As Harry made his way to the Gryffindor table, Neville got up and marched off to the staff table; making quite a display of it in the process. I think I ruffled Princess's feathers. Harry thought as they passed each other. As they did, neither of them spared a sideways glance.

Out of the corner of his eye Harry caught a glimmer of orange, then red, magenta, and then the rest of the spectrum of colors in rapid succession. The source of the distraction was a first year girl's hair. There were empty seats all around her. By the looks on the faces of her fellow first years, it would seem that they were all waiting for her head to explode. The poor girl was hiding her face in a long veil of rapidly changing hair, from underneath he heard a sniffle escape. Oh, hell no!

Harry lightly tapped on her shoulder. She let out a yip as she jumped in her seat. Slowly she turned to look at him. Through a small part in her interesting hair, he saw a single crystal blue eye spying at him. Immediately it changed color, so it was as if he was looking at his mother's eye. Yeah, thought so.

Harry was often told he had his mother's eyes. The girl was mimicking, though he was sure that she was unconsciously doing it. Harry didn't particularity like the look of fear in the one eye that he could see. She was expecting him to tease her or worse. He gave her a warm smile and he saw at least some of her anxiety ease.

"Excuse me... May I sit with you?"

"W-what? Why?" She asked in shock. No one ever wanted to sit with her, not for as long as she could remember.

"Could you take pity on the new kid at school? I'm kind of nervous." Harry whispered the last part so she had to lean in to hear. She giggled out an okay and he sat down. There were a few seconds of awkward silence. Harry was hoping she would engage, but it looked like she was still too nervous or shy.

"I'm Harry by the way, Harry-"

"James Potter," She finished for him, though it was an octave higher than it needed to be.

"Yeah...How did ya know my full name?"

"Your mum's voice kinda carries," She giggled out and it was like a sweet ocean breeze to him. It kind of makes you feel bubbly all over, when she does that.

"You have no idea." This made her upgrade to a full laugh that took her a few moments to get it under control. Harry didn't mind all that much. Her hair finally settled on a bubble gum pink. Kind of cute.

"I-I'm-Emma-just-so-you-know." She got out between fits of laughter.

"Nice to meet ya Emma Just So You Know." Emma slapped Harry's arm with no real force. Her laughing fit was in full swing.

"S-s-stop - y-you'll-make-me-pee." Harry noticed that her fellow first years seemed to relax more. The threat of her head exploding seemed to have passed. He decided to let her get some kind of composure back before they continued their conversation. When she had, he reached over and parted the veil of hair and tucking it behind her ears and getting a proper look at her little face.

"See, I knew there was a pretty face under all that hair." Emma wasn't accustomed to getting complements and it showed, as blood rushed to her cheeks. Her hair followed by taking on the same rosy tint. She went to duck her face down out of habit, but Harry caught her chin with his index finger and thumb. He gently lifted it back up until they were looking eye to eye.

"Never bow your head to anyone in this school. Especially some damn Pureblood with a wand stuck up their butt. You have every right to be here, as do they. You have an amazing gift Emma. I know a lot of witches that would kill to be a Metamorphmagus. Don't shun it sweetie, embrace it." Emma's eyes widened and swelled up with tears. She then lunged at Harry and wrapped him in a fierce hug. She didn't know what a Metamorpha- or whatever the hell it was, all she knew was that someone had finally accepted her. That was all that mattered to her.

Harry was a little taken aback at first, but then squeezed her back. He got the distinct feeling she didn't get compliments very often, he planned to remedy that. He felt his shirt getting wet as Emma buried her face into his chest.

"What is a Metam- Metamor-?" Asked a first year whose name was Mark.

"Metamorphmagus...basically, it means that you're a shape-shifter. It's a very rare gift."

"Emma, that's so wicked!" Two girls squealed at the same time, as more and more of Emma's first years moved in closer to hear. The uncomfortable ice was finally broken.

"I-I never knew."

"Didn't your parents ever tell you?" Mark asked.

"No, they ditched me at an orphanage when my hair started to change colors." Emma said with bitterness in her voice. Harry placed a hand on her shoulder and she gave him a weak smile.

"Muggles huh?" Emma nodded.

"Freaked out a little I take it?" Gabby, a white haired girl, asked Emma.

"Big Time"

"That happens sometimes. I have some relatives, not the best example of Muggles mind you. Anyway, my so called Uncle called me a little freak once...once." Harry emphasized with a finger.

