"𝙸 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚜𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚎𝚢𝚎𝚜. 𝚆𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚋𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚝?" 

𝔸𝕕𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕐𝕠𝕦 - ℍ𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕪 𝕊𝕥𝕪𝕝𝕖𝕤

"Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."

─── ∙ ~☾~ ∙ ───

"What's going with them?" Y/N asked Harry one early October afternoon in Herbology. Hermione and Ron were sending each other deathly glares across the room.

"Well Hermione's cat chased Ron's rat around the common room and now they're fighting. Again," Harry said rolling his eyes. 

"Well she should have kept her cat away from poor Scabbers," Ron defended. "He's still trembling."

"I already told you I'm sorry Ronald," Hermione insisted, "It's in a cat's nature to hunt! He smelt him."

"I can't with you two," Y/N laughed.

"You see it too?" Harry asked quietly.

"That they fight like an old married couple? Yeah," she laughed along with him.

"So are you going to Hogsmeade at the end of the month?" Harry asked as the two worked on a puffapod. 

"Probably, what about you?" she asked. 

"I can't," Harry said, "I kind of blew up my aunt before they could sign the permission slip."

Y/N slightly chuckled.

"It's not funny!" Harry said trying not to laugh along with her. 

"I mean it kind of is," Y/N insisted. "But surely Professor McGonagall would understand, I mean the school does know of your living situation."

"Your right," Harry said, "I'll ask her next class during Transfiguration."

"Good," Y/N said turning her attention back to the puffapod. "Because there's no way I'm going to Hogsmeade with those two bickering."

Harry smiled as he went back to his Herbology work. 

─── ∙ ~☾~ ∙ ───

Harry walked with Ron to Transfiguration while Hermione walked in front of them keeping her distance from Ron. Harry wished he had Y/N to save him from this class but she sadly had to have a schedule change. She now had Charms with the Slytherins and Ravenclaws, instead of Transfiguration with them. 

As they reached the line of students waiting outside of class, Harry and Ron noticed Lavender crying and Parvati's arm around her. 

Ron rolled his eyes while Harry approached cautiously. 

"What's the matter, Lavender?" Hermione asked concerned.

"She got a letter from home this morning," Pavarti whispered, "It's her rabbit, Binky. He's been killed by a fox."

"Oh," Hermione said, "I'm sorry Lavender."

"I should have known!" Lavender exclaimed sobbing. 

Harry and Ron shifted uncomfortably. Crying girls were not the two Gryffindor boys' strong suit. 

"It's the sixteenth of October! 'That thing you're dreading, it will happen on the sixteenth of October!' Remember! She was right, she was right!"

Hermione looked doubtful, while everyone else exchanged nervous glances. If Lavender's prediction came true, what if what Professor Trelawney said about Harry would come true?

Harry longed for Y/N to be by his side. She would make him laugh and flash that smile he liked so much. She would say something that would reassure him everything going to be fine. Hold his hand and make him feel at home. 

But, Y/N was on the other side of the castle. All he had right now was Lavender sobbing about her rabbit in front of him. 

Hermione hesitated before asking, "You-You were dreading Binky being killed by a fox?"

"Well not necessarily a fox," Lavender replied. Her cheeks stained with tears, "but I was obviously dreading him dying, wasn't I?" Her tone became irritated. 

"Oh," Hermione said not knowing if she should continue, "was Binky an old rabbit?" 

"N-no! Lavender sobbed more causing Ron to flinch. "H-he was only a baby!"

"Then why would you dread him dying," Hermione asked. 

Parvati glared at her and tightened her grip on Lavender's shoulders. 

"Well, look at it logically," Hermione continued, "I mean, Binky didn't even die today, did he? Lavender just go the news today," Lavender cried harder. "and she can't have been dreading it because it came as a real shock-"

"Don't mind Hermione, Lavender," Ron interrupted. Harry rolled his eyes. "She doesn't think other people's pets matter very much."

