Even I wouldn't know how to get rid of it. I would just know how to talk it down, which Harry and I did, not that it did any good."

"It seems to me that you're looking for any excuse possible to use Professor Snape as a scapegoat for your own mistakes," Hermione said, glaring up at the two men. "The fact that you won't permit Setta and Harry to form their own opinions about their father is simply asinine. It speaks volumes about it, given that you resort to total and complete hero worship when it comes to James Potter, and it blinds you to form even coherent opinions about him. Look at what it's doing to his children, or don't you care?"

"You wouldn't believe how tortured they looked, when we finally got them out of there," Ron said resolutely, appearing at Harry's other side, the plate of biscuits forgotten, and Setta noticed that Ginny had slipped out from the Great Hall, unseen, at some point or other. "Fred and George can attest to it. They didn't even want to eat, but had to, because Mum is so bloody persuasive when it comes to that sort of thing. You really hurt the two of them, and you can't just repair the damage by sweeping it under the rug, or by blaming other people."

Sirius stiffened. "Please tell me that Snivellus hasn't...influenced the two of you against us, your family..."

"James Potter, and the pair of you, by extension, are no longer our family," Setta snapped, her control long since gone, glaring daggers at the pair of them. "Harry and I disowned him earlier this year; Arthur and Molly Weasley are our parents now."

"You would actually disrespect the memory of your mother?" Remus asked, seemingly shocked by Setta's declaration.

"We only have one clear memory of her!" Harry shouted. "One we'd not wish to relive anytime soon, thank you very much."

"How can we disrespect her when we didn't even know her?" Setta whispered, tears entering her eyes as she trembled, trying and failing to keep the sobs at bay. "We know she loved us, but we can't ever talk to her, not really. We love her too, always, but we also know that we need to have a semblance of moving on, and allowing ourselves to love and be loved. We can't lock away our feelings and keep childish prejudices, for that would ensure an incomplete life."

Sirius glared down at her. "James won't be happy to hear this."

"Oh, planning to run to him?" Harry sneered. "Run to him and inform him that his little puppets aren't playing by the rules?"

"We saw the cameras, you know," Setta said, trembling with absolute rage.

Remus blinked. "Cameras? What are you...?"

"The cameras in Diagon Alley," Harry said, all his patience gone.

"They were tipped off whenever we'd go there, and would follow us like some goddamned pointer dog," Setta said, speaking all the while through gritted teeth. "Dad would employ them to snap pictures of us all together, to exude to the public that he was father of the year or something. It was disgusting."

Sirius shook his head. "James would never..."

"Oh, wouldn't he?" Harry demanded. "He never spends any time with us, unless he has something to gain from it."

Remus looked dumbfounded. "I don't think he would..."

"He would," Setta said, the candles flickering from overhead, as her magic attempted to extinguish them all, due to her anger at their inability to believe her.

Sirius appeared as if he would protest further, but his face became a mask as he relaxed completely, knowing when he was losing a battle. "Remus and I are going on a mission for the headmaster," he said at last. "We thought we would stop by and see you before we left. We will leave the day after tomorrow," he said, and, without looking back, moved to leave the Great Hall, with Remus trailing behind him.

~*~

"It was Hagrid."

"Hagrid opened the Chamber of Secrets fifty years ago."

In the aftermath of finding the diary in Myrtle's bathroom, and being sucked into it, Harry and Setta had had trouble sleeping. Not to mention the boys' dormitory being torn apart, and Neville running to them to report the news. There was a telltale magical signature permeating the space—Harry's bedding had been thrashed, his pillows shredded, and his books torn. Hedwig was tentatively gripping her perch close by the bed, her yellow eyes wild, clearly terrified by the turn of events. The diary, Harry quickly informed them, was gone, leading them to believe that it was what the person was seeking when they trashed Harry's area of the dormitory.

Setta palmed the book she was supposed to be reading for History of Magic; she had thought that the library would be a good alternative than Professor McGonagall's study room, or the Gryffindor common room. The rumors that she and Harry were the joint heirs of Salazar Slytherin hadn't stopped, despite the headmaster's support that they had nothing to do with the students who wound up petrified. The student body didn't seem to care, and were plenty content to continue to spread the rumors.

