"I knew it!" Ron yells, punching the air. "You always get away with stuff!" Harry had just returned with the news everything was okay.

"They were bound to clear you," Hermione says,"There was no case against you, none at all..."

 "Everyone seems quite relieved, though, considering they all knew I'd get off," Harry says smiling.

  "You want the truth Potter?" I ask him her nods, "I thought you were getting expelled so they could shut you up. But you didn't... so congrats!"

"He got off, he got off, he got off—" The twins, Ginny, and I chant.

"That's enough, settle down!" Mr. Weasley shouts, "Listen, Sirius, Lucius Malfoy was at the Ministry—"

"What?" Sirius says sharply I stop and look over at they.

"He got off, he got off, he got off—"

"Be quiet, you three! Yes, we saw him talking to Fudge on level nine, then they went up to Fudge's office together. Dumbledore ought to know."

"Absolutely," Sirius says, "We'll tell him, don't worry. Got that Y/n?" 

"Yeah," I mumble as I get up from the table and move to the desk. I pull out the parchment on Lucius and add the note.

"Well, I'd better get going, there's a vomiting toilet in Bethnal Green waiting for me. Molly, I'll be late, I'm covering for Tonks, but Kingsley might be dropping in for dinner—" I stuff the note away in my books as I look to Sirius and sigh.

"He got off, he got off, he got off—"

"That's enough—Fred—George—Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley says, as Mr. Weasley leaves the kitchen. "Harry dear, come and sit down, have some lunch, you hardly ate breakfast..." I keep at the desk and shuffle through the notes.

"'Course, once Dumbledore turned up on your side, there was no way they were going to convict you," Ron says happily, now dishing great mounds of mashed potatoes onto everyone's plates.

"Yeah, he swung it for me," Harry says, to say, "I wish he'd talked to me, though. Or even looked at me."

"What's up?" Hermione asks, looking alarmed.

"Scar," Harry mumbled. "But it's nothing... It happens all the time now..."

"All the time?" I ask Harry as I turn from the pages. "Tell me things like that okay?" He nods as I highlight some names. "Damn I really wish I could use magic right now."

"Why?" Ron asks.

"So I could make these books fly over to smack your sibblings in the face so they'll shut up!" I yell as they continue to chant.

"I bet Dumbledore turns up this evening to celebrate with us, you know," Ron says to Harry,

"I don't think he'll be able to, Ron," Mrs. Weasley says setting a huge plate of roast chicken down in front of Harry. "He's really very busy at the moment."

"HE GOT OFF, HE GOT OFF, HE GOT OFF—"

"SHUT UP!" Mrs. Weasley yells. I hear Fred and George open their mouths to chant again and I toss a book at each of their faces. I hear a grunt from them then I turn back to my work. Dear lord I was becoming Percy.

*****

"Don't you go feeling guilty!" Hermione says sternly. Harry had explained to us that he was feeling guilty that Sirius was upset about him leaving. "You belong at Hogwarts and Sirius knows it. Personally, I think he's being selfish."

"That's a bit harsh, Hermione," Ron says, frowning as he attempts to prize off a bit of mold that had attached itself firmly to his finger,,"you wouldn't want to be stuck inside this house without company."

"He'll have company!"Hermione says. "It's headquarters to the Order of the Phoenix, isn't it? He just got his hopes up that Harry would be coming to live here with him."

"I don't think that's true," Harry says wringing out his cloth. "He wouldn't give me a straight answer when I asked him if I could."

"He just didn't want to get his own hopes up even more," Hermione says wisely. "And he probably felt a bit guilty himself, because I think a part of him was really hoping you'd be expelled. Then you'd both be outcasts together."

"I think Mione's right," I tell them, "Sirius loves you Harry. You're like his son. And might of just wanted to spend time with you."

"Come off it!" Harry and Ron say together, but Hermione and I merely shrug.

"Suit yourselves. But I sometimes think Ron's mum's right, and Sirius gets confused about whether you're you or your father, Harry," Hermione says.

"So you think he's touched in the head?" Harry says.

"No, I just think he's been very lonely for a long time," Hermione says.

"Still not finished?" Molly says, poking her head into the cupboard.

"I thought you might be here to tell us to have a break!"  Ron says bitterly. "D'you know how much mold we've got rid of since we arrived here?"

"You were so keen to help the Order," Mrs. Weasley says, "you can do your bit by making headquarters fit to live in."

"I feel like a house-elf," grumbled Ron.