Thankfully Professor McGonagall opened the door letting her students in before Hermione could reply. 

Despite Harry's plan on asking Professor McGonagall for permission to Hogsmeade after class, she brought it up first at the end of the lesson.

"One moment please!" she called, causing Dean and Seamus to sit back down in their seats sulking. "As most of you are in my house, you should hand Hogsmeade permission forms to me before Halloween. No form, no visiting the village, so don't forget!"

Harry waited until Professor McGonagall was done talking to Neville assuring him that his grandma had sent his permission slip, before walking up to her. 

"Yes, Potter?" 

Harry took a deep breath. Y/N's voice ringing in his ears. If he didn't ask, his friend would for sure ring his neck. 

"Professor, my aunt, and uncle—er—forgot to sign my form," he said. 

Professor McGonagall however didn't say anything while looking at Harry. 

"So -er- d'you think it would be all right - I mean, will it be ok if I - if I go to Hogsmeade?"

Professor McGonagall shuffled papers on her desk. 

"I'm afraid not, Potter," she said. "You heard what I said. No form, no visiting the village. That's the rule."

"But- Professor, my aunt, and uncle - you know they're Muggles, they don't really know about - about Hogwarts forms and stuff," Harry pressed on. "If you could say I could go-"

"But I didn't say so," Professor McGonagall said standing up. "The form clearly states the parent or guardian must give permission." Harry couldn't quite decipher the look on her face. "I'm sorry, Potter, but that's my final word. You better hurry or you'll be late for your next lesson."

Ron and Hermione were waiting for Harry when he exited the classroom, not talking to each other of course. Harry's head hung low and his face showed defeat. As he walked out of the classroom Hermione and Ron knew the Professor had said no. 

Harry was just bummed he wouldn't be able to leave the castle the entire year. Ron called Professor McGonagall a choice of colorful names which Hermione heavily scolded him for as they walked down to the dungeons. He mostly tuned them out realizing he now had to spend an hour with Snape.

When Harry got to potions his mood slightly lifted when he saw Y/N and walked over to her.

"Crappy day?" she asked seeing the distress on Harry's face.

"Crappy life," he chuckled taking a seat next to her. 

"I'm guessing your talk with Professor McGonagall didn't go well?" she asked sympathetically. 

"She said no exceptions. No permission slip. No village," he sighed, dreading spending Halloween in the empty castle while everyone was at Hogsmeade. 

"That's unfair! They know about your aunt and uncle," Y/N exclaimed, "You should have pulled out the dead parent's card."

Harry lightly laughed realizing exactly what he needed to lift his mood was Y/N. 

"Don't forget Hermione also made Lavender cry today," Ron added sitting down at the table eyeing the bushy-haired girl.

"You made Lavender Brown cry!?" Y/N asked trying not to laugh. 

"Well her bunny died and she just got the news today," Hermione started, "and well, I tried comforting her by telling her Professor Trelawney was wrong about the prediction by reasoning with her but that just made her sob harder." 

"Wait, her prediction came true?" Y/N asked turning to Harry who had looked down at his shoes. Y/N placed her hand on his protectively, causing him to look up at her. 

 "Just because one prediction came true doesn't mean everything she said is right," Y/N assured. "Honestly if Hermione doesn't think it came true Professor Trelawney was probably wrong."

Harry lightly smiled at her. His heart was pumping and his skin felt electrified at her touch. They held each other's gaze. Butterflies erupted into Y/N's stomach as she studied Harry's impossibly vivid jeweled eyes. 

However, a jealous voice called to the two breaking their gaze.

"Aww Potters finally got himself a girlfriend," Draco called entering the classroom with Crabbe and Goyle. 

"Leave her alone Malfoy," Harry said shooting daggers at the Slytherin boy.

"I personally thought it would be the little Weasley girl. Didn't guess Y/N," Draco continued, "We all know she's way out of your league Potter."

"And who's league is she in?" Hermione spat back. 