Setta finally had had enough, and dove into her bag, her forehead puckering as she felt for the letter, one of two that Hedwig had brought her and Harry at breakfast that morning. Grimacing, she broke the Potter family seal and spread out its contents. She knew it would be a reprimand from her father as soon as she'd seen his handwriting on the front of the envelope.

Setta,

I must admit that I am appalled by the report I received from Sirius and Remus in the aftermath of their visit to Hogwarts nearly a fortnight ago. I don't understand what possessed you to act cold upon their arrival. Nor did I raise you, or your brother, to treat people so ill. I cannot understand what your godfathers could have done to upset you both so.

You will write both of them personally at once, apologizing for your recent behavior. Do not take out your rage on them. I'm sure that Snape marks your work harshly, but take up your differences of opinion with him, and not with your godfathers. They have done nothing but love you and be there for you, and to be rewarded by your harsh words, not to mention inappropriate behavior, is unacceptable.

I am afraid that if you don't apologize and quickly, both you and Harry may find yourselves in an unfortunate location come summer. That means no Burrow, no going off to the Grangers house, and certainly no other friends you've made—this includes the Lovegood girl who lives close by the Burrow.

Remember who you are, joint heir to the House of Potter, Peverell, and Black, and I did not raise you to behave any less. Make me proud, not ashamed to know you.

Your father,

James Potter

Setta felt the rage flowing through her again, and she hastily took out a clean piece of parchment and a quill, plus its ink companion.

Sir,

I cannot understand why you yourself would write to me, as I have made it abundantly clear that you are no longer my father. I know that Harry thinks the same way of you, so by blatantly disregarding our feelings shows how truly out of touch you are. I am surprised at you, but, then again, should I be really?

You have singlehandedly brought about nothing but devastation and anger when it comes to your relationship with Harry and myself. You most certainly did not raise us, as the task fell to Arthur and Molly Weasley, who did an excellent job. This was done no thanks to you, and the only use you do seem to have is providing material items for the two of us.

I have made it clear, as has Harry, that we don't want to see or hear from you anymore. I will gladly get second-hand books and robes, if this is the sacrifice that is necessary. All I care about at this point in time is my real family—the Weasleys, as well as the Grangers—and my education, for, in the latter, I can get far in life. Far away from you, if need be.

Don't you dare make idle threats. Considering that you don't know Harry or I very well, you've no idea what we're capable of, especially together. Leave us alone. I will not tell you to do so a third time.

As for Sirius and Remus, their blinded hero worship of you has become too sickening to watch. I will always turn them away, until they can at least attempt to understand where Harry and I are coming from. Friendship goes a long way, and I can understand their loyalty to you, but to turn their back on differing opinions is where they have problems.

I am not your daughter, and only carry your surname by force.

Sincerely,

Setta Potter

Setta angrily folded the letter, knowing she would have to get back to her dormitory to find an envelope and her copy of the Potter seal. Shaking her head, she gathered up her books and the rest of her belongings, spelling the ink off her fingers as she went. As she furiously packed up, she felt the hairs upon her body stand on end, goosebumps cropping up within the space between, and slowly looked up.

"Trouble in paradise?"

Setta narrowed her eyes at Draco Malfoy, their last conversation not forgotten. She slung her bag onto her shoulder and made to push past him. "I'm really not in the mood."

"Your face is as dark as a thundercloud," he continued, following her out of the library. "It's easy to spot when there's family trouble."

Setta scoffed, but didn't turn around to look at him. "We're not having this conversation."

"Purebloods are stifling when it comes to tradition, even though they're usually right," he went on, and Setta bit at the insides of her cheeks to keep from hexing him. "Too bad your father's a Blood Traitor."

Setta whirled around and faced him, glaring. "He may be a terrible father, but he's still mine to insult. Mine and Harry's only."

Draco chuckled at that, his silver eyes sparkling. "Did he do something to upset you?"

Setta trembled with rage. "As I said before, we're not discussing this."

"Perhaps a one-way conversation, then," Draco said, smirking. "You can give me non-verbal signs as to what he's doing to you to make you so angry."

Setta let out a noise of frustration and turned her back on him. "You're the last person I'd want to talk to about anything sensitive," she informed him, trudging down the corridor again, and swearing internally when she heard him rushing to keep pace with her. "Considering that you're the least sensitive person out there, it would be inappropriate."