"Well, now that you understand what dreadful lives they lead, perhaps you'll be a bit more active in S.P.E.W.!"  Hermione says hopefully, as Mrs. Weasley left us to it, "You know, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to show people exactly how horrible it is to clean all the time—we could do a sponsored scrub of Gryffindor common room, all proceeds to S.P.E.W., it would raise awareness as well as funds—"

"I'll sponsor you to shut up about spew," Ron mutters irritably.

 "I'll match it," I groan as I scrub.

******

 On the last day of vacation we finally got our letters.   "Booklists have arrived," Ron says, tossing letters at Harry and I. I had taken refugee in there room because of all of the stupid girl talk going on in my room."About time, I thought they'd forgotten, they usually come much earlier than this..."

 "Yeah they are kinda busy ya know plotting against a dark douche lord," I say.

"Only two new ones," Ron says, reading the list. "The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5, by Miranda Goshawk and Defensive Magical Theory, by Wilbert Slinkhard." The loud crack of apparating snaps beside me as the twins pop into the room.

"We were just wondering who assigned the Slinkhard book," Fred says conversationally.

"Because it means Dumbledore's found a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher,"  George says.

"And about time too," Fred says.

"What d'you mean?" Harry asks.

"Well, we overheard Mum and Dad talking on the Extendable Ears a few weeks back," Fred tells Harry, "and from what they were saying, Dumbledore was having real trouble finding anyone to do the job this year."

"I wonder why?" I ask sarcastically.

"Not surprising, is it, when you look at what's happened to the last four?" George says.

"One sacked, one dead, one's memory removed, and one locked in a trunk for nine months," Harry says, counting them off on his fingers. "Yeah, I see what you mean."

"What's up with you, Ron?" Fred asks as I tear into my letter. I look up to see Ron staring at the letter in shock. "What's the matter?" Fred looks over his brothers shoulder in shock. Prefect Prefect?" George pulls the envelope from Ron and flips it over revealing the badge.

"No way," George says.

"There's been a mistake," Fred says, snatching the letter out of Ron's grasp and holding it up to the light as though checking for a watermark. "No one in their right mind would make Ron a prefect..." "We thought you were a cert!" 

"We thought Dumbledore was bound to pick you!" George says indignantly.

"Winning the Triwizard and everything!" Fred says.

"I suppose all the mad stuff must've counted against him," George says to Fred.

"Yeah,"  Fred says slowly. "Yeah, you've caused too much trouble, mate. Well, at least one of you's got their priorities right. Prefect... ickle Ronnie the prefect..."

"Oh, Mum's going to be revolting," groans George, thrusting the prefect badge back at Ron as though it might contaminate him. I look down and pull out my letter. A small emerald badge dropping out. I pick it up seeing the words prefect on it.

"Holy shit!" I scream jumping up. I open my letter and see the words on it to. 

"What what what?" The twins asks.

"AHHHHHH" I squeal.

"What woman what?" Fred asks.

"I'm a Prefect!" I squeal showing them my badge. 

"Well I'll be damned," George mumbles.

"We'll never get in trouble again," Fred says to his twin. 

"Did you—did you get—? I knew it!" she says excitedly, brandishing her letter. "Me too, Harry, me too!"

"No," Harry says quickly, pushing the badge back into Ron's hand. "It's Ron, not me."

"It—what?"

"Ron's prefect, not me," Harry says.

"Ron?" Hermione says, her jaw dropping. "But... are you sure? I mean—"

"Its my name on the letter," Ron says.

"I..." says Hermione, looking thoroughly bewildered. "I... well... wow! Well done, Ron! That's really—"

"Unexpected," George says.

"No," Hermione says, blushing harder than ever, "no, it's not... Ron's done loads of... he's really..." 

"I'm a prefect too!" I squeal Hermione chuckles.

"Thats what I excepted," She tells the twins. I show her my emerald badge and she smiles.

"Thats great!" She squeals.

"Ginny said the booklists had come at last," Molly says  glancing around at all the envelopes as she made her way over to the bed and started sorting the robes into two piles. "If you give them to me I'll take them over to Diagon Alley this afternoon and get your books while you're packing. Ron, I'll have to get you more pajamas, these are at least six inches too short, I can't believe how fast you're growing... what color would you like?"

"Get him red and gold to match his badge," George says smirking.

"Match his what?" Mrs. Weasley says absently, rolling up a pair of maroon socks and placing them on Ron's pile.

"His badge," Fred, says,"His lovely shiny new prefect's badge."

"His... but... Ron, you're not...?" Ron holds up his badge and his mother screams.

"I don't believe it! I don't believe it! Oh, Ron, how wonderful! A prefect! That's everyone in the family!"

"What are Fred and I, next-door neighbors?" George asks indignantly, as his mother pushes him aside and flung her arms around her youngest son.