"Definitely not yours if that's what you think," Y/N said scowling at him. 

"Bitch," Draco hissed causing Harry to get up protectively.

"The baddest," Y/N smiled. Hermione, Harry, and Ron broke into laughter as Draco stomped away to seats in the corner. 

─── ∙ ~☾~ ∙ ───

Halloween morning Harry waved goodbye to Y/N, Hermione, and Ron as they went off to Hogsmeade. Y/N had insisted she would stay with him but Harry didn't want to be a burden to his friend. As stubborn as Y/N was Harry wore her down and practically pushed her into the crowd of students heading to Hogsmeade. 

"We'll bring you lots of sweets back from Honeydukes," Hermione ensured looking sorry for him. 

"Yeah, loads," Ron added.

"Are you sure you don't want company I can stay?" Y/N started. 

"I already told you, I want you guys to have fun I'll figure something out," Harry reassured. 

Harry could still read the worry on Y/N's face. "Forget about it guys. Don't worry about me. I'll see you at the feast. Have a good time."

Harry watched his friends head into line with the rest of the kids going to Hogsmeade and headed into the common room. 

The only kids left in the castle were first and second years and older kids who had been to Hogsmeade so many times they had given up effort caring about the trips. 

"Harry! Harry! Hi, Harry!" Colin Creevey exclaimed when Harry climbed through the portrait hole. 

Colin was a second-year who was in awe of the raven-haired 3rd-year boy and always wanted to have a conversation with him. 

Y/N had thought it was cute but Harry found it rather annoying. Remembering that Y/N had scolded him to be nice, he answered as cheerful as he could, "Hi Colin."

"Aren't you going to Hogsmeade, Harry? Why not? Hey, you can come and sit with us if you like Harry!" Colin said eagerly gesturing to his friends. 

"Er- no thanks, Colin," Harry said trying to think of a quick excuse, "I - I've got to go to the library, got to get some work done."

Scolding himself for the lie he walked out of the portrait hole, who then yelled at him for waking her up again. 

He was halfway to the library until he decided against it and ran into Filch. 

"What are you doing?" he snarled suspiciously. 

"Nothing," Harry said honestly. 

"Nothing!" He spat, "Likely story! Sneaking around on your own. Why aren't you in Hogsmeade buying Stink Pellets and Belch Powder and Whizzing Worms like the rest of your nasty little friends?"

Pissing the caretaker off Harry just shrugged. 

"Well get back to your common room where you belong!" He snapped but Harry ignored him and continued to wander the corridors. 

"Harry?" a kind voice asked causing him to turn around. 

He didn't realize he was passing Professor Lupin's office until he saw him standing in the doorway. 

"What are you doing?" Lupin asked, "Where are Ron and Hermione? Wheres Y/N?"

"Hogsmeade," Harry said slightly perking up at the mention of Y/N's name.

Lupin couldn't help but sense déjà vu. That glimmer Harry had in his eye was the same glimmer that James had whenever Lily's name was mentioned.

"Ah," Lupin said understanding, 'Why don't you come in? I've just taken delivery of a grindylow for our next lesson."

"Water demon," Lupin explained, reading Harry's confused face as they entered the office. Harry's eyes went wide at the tank of water with a creature made of long fingers, green teeth, and sharp little horns looking back at him against the glass.

Acting like this was completely normal Professor Lupin offered Harry a cup of tea.

"All right," Harry answered awkwardly.

After tapping his wand against the kettle steam burst from the spout. 

Professor Lupin placed teabags into two cups and handed one to Harry. 

As he drank the tea Harry continued to study the professor. His eyes were twinkling but Harry couldn't help but wonder why Professor Lupin thought he couldn't handle the boggart that first week of lessons. 

"Anything worrying you Harry?" Lupin asked causing Harry to realize his face must have shown his thoughts. 

"No," Harry lied taking another sip of tea. 

"Yes," he confessed, "You know that day we fought the boggart?"