"That's horrid." Gabby, Emma and another girl by the name of Pursa said at the same time.

"It's okay, mom got him with her Bit-Buster Hex. I hear that he didn't walk properly for a month. After that, if my mom threatened mine or Sirius's bits, you better believe we paid attention."

"What's a Bit-Buster Hex?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. My mom created it when she went to school here."

"Why?"

"To keep a collection of gits in line; my father taking the part of Head Git."

"Your mum is kind of scary," Mark said and the others nodded their heads in agreement.

"And don't you forget it."

"I bet you have it coming most of the time, don't ya?" Emma pointed her finger warningly at him.

"Emma my sweet, that's a big, big, really big given." That brought a laughing fit from all the first years. Harry leaned back and grinned. Mission accomplished.

Harry slowly slid out of the conversation as Emma got to know her fellow Gryffindors better. She could be very chatty when she wanted to be. Her, Mark, Gabby and Pursa were rapidly becoming best friends. All they really needed was a little nudge.

From the staff table, Sirius was watching him with a satisfied grin on his face. He leaned over to Lily and whispered. "Well, he always wanted a little sister." Lily looks up to see her only child sitting with a group of first years. The little girl that was on the verge of tears only minutes ago was now taking requests on what color to change her hair to. That boy is always picking up strays.

"Well, you can squat and push one out. My child rearing days are over," Lily teased with mock disgust.

"You never know Lils. One of these days you will fall to my magnanimous charm," Sirius fired back.

"Well, I do have my standards. Sadly, you come up a little short," Lily emphasized by showing the space between her thumb and index finger. She drawled out the last word an octave higher just to add insult to injury. She followed through with a cocked brow, daring him to challenge her.

"Subtle Lils, if you wanted to see it, all you had to do was ask," Her eyes widened and then narrowed. OH, you're going to pay for that!

"Some of us are trying to eat Black." Lily pushed Sirius back in his seat and leaned over and glared at one Severus Snape. He lasted longer than Hagrid, but in the end he succumbed to Lily's stare.

"Well, good luck with that Severus." Lily snarled at him. He was smart enough to keep quiet. Sirius, however, was not.

"A little to the right Lils," Sirius whispered in her ear. She looked down and saw just where her hand was. She quickly retracted it.

"Tease"

"Perv"

"Card carrying luv." That earned Sirius a smack to the back of his head. "And I'm done."

"Smart boy."

Daphne Greengrass always prided herself on her prowess in observation. It was something that her mother instilled in her at a young age. Being from a noble family and the politics that came from being the Greengrass Heiress, it was key to survival. The endless parties that her parents would throw were her training ground. She was seen, but not heard. She could have easily eavesdropped, but Purebloods lied as often as they breathed. Body language was so much more revealing and Daphne was a big believer in it. Through it, she read people like an old familiar book. She was able to tell which married couples were still in love and which ones hated each other. Who were secret lovers and whose love was not returned. She passed on everything that she learned to her mother, who would relay it to her father. Through the knowledge, her family was able to strengthen their position in Wizard Society.

She was happy to do it. As Heiress it was her duty, but it came at a price. Friends and a normal childhood were luxuries she wasn't allowed. She was viewed as cold and heartless. As if human emotion was beneath her. When she had confrontations with her peers, she gave nothing away, no anger, no hurt, no sorrow or fear. Just an ice cold stare that unhinged any that met it. Thus, the Ice Queen of Slytherin was born.

She was viewed as unapproachable and she preferred it that way. It allowed her to focus on her studies and her favorite pastime: observing the inhabitants of Hogwarts. She loved the way they interacted with each other. She would watch as best friends would become bitter enemies based simply on blood status.

She saw girls have secret crushes on boys by night, but in the light of day sneer at them to save themselves from being labeled a Blood Traitor. She found the whole thing quite amusing. The word Mudblood was thrown around the Slytherin common room so often that even the first years no longer were shocked by it. She never used the foul word herself, not once. Once Draco Malfoy challenged her as to why she never said it. She said the word was too filthy to soil her lips with as she looked down at him as if he was a house elf.