"This is her way of telling you you're adopted," I tease them, "she only likes her real son right now."

"Jeez," Fred groans. I wrap my arms around the two lanky gingers and smile. 

"I'm proud of you," I tell them.

"Wait until your father hears! Ron, I'm so proud of you, what wonderful news, you could end up Head Boy just like Bill and Percy, it's the first step! Oh, what a thing to happen in the middle of all this worry, I'm just thrilled, oh Ronnie—"

"Mum... don't... Mum, get a grip..." he mutters.

"Well, what will it be? We gave Percy an owl, but you've already got one, of course," She says.

"W-what do you mean?" asks Ron, looking as though he did not dare believe his ears.

"You've got to have a reward for this!" Mrs. Weasley says fondly. "How about a nice new set of dress robes?"

"We've already bought him some," Fred says sourly, who looked as though he sincerely regretted this generosity.

"Or a new cauldron, Charlie's old one's rusting through, or a new rat, you always liked Scabbers—"

"Mum," Ron says hopefully, "can I have a new broom?"

"Not a really good one!" Ron hastens to add. "Just—just a new one for a change..."

"Of course you can... Well, I'd better get going if I've got a broom to buy too. I'll see you all later... Little Ronnie, a prefect! And don't forget to pack your trunks... A prefect... Oh, I'm all of a dither!"

"You don't mind if we don't kiss you, do you, Ron?" Fred says in a falsely anxious voice.

"We could curtsy, if you like," George says.

"Oh, shut up," says Ron, scowling at them.

"Or what?" Fred asks an evil grin spreading across his face. "Going to put us in detention?"

"I'd love to see him try," snickers George.

"He could if you don't watch out!" Hermione says angrily, at which Fred and George burst out laughing and Ron muttered, "Drop it, Hermione."

"We're going to have to watch our step, George," Fred says, pretending to tremble, "with these two on our case..."

"Yeah, it looks like our law-breaking days are finally over," George says, shaking his head. I wink at the boys as the disapparate. 

"Those two!" Hermione says furiously, "Don't pay any attention to them, Ron, they're only jealous!"

"I don't think they are," Ron doubtfully says, "They've always said only prats become prefects... Still," he added on a happier note, "they've never had new brooms! I wish I could go with Mum and choose... She'll never be able to afford a Nimbus, but there's the new Cleansweep out, that'd be great... Yeah, I think I'll go and tell her I like the Cleansweep, just so she knows..."

"Harry?" Hermione asks.

"Well done," Harry says not looking about us, "all of you, Brilliant. Prefect. Great."

"Thanks," Hermione says,  "Erm—Harry—could I borrow Hedwig so I can tell Mum and Dad? They'll be really pleased—I mean, prefect is something they can understand—"

"Yeah, no problem," Harry says, in a nasty voice. 

"I have to get back to work but I'll see you guys at dinner," I tell them. Hermione nods as I leave the room and head downstairs meeting Molly and Ron. Molly mumbled somthing to Ron and he runs off happily. "A new broom huh?"

"Yeah," She says. I smile and hand her a small bag.

"Money for books," I tell her, "I figured I could help. On top of that whats left over can go to the new broom of Ron's." She smiles and nods. Not arguing with me knowing I would just call ahead and pay. At least I was being upfront. 

******

   Molly being Molly decided that Hermione, Ron, and I getting the prefect positions deserved a party. So we all were down in the basement. Scarlet Banners on one side, Green on the other. Both banners reading 'CONGRATS RON, Y/N, AND HERMIONE NEW PREFECTS.' As we mingle around I notice Harry acting particularly quiet. 

"Well, I think a toast is in order," Mr. Weasley says, when everyone had a drink. He raises his goblet. "To Ron and Hermione, the new Gryffindor prefects! And Y/n the new Slytherin prefect!" We smile as everyone drinks to us and applauds.

"I was never a prefect myself," Tonks says, "My Head of House said I lacked certain necessary qualities."

"Like what?" Ginny asks.

"Like the ability to behave myself," Tonks says.

"What about you, Sirius?" Ginny asks, thumping Hermione on the back. Sirius laughs at the thought.

"No one would have made me a prefect, I spent too much time in detention with James. Lupin was the good boy, he got the badge," Sirius says.

"I think Dumbledore might have hoped that I would be able to exercise some control over my best friends," Remus says, "I need scarcely say that I failed dismally."

"...naught to seventy in ten seconds, not bad, is it? When you think the Comet Two Ninety's only naught to sixty and that's with a decent tailwind according to Which Broomstick?" Ron says to us. I high five him quickly. His broom was cool. Mine like Harry's was a firebolt. 