"Yes," Lupin answered cautiously.

"Why didn't you let me fight it?" Harry said trying not to sound harsh.

"I would have thought that was obvious," Lupin said with an eyebrow raised. 

"Why?" Harry asked confused.

"Well," Lupin frowned, "I assumed that if the boggart faced you it would assume the shape of Lord Voldemort."

Harry didn't expect his professor to use Voldemort's full name. The only person besides himself he knew that used it was Dumbledore and Y/N, who honestly didn't give a fuck that he killed people because she would always crack jokes about him having no nose. 

"Well clearly I was wrong," Lupin said, "But, I didn't think it would be a good idea for Lord Voldemort to materialize in the staffroom. I imagined people would panic."

"I thought of him at first. But then," Harry answered honestly, "I-I remembered those dementors."

"I see," Lupin said thinking, "That suggests that what you fear most of all is -- fear. Very wise, Harry."

Harry politely drank more tea not knowing how to respond. Just then a knowing voice interrupted them and Snape came in narrowing his eyes at Harry. 

"Thanks very much, Severus," Lupin smiled, "Could you leave it on my desk for me."

He set down a goblet that was smoking.

After throwing a cold look at Harry and assuring Lupin that he had more of the mystery potion if needed, Snape backed out of the room. 

"Professor Snape has very kindly concocted a potion for me," Lupin said.

Harry tried not to scoff. When has Snape ever done something 'kindly'. 

"I have never been much of a potion-brewer and this one is particularly complex. Pity sugar makes it useless." he continued taking a sip of the liquid.

"Why-"

"I've been feeling a bit off-color," He said before Harry could ask more. "This potion is the only thing that helps. I am very lucky to be working alongside Professor Snape; there aren't many wizards who are up to making it."

Harry took another sip of his tea trying his best to think of something to talk about. 

"Professor?" Harry started, "Before I fainted, that day on the train, I heard something." He paused, "A woman. Screaming."

"Well Dementors force us to relive our very worst memories," Professor Lupin explained. "Our pain becomes their power."

"I think it was my mother," Harry said looking into his teacup, "the night she was murdered."

"You know the very first time I saw you Harry I recognized you immediately," Lupin started. Harry's hand pressed to where his scar is. 

"Not by your scar, but by your eyes. There your mother Lily's."

Harry looked at him confused. 

"Oh yes, I knew her," Lupin clarified, "Your mother was there for me at a time when no one else was. Not only was she a singularly gifted witch, but she was also an uncommonly kind woman. She had a way of seeing the beauty of others, even and perhaps most especially, when that person could not see it for themselves."

Harry smiled at the mention of his mother. 

"And your father James on the other hand," Lupin chuckled, "He had a certain, shall we say, talent for trouble. A talent rumor has it he passed onto you."

"You're more like them than you know Harry," Lupin stated, "In time you'll come to see just how much."

Harry felt bittersweet. He longed for his parents. To be able to physically know them, but hearing about how wonderful they were brought a smile to his face. 

─── ∙ ~☾~ ∙ ───

"So Y/N what's going on with you and Harry?" Hermione asked out of the blue as the three exited the Three Broomsticks. 

Y/N almost spitted out the hot butterbeer she was drinking. "What do you mean?"

"Don't be shy with us," Ron smirked. "We see the way you two exchange longing looks. 

"That's rich coming from you two," Y/N smirked opening the door to Zonko's Joke shop. 

"I'm just saying," Hermione pressed on trying to hide the blush in her cheeks, "I think he fancies you."

"Ok, Hermione whatever you say," Y/N laughed as she made her way over to the twins. 

"Hello boys," she greeted. 

"Hello Y/N," they said in unison. 

"Enjoying your first Hogsmeade trip?" Fred asked. 

"She couldn't be enjoying it that much if her 'boyfriend' is stuck in the castle," George laughed. 

"Again, I say you two are imbeciles," Y/N said rolling her eyes.