She predicted that Weasley and Granger would end up together in her first year. That Professor Quirrell was too off, for lack of a better word. She saw little Ginny Weasley slowly deteriorate, while her brothers were blind to it all. Professor Lupin was a werewolf? Well...duh! Figured that out three weeks in to the year. Mad Eye Moody was really an impostor? Have you smelled the man's breath? Polyjuice Potion has a distinct smell...honestly. Rita Skeeter? Don't even get her started! And so on, and so on through the years. But she kept it all to herself. Sometimes she felt guilty about it, but she was a Slytherin, and knowledge was power.

This year, well it was definitely looking good. The train ride itself was worth the all the gold in Gringotts. Granger had recently learned the joys of sex, and seems to be making up for lost time. The girl really had a good pair of lungs on her. Bad judgment, but good lungs. Good luck getting respect as Head Girl now. Then again?

Ginny Weasley was more interesting by far. Gradually, since the Chamber incident she had slowly been pulling away from Longbottom. The Chosen One was, as always utterly clueless. She thought that he saw her more as a Trophy than anything else. The girl was beautiful, so in that, he at least had some taste. There were times though, when she looked like a caged animal wanting nothing more than to run free. She could never figure out why Weasley stayed. It was a mystery that she would have to solve another day.

Now, Professor Potter intrigued her. She was entirely too pretty to be a Professor, or at least that was what a few of her fellow Slytherin said. She had to agree, Lily Potter face was too warm and friendly. She lacked the cold stern detached look of Professor McGonagall. That and the fact that she was muggle-born meant she would have a hard time getting the respect from most of Daphne's House. That was until she flipped over the Staff Table and widened the Great Hall wordlessly. That was an impressive feat and one that took everyone by surprise. The way she handled the two Lords, well that was just priceless.

Speaking of which, not one, but two Rebel Lords have come to Hogwarts, and damn sexy ones at that. She wasn't embarrassed to admit that she was affected by their bold entrance. She wasn't gay. It was just until that moment, there wasn't anyone that peaked her interest before.

They got through the bloody wards of Hogwarts! Hell, not even You-know-who had been able to do that before. Draco Malfoy gave it a shot last year, and it almost earned him a cell next to his dad in Azkaban. How he managed to squirm his way out of that, she would never know.

Lord Sirius Orion Black, Daphne heard stories from her mum about him. Word has it, that he was a bedroom kisser, whatever the hell that means. Before her mum could explain, her father walked into the room and the woman clammed up tighter than Granger's bum. Her new DADA Professor was certainly entertaining. Watching him flirt with Professor Potter and her giving as well as she got. It seemed more like a game between the two of them. She saw no real signs of intimacy between them though, it was clear that they were very close. That was something that was really irritating Professor Snape to no ends. For a Slytherin, he was being pretty obvious about it. Well, she guessed the man had a sex drive after all.

Daphne's eyes drifted to the new Lord Potter and a slow smile slid across her face. Damn, he's hot. Stop it Daphne! You're stronger than this! He's just another boy like all the others. He'll just distract you. You have better things to do than drooling over some new boy that looks all Devil May Care. You're stronger than this. Oh dammit! Why did he have to take off his robe? Nice muscles...very nice. Oh, Bugger!

"I guess the gay rumors about you were false. too bad, a girl can dream though." Daphne snapped her head to the left and shot Tracy Davis a cold icy stare. Her one and only friend had come out of the closet two years ago and had been actively trying to convert the witches of Hogwarts.

"Glare all you want Greengrass, but you're drooling," Tracy rolled her eyes as she handed her a napkin, "I can't really blame you. He is a nice little piece of man candy. If he had breasts, I'd have a go myself."

"One, I don't drool. Pansy-yes, me-no. Two, I'm observing."

"What would that be his biceps or his bum? Both are equally nice."

"So, who's your latest victim, oh...I mean convert?" Daphne quickly changed the subject. Tracey decided she would play along for now.

"Cho Chang or was it Romilda Vane, maybe both. It was a good party if I remember correctly. There is always an open invitation for you Daphne. You know, just as an observer," Tracy added with a wink. Daphne face remained the same as she showed no sign of shock or disgust.

"Nice try."

"Damn! I thought I would have gotten you with that one. So, which one was it? You never answered the question." The Ice Queen rolled her eyes.

"Right. like you wouldn't ride him proper if you had the chance."

Before Daphne could deny, Harry looked over his shoulder and made eye contact with her. She stared right back. She kept her face neutral, she wasn't giving anything away. No one was better at this than her. Tracy looked from Daphne to Harry and then back to Daphne. Neither was giving an inch. Harry cocked one of his brows. The corner of Daphne's lips curled for just a second. Harry lowered one brow as he raised the other. Daphne's eyes widened. They he made then do a wave.