"Hey, I'm plenty sensitive," Draco said, reaching out and grabbing ahold of her shoulder, and anchored her to face him.

Suddenly, Setta drew her wand and stuck it into his neck, and effortlessly pinned him against the wall with her free hand. "Don't you ever touch me," she growled through her teeth. "I would hate for my wolf to come out to play."

"W-wolf?" Draco stammered, clearly thrown for a loop.

"Precisely," Setta responded, pleased to have the upper hand now. "So unless you want to explain a wolf bite to Madam Pomfrey, I suggest you keep your hands to yourself."

Draco tried and failed to get out of her grip. "You and that filthy Mudblood friend of yours will get what's coming to you—"

Setta jammed her wand further into Draco's neck. "Other than keeping your hands to yourself, you will keep your racist comments inside that prejudiced mouth," she said, feeling her wolf at the forefront of her mind, struggling to gain control of the situation. "Leave me alone, leave Hermione alone, leave my brother alone, and leave the Weasleys and the rest of my friends alone, while you're at it. Just. Stop. Bothering. Us."

Draco seemed to visibly tremble at her words, before he finally managed to wriggle away from her, his eyes filling with anger. "My father will hear about this!" he cried out, straightening and smoothing his robes.

"Good!" Setta shouted after him as he fled. "Maybe he can teach you to keep your hands to yourself while he's at it!"

~*~

It had been a harrowing day during the second Quidditch match of term, wherein Setta, Ron, and Hermione had been convinced that another rogue Bludger would be hitting Harry. Thankfully, he escaped the match relatively unscathed, and beat Hufflepuff 380 – 190. Fred and George organized a celebration with Oliver Wood in the Gryffindor common room after the game, although Professor McGonagall broke it up shortly thereafter.

Between ignoring her letters from her father, keeping up with coursework and studying with Hermione, Setta had a rather full schedule. With the news that Gryffindor and Ravenclaw would engage in a mock match to decide the eligibility of who would progress to the final matches to win the Quidditch Cup, Setta and Hermione found the entire institution ridiculous. While Setta enjoyed the game, it was the whole competition aspect that annoyed her, and she believed that Oliver Wood took the entirety of it all much too seriously.

On the day the match arrived, Setta and Ron were in the Great Hall, with Harry going down to the changing rooms to ready himself for the match itself. Hermione had gone to the library, as per usual, and Setta was attempting to get Ron to look over his potions essay. Ron, meanwhile, was much too preoccupied with the platter of sausage rolls before him.

"Ron, please," Setta begged, clearly growing impatient. "You know entirely well that Professor Snape will check our progress come Monday, and you haven't even decided tactic you're going to use in your essay."

"Which one are you doing, then?" Ron demanded, mouth full.

Setta rolled her eyes. "You know entirely well that the subject matter is Flobberworm mucus and its use in potions," she said testily. She had decided weeks ago to focus on healing potions, while Harry was going to discuss its use in the departments of the Ministry of Magic, and Hermione had decided on its comparative properties to other plants. "Come on, Ron. We've an entire book on the subject of potions, with an entire section about ingredients. The footnotes tell us what books we can seek out as well..."

"Is that what you're reading, then?" Ron asked, peering at the spine of Setta's book.

"Yes," Setta huffed, pulling her recently acquired copy of Medicinal Potions Ingredients and Their Uses more closely to her. "It's been quite beneficial and informative."

Ron looked pleased, and reached for it. "I'll do healing potions, too!"

"No, you won't!" Setta said, yanking the book out of his reach—the last thing she wanted was sausage grease permeating it. "Professor Snape will know I've helped you. The only help I can give is pointing you in the direction of a book." Sighing, she pulled out one of her bag that she'd gotten him out of the library the day before.

"Quidditch Accidents and Potions Essentials?" Ron demanded, actually excited for a change, and tore the book out of her hands.

"Yes," Setta replied, relieved that Madam Pince had Protective Enchantments on all the books in the Hogwarts Library, thus keeping them clean and unable to get damaged. "I think you'll get some use out of it." She was about to speak further, before turning at the hurried footsteps beside them, and spotted Professor McGonagall leaving a shocked Harry. "Professor?" Setta asked, and got to her feet, spelling her books back into her bag. "What's going on?"