"Aww, thanks love," Fred smirked at the young girl.

Y/N playfully scoffed. "So what brings you two here? I'm sure you know this place inside and out."

"Fred, Lee, and I have been dreaming of something big," George explained. 

"And that is?" Y/N asked.

"A joke shop. One right in Diagon Alley," Fred said.

"We know it's kind of a long shot—" George started.

"I think it's bloody brilliant," Y/N exclaimed, "If anyone could pull it off, I'd be you."

The twins smiled at her and pulled her around the shop pointing out the different products.

─── ∙ ~☾~ ∙ ───

"What did you do?" Hermione asked Harry as they were eating during the Halloween feast. Hermione, Ron, and Y/N  had brought Harry loads of brightly colored sweets from Honey-dukes. "Did you get any work done?"

"No," Harry said. "Lupin made me a cup of tea in his office. And then Snape came in and gave him some kind of potion for whatever sickness he was feeling."

"Lupin drank it?" Ron gasped. "Is he mad?"

"That's what I thought," Harry said.

They ended the feast with the Hogwarts ghosts providing entertainment popping their heads out of walls and tables. Even, Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor Ghost, reenacted his own beheading.

As the houses rushed out of the Great Hall Harry walked up to Y/N before they had to go to separate common rooms. 

She immediately pulled him into a comforting hug.

"How was it? I'm sorry you couldn't come but I brought you back loads of sweets and something for your quidditch broom, they're in your common room!" she explained quickly.

"I'm fine," He smiled laughing at how fast she was talking, "Thank you."

"I'll see you tomm—" Y/N started but was interrupted by Draco's annoying voice.

"The dementors send their love Potter!" Malfoy shouted before heading to the dungeons.

"Buckbeak sends his!" she shouted back at him blowing a kiss. 

Harry burst out laughing. "I'll see you tomorrow Harold," she said and joined Daphne and Tracey back to the Slytherin common room while Harry joined Hermione and Ron. 

However, when the trio reached Gryffindor Tower the portrait of the Fat Lady was blocked by a humongous group of students. 

"Why is no one going in?" Ron asked curiously.

Harry tried his best to peak over the seventh years standing in front of them. 

"Let me through, please," Percy, the third oldest Weasley sibling's, voice ordered as he made his way through the crowd. 

"What's the holdup here? You can't all have forgotten the password- Excuse me I'm Head Boy-"

A silence fell until Percy urgently called, "Somebody get Professor Dumbledore, Quick."

Ginny who had just arrived asked Harry, "What's going on?"

In just a few moments Dumbledore rushed up the steps to assess the situation. 

Hermione, Harry, and Ron pushed through to get a closer look.

"Oh my-" Hermione gasped.  

The Fat Lady was gone from her portrait. Instead, her portrait was slashed viciously and pieces of the canvas were laying around the floor.

"We need to find her," Professor Dumbledore said. "Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady."

"You'll be lucky!" Peeves cackled. 

"What do you mean, Peeves?" Dumbledore asked calmly while Peeves was ecstatic about the commotion. 

"Ashamed, Your Headship, sir," he answered politely. If there was one person Peeves didn't antagonize it was Dumbledore, "Doesn't want to be seen. She's a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the trees crying something dreadful." He tried his best not to sound happy at the fact. 

"Poor thing," he added trying to sound sad. 

"Did she say who did it?" Dumbledore asked remaining calm. 

"Oh yes, Professor-head," Peeves said, "He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in, you see."

Peeves flipped over and grinned at Dumbledore, "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."

─── ∙ ~☾~ ∙ ───

𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟑: 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏

A/N: OMG I CAN'T THANK YOU GUYS ENOUGH. THANK YOU FOR VOTING AND COMMENTING! I CAN'T BELIEVE I NOW HAVE OVER 1,000 READS! JUST TWO WEEKS AGO I REMEMBER FREAKING OUT OVER GETTING 10. THANK YOU SO MUCH!