"You're blushing." Tracy teased.

"Shut it." Daphne hissed back, not daring to look away. Harry grinned victoriously at her, before giving her a slight nod. Then he turned back around.

"That was check and mate."

"I hate you."

"But I love youuuu," Tracy teased as she made a kissy-face at Daphne.

Ginny saw Neville walk off with Dumbledore and gave a silent sign of relief. The old fart didn't look to happy about missing his dinner. Not that she much cared. Neville was a product of his doing, as well as his grandmother. She pushed the thought out of her mind. Ginny had gotten a reprieve from having to spend another meal listening to him go on about things she stopped caring about over a year ago.

That was the day that her eyes were finally opened. The day that she saw the real Neville, not what she had pictured, no hoped, in her mind that he would someday be. She wondered if such a man even existed. It was the day Bellatrix took her. She never talked about what happened that day, well not to her friends that is. She could talk to Tonks. She kind of earned her confidence, seeing as she rescued her and all. Tonks was a good listener. She never judged or told her what she was feeling wasn't right, just gave her a warm hug when she really needed it. She also gave her Shadow, her other confidant. A stuffed jet-black Panther that would purr when you scratched behind its ears. Okay, she knew she was too old for stuffed animals, but he kept the nightmares away.

She was just happy to spend time with her friends and free of Neville for at least, she hoped, the rest of the night. She looked over at Luna at the Ravenclaw Table. She smiled and waved back at her. She really missed her over the summer break. She was looking forward to catching up with Luna.

She hadn't really been paying attention to the conversations that were going on. Dean and Seamus were whispering between themselves, most likely about their new Charms Professor. Hermione was doing her best to calm down Ron. Ginny regretted letting it slip that Neville gave her up so he could escape.

Ron and Hermione didn't know the details of her capture. They had split into groups so at least some of them would get away and call for help. That was when Bellatrix cornered them and Neville showed what he was truly made of. It took two days for Tonks to find her. Two days that she never wanted to ever talk about. Her friends really understood her wishes, even though it was killing them. Now, she just hoped that Ron didn't do something stupid. Oh, who was she kidding, of course Ron was going to do something stupid about it. He was such a Big Brother. Sometimes it may have annoyed her, but deep down it always made her feel safe.

Lavender, Romilda and the twins were going on about the mystery man that was responsible for their Neville-free night. Unknowingly or not, she would have to thank him for that. She chanced a glance down the table at him. He was sitting with a group of first years. The girl that was sitting next to him had hair that had actually turned green with yellow polka dots. She stuck out her hand with a satisfied grin on her face. He rolled his eyes and handed her a gold Galleon, an actual Galleon, like it was nothing! The girl gave a cheer and quickly tucked it away. He smiled at her warmly. He had a really good smile. Then she lifted her gaze to see two intense emerald eyes. Ones that were looking right at her. Her brown eyes widened as she quickly looked away, her face now the same color as her hair. Only to find herself nose to nose with Hermione.

Hermione looked past her down the table and then back to her and raised her right eye brow.

"Shut it."

"I didn't say anything."

"I said shut it."

"And, I said. I didn't say anything. But...if I were to say something. It would be to remind you that you are a prefect and it's your responsibility to show the first years to the Gryffindor Tower."

"And?"

"Well, technically, it is his first year."

"I hate you."

"So do you want to tell me what happened outside of Gringotts?" Lilly asked Sirius as they strolled down a deserted corridor. She had already placed a silencing charm around them, just in case.

"No worries Lils. You'll read all about it in tomorrow's Daily Prophet," Sirius chuckled to himself, irritating Lily in the process. She groaned and ran her hand down her face in aggravation.

"Why is it that whenever I leave you two alone, I have to read about it the next day?"

"It's not like we go looking for trouble."

"Sure as hell finds you though, doesn't it. Now, are you going to tell me or do I have to-"

"Yes, yes I know-bits-tallest tower-got it."

"Sirius, please."

"Okay, My dearest cousin wasn't to happy about being disinherited. She brought a few of Voldy's bootlicker's with her. Downside, the bitch got away. Upside, we thinned Buttheads herd a little."

"How did the Ministry take that?"

"Are you kidding? I've still got the Ministers lip prints on my arse."