"The match has been cancelled," she informed them both, as Ron too made an effort to gather up his belongings. "Mr. Potter and I came to find the pair of you."

"Us, professor?" Ron asked, mercifully not with his mouth full this time as he looked from their Head of House, to Harry, and back again. "What's going on? And why has the match against Ravenclaw been cancelled? You can't cancel Quidditch!"

"I believe I just did, Mr. Weasley," Professor McGonagall replied, obviously attempting to keep her temper with him. "Come along, the three of you." Without waiting for further questions, she ushered them out of the Great Hall, and Setta was shocked when she realized they were heading in the direction of the hospital wing.

Saying nothing, Setta hurried to keep pace with their Head of House, nearly toppling over her as they entered Madam Pomfrey's domain. She stumbled slightly then, as a familiar figure in one of the beds caught her complete attention. She rushed forward, nearly tripping as she did so, and dropped her bag in the process, Hermione's glassy expression taking in everything and yet seeing nothing.

"Hermione," Setta breathed, rushing to one side of the bed, and clutching at her hand, relieved when neither Professor McGonagall, nor Madam Pomfrey, stopped her.

"She was found near the library," Professor McGonagall was saying, and Setta forced herself to look away from her best friend and towards the Transfiguration professor. "Along with this," the woman continued, lifting up a decorative mirror, and Setta nearly staggered backwards. "Does it mean anything to either of you?"

"No," Harry said softly.

"Yes," Setta said after a moment.

"Does it belong to Miss Granger, then, Miss Potter?" Professor McGonagall asked.

Setta shook her head. "No, ma'am. It belongs to Penelope Clearwater. We... The three of us sometimes share a table in the library, while studying. She... Hermione asked to borrow it." She kept her mouth shut about their further investigations into the advanced tomes of the Hogwarts Library, knowing entirely well that Professor McGonagall, the headmaster, or other Heads of Houses would likely put a stop to it.

"Ah, well, then," Professor McGonagall said, handing the mirror over to Setta. "Perhaps you could return the mirror to Miss Clearwater."

Setta nodded. "Of course, professor," she whispered.

Setta was numb throughout the rest of the day, although Penelope did thank her for returning her mirror to her. She said nothing about what Hermione could have possibly borrowed it for, and Setta was relieved that the sixth-year Ravenclaw didn't ask. Penelope seemed plenty distracted as of late, but Setta didn't care enough to figure out why.

After dinner had been eaten in the Great Hall that evening, sans Hermione, Setta, Harry, and Ron all sat in the window seat of the Gryffindor common room. They didn't even attempt a came of Wizards' Chess or Exploding Snap, instead content to sit in silence together. Ron was even making an effort to look at the book that Setta had gotten for him, but even she could tell that his heart wasn't really in it.

The portrait door opened a few moments later, and Professor McGonagall stood there, looking quite grave. She held a scroll securely in her hand, something that Setta had never seen her doing outside the sorting. "Could I have your attention, please?" she asked, unfurling the thing as she stepped into the center of the room. "Because of recent events, these new rules will be put into effect immediately: All students must return to their house common rooms at six o'clock every evening. All students will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No exceptions," she said firmly to them all, at once losing the air of professionalism as her voice turned gentle. "I should tell you this: Unless the culprit behind these attacks is caught, it is likely the school will be closed," she said softly, before turning on her heel and leaving the room.

"We've got to talk to Hagrid," Setta said quietly, once their Head of House had left. "I can't believe it's him..."

"But if he did set the monster loose last time," Harry continued, "he'll know how to get into the Chamber of Secrets. That's a start."

"But you heard McGonagall," Ron said quickly, and Setta smirked at him, for, clearly, he was attempting to be the voice of reason, now that Hermione was missing. "We're not allowed to leave the tower except for class."

Setta turned and looked at Harry, who locked eyes with her. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking, brother?" she asked, grinning.

Harry nodded at her, before they both turned to face Ron. "I think it's time to get our dad's old cloak out again."

"Good thing he's good for something," Setta muttered.

Ron even managed a grin himself. "Hermione would be so proud," he said, nodding with a sudden burst of approval.

"Just don't step on our feet this time," Setta laughed.