"Ought to let me take a spin on it," I tell him. 

"Only if I can ride your Firebolt," He says.

"Any day," I tell him, "well besides game day." I chuckle as I lean closer to him, "Harry acting weird to you?" I whisper. He nods as I pull away.

"I wasn't going to say anything but yeah," He says back. I notice Harry slide off and I quickly rush off to follow him but Fred stops me as he throws his arm around my shoulder.

"What?" I ask him.

"Are you still helping the company?" Fred asks.

"Of course Fred, I didn't smuggle those toffees for nothing," I tell him. He nods.

"Fantastic," He says, "we need you to help us Smuggle these out again." I sigh.

"Give them to me before we go and I'll get them in my trunk," I whisper in his ear. He nods quickly and lets go. I take my chance and head the way to see Molly sobbing into Remus's shoulder. 

"Molly, it was just a boggart," Remus says soothingly as I step over to Harry, "Just a stupid boggart..."

"I see them d-d-dead all the time!" Mrs. Weasley sobs into his shoulder. "All the t-t-time! I d-d-dream about it...D-d-don't tell Arthur, I d-d-don't want him to know... Being silly..."

"Molly are you okay?" I ask her. Moody looks at me and nods.

"Boggart," He says simply. I nod already knowing that but seeming to understand. 

"Harry, I'm so sorry, what must you think of me?" she asks shakily. "Not even able to get rid of a boggart..."

"Don't be stupid," Harry says, trying to smile.

"I'm just s-s-so worried," she says, tears spilling out of her eyes again. "Half the f-f-family's in the Order, it'll b-b-be a miracle if we all come through this... and P-P-Percy's not talking to us... What if something d-d-dreadful happens and we had never m-m-made up? And what's going to happen if Arthur and I get killed, who's g-g-going to look after Ron and Ginny?"

"Molly, that's enough," Remus says firmly. "This isn't like last time. The Order is better prepared, we've got a head start, we know what Voldemort's up to—Oh, Molly, come on, it's about time you got used to hearing it—look, I can't promise no one's going to get hurt, nobody can promise that, but we're much better off than we were last time, you weren't in the Order then, you don't understand, last time we were outnumbered twenty to one by the Death Eaters and they were picking us off one by one..."

"Don't worry about Percy," Sirius says abruptly. "He'll come round. It's a matter of time before Voldemort moves into the open; once he does, the whole Ministry's going to be begging us to forgive them. And I'm not sure I'll be accepting their apology."

"And as for who's going to look after Ron and Ginny if you and Arthur died," Lupin says smiling slightly, "what do you think we'd do, let them starve?"

"Being silly," she mutters again, mopping her eyes. I pat her back and wave them off as I leave to my bedroom. I quickly adjusts things in my trunk as the twins rush in. A bag of candies in their hands. I shove them in my trunk and attempt to shut it quickly before Fred nicks a picture off the top.

"Whats this?" He asks before looking at it. His teasing smile drops when he see's its a picture of my family. All of us back when I was a baby. "Oh," He says. He twins looks over and nods.

"I keep it in there to make it feel like they are with me," I tell them,"especially now, I mean damn you know how much Mikey would of loved this? A secret organization to save to wizarding world..... And my parents, these were their friends, they knew them and they all want to talk to me about them and I can't handle it. I mean fuck everyone is dying. And I learned that your mother and I have the some boggart, losing the people we love. She sat in there crying as she saw all of you guys dying, and yet you guys keep wanting to push danger towards you!" The twins sit down beside me on the bed.

"We didn't know you were still this upset about this," Fred says.

"Of course I am," I say in tears, "you guys get to be here surrounded by your families, while I watch and wish I had the same thing. I watched them murder my father the death eaters. They broke into my house and my dad hide me before he was struck with the killing curse and it seemed like everyone knew it was going to happen but me. I watched Mikey die because I was assured someone would protect him and it didn't happen. And I never knew my mom! I have no memory of her at all. Only pictures and stories and its the weirdest thing when everyone knows your mother but you..... I can't lose anyone else. I stay awake crying every night and I have since third year." I feel a hand running up and down my back sympathetically as Fred hands me the picture. It was a moving one of me as a little baby in my fathers arms, as toddler Mikey was in my mothers. We were all fidgeting and laughing. It was nice. "You guys should go, I think I'm going to bed."

"Y/n-"

"I'm really tired," I tell them. They both share a look, hug me quickly than leave. I was alone. I move to my bed and curl up in my blankets and quietly sob. Tomorrow is a new day.