"So, he went for what you suggested?"

"The man damn near danced a jig. He said it was about time civilians stood up to them. Expect some new laws to be passed soon. With Harry's and my two votes each, as well as rekindling a few alliances, it would be safe to say that things are going to change. Of course that's all above the table. Below the table, the Marauders have Auror privileges. We were asked just not to flaunt it."

"Wow, it did go better than we thought. The new Minister must be really desperate. Does he know our true numbers?"

"Not a bloody clue. I doubt that we would have gotten such a good deal if we returned last year like Harry wanted to. It seems that Dumbledore and Scrimgeour don't see eye to eye on a few things. All of them revolving around The Chosen One."

"Let me guess, Scrimgeour needs a poster boy and Dumbledore doesn't want to share."

"And the prize goes to the cute redhead in the middle!"

"Thank God we dodged that spell. At least when this is all over, Harry can walk down the street without being hounded by the press."

"He'll be the flavor of the Month after what happened today, but it will pass."

"What if Skeeter starts digging? According to her, the only way that James would marry me was if I overdosed him with a Love Potion."

"Already taken care of luv. She knows better than to cross Lord Black. If that wasn't good enough, Harry reminded her just how protective he is of his mum."

"Sweet little git, do I even want to know?"

"No...and I doubt she will forget any time soon."

They continued on for awhile in silence familiarizing themselves with Hogwarts again. Every corner bringing back memories, some good and some not so good and some that just...broke your heart. Lily stopped at a dark corner. She looked out across the grounds, over the Black Lake, to the mountains beyond and stopped at the rising Moon. Silent tears poured down her face, as the memory took her.

Her and James were suppose to be on patrol. Somehow they always found themselves sitting in this dark corner watching the moon rise. Lily's back snuggled up against James's chest. She was sitting between his legs and his strong arms wrapped protectively around her. She never felt more safe that when she was in his arms. She would always tilt her head to the side so her neck was exposed. An open invitation that he always accepted.

"I love you Lily." James whispered into her ear. He sounded so nervous when said it. She almost wanted to giggle, but that would have spoiled the mood. Then it hit her, he just told her that he loved her. Her heart jumped into her throat and she basked in the glow of the moment. For James it seemed like an eternity. She let him sit in agony for a few more seconds, before she took pity on him.

"Well, it's about bloody time, ya git." She teased James.

"Lily, you're killing me here." James pleaded with her. She slowly turned around to look into his hazel eyes. She cupped his face in her hands. She searched his eyes for the truth. She found it, but she still needed to be sure.

"Is this real? This isn't just to get into my knickers is it? This is forever and beyond right?" She was surprised by the desperation in her own voice, but it was too late, it was already out there.

"I would die for you Lily. Not even death would stop me from loving you."

"Do you know how corny that sounds?"

"Doesn't make it any less true."

"It better, or so help me."

"Yes I know-bits-tallest tower."

"I love you James."

Lily crumbled to the floor. This was the very spot that they professed their love to each other. Sirius was on her in a second. He cradled her in his arms. She buried her face into his chest and unleashed what she had held back for sixteen years.

"W-why Sirius, w-why did he leave me? Why did it have to be him?" Came mumbled sobs from Sirius's chest. He rocked her back and forth. He prayed it would on some level help her. Emotional women was something that he knew, without a doubt, he had no clue how to handle. Harry was better suited for this. He always knew what to say.

"Because, he wouldn't let it be you. You and Harry were his life. He died the way he wanted to, saving you and the pup."

"I want him back."

"Me too luv, me too."

"How can you not hate me? I took James from you. Why did you stay all this time? You could have had any woman you wanted. You could have had your own family. You've sacrificed more than any godfather has ever been expected to."

"You're my family, this is where I belong. I have no regrets," Sirius whispered to her. She nodded her head in response, but couldn't stop crying. She knew that Sirius would always be there and would never ask anything in return. He may have flirted with her constantly, but he would never cross the line. Her, Harry and Sirius, what an odd family they made strong as steel and unyielding as magic itself. She didn't know just how long they sat on the cold floor. All she knew was that he held her till exhaustion took her. He carried her to her room and put her to bed where she woke in the morning with a furry dark dog curled up at the foot of her bed. He stayed just in case she needed him.

James made the right choice when he asked him to be Harry's Godfather. He was a scoundrel, that was a given, but there was no man sturdier that Sirius Orion Black.