Just like every year before, on September the first, Rueban took his two daughters to Diagon Alley to help them collect everything they'd need for this school year.

Rueban noticed that Tilly's list of classes was much longer than usual, she had to have Numerology and Grammatical for her Arithmancy class, The Monster Book of Monsters for Care of Magical Creatures, and the book was one that she remembered her mother telling her about, she was required to have five different books required for Study of Ancient Runes, and she, of course, needed the books for her regular core classes. Also, what really added to the list of books was the books for all the other classes she'd be adding to her schedule this term. 

Before the second year was over, Dumbledore had allowed Matilda to persuade him into letting her take on every class offered to help her chances of standing out amongst the sea of students. At first, he was wary, afraid that the young girl was expecting too much out of herself, but after thinking over it and hearing her argument he signed his signature on the agreement form. 

"I can't believe you requested to take every class that was offered to you this year," said Harper, as she watched their dad pay for the books. "I remember having to drop an elective my third year because it felt like I was doing too much." 

"Well, Harper, you and I are two different people," Tilly smiled sweetly, looking up at her sister who looked back at her wary of the smile, "I am the type of person who wants to succeed in life and you -- well, you're something else."

Harper rolled her eyes, looking away from her younger sister as she decided not to fight back. 

They went in a few other stores so that Tilly could spend the money her mom had given her. She expectedly bought new books and she spent the rest on quills, ink, and extra parchment. Her favorite buy was the recently released book on Azkaban. 

On their way out both Harper and Matilda stopped to admire a poster hanging on a wooden post. The large WANTED sign had grabbed their attention. 

"Who is Sirius Black?" asked Harper, looking back at her dad. 

"He's an escaped prisoner," said Tilly, as she read the poster, something Harper hadn't done. "He's obviously a criminal."

Rueban who stood behind the girls stared at the paper with a look of what could only be described as pity. He couldn't answer them right away, he thought he may tell them everything he knew. So, instead of saying anything he just continued to stare at the man in the photo who everyone thought of as crazy, evil, and murderous, but Rueban looked at him like a sad, old friend. 

"Sirius Black, was accused of an awful act, but truthfully it was never proven, only assumed by everyone who refused to hear him out," sighed Rueban, as he averted his gaze back to his daughters. 

Not wanting to stare at the poster any longer, Rueban began to exit the shop, Harper following close behind, but Tilly stayed looking over the poster intensely, she was studying the supposed murderous man in the photo. His hair was a long, black tangled mess and his eyes were so far sunken in and dark that they were barely visible. Through the black and white ink though you could still see the man behind the crazy. A man who looked as though maybe he was once good looking, and perhaps happy. 

"Matilda!" she hears her dad say, as he and Harper waited for her near the exit. 

Before leaving though, Tilly decided to buy a newspaper with the same photo printed on the cover, she had felt obligated to keep studying the photo. After paying she rushed over to meet her father and sister. 

"You must have gone to school with him, didn't you?" asked Tilly as she became entranced in the paper and the man named Sirius Black. "Did you know him?"

She finally managed to look at her dad and away from the paper in her hands as she awaited an answer from him. 

Rueban sighed as he looked down to meet the familiar face of his daughter,

"Yes, I did, in fact, go to school with him," said Rueban, in a way that sounded like it was hard for him to talk about, "he was a year below me."

"Did you ever notice him showing the signs of being a Sociopathic Murderer?" Tilly asked as she quoted the words on the paper she was once again reading, "I've once read that usually, sociopaths show signs and symptoms from young ages."

Tilly didn't know the man and she didn't know his story so the questions she brought up to her dad was helping her get an idea of him. Maybe he did deserve to be locked away in Azkaban, but Tilly didn't know yet. The way he was described in the writings about him was gruesome, so he must have done something terrible. 

"I don't think I'd remember if he did, it was so long ago," said Rueban, dodging the question, "now, can we refrain from any more questions?"

Tilly looked away from the paper and back up to her father since she began posing questions he'd been giving half-hearted answers. Was he and Sirius actually friends when they were in school and the questions make him remember? She had so many other questions, but she knew her dad wouldn't give her the answers she wanted. 

"Oh! Cedric and some of the other team are here," Harper beamed happily, drawing Tilly from her slight obsession with Sirius Black for the moment, "can I go ahead with them?"

Tilly looked at where Harper pointed and seen Cedric Diggory leaning carelessly on a brick wall laughing with some of the other Hufflepuff Quidditch team. Harper clasped her hands together pleadingly and looked up at Rueban with her puppy eyes. 

"Just be good and be careful," Rueban sighed as he leaned down to kiss Harper on the head and give her a quick hug, "I love you!" 

Harper happily returned the hug and said she loved him before happily running off to meet her friends. They greeted her happily and she was instantly brought into the conversation. 

"You do know that Harper likes Cedric right?" Tilly informed her dad as stood for a moment and watched Harper with her friends. 

Rueban smiled knowingly down at Tilly as he began to lead her down the sidewalks of Diagon Alley. 

"Of course, I know she likes him, that boy is all your sister ever talks about," he laughed, seeming unaffected with the thought of Harper being involved with boys, "what about you though, any boys that spark your interest yet?"

Tilly cringed at the question. Everyone should know by now that boys were not a worry for her and won't be until she had graduated from Hogwarts and is the new Minister of Magic. 

"Boys are not on my agenda right now, and won't be for a very long time," she told her dad confidently, "I have much bigger priorities."

"And I am just fine with that," Rueban nodded happily. 

...

Once again, it was time for Rueban to put Tilly on the train to Hogwarts as he does every year. The only difference this year is that Harper had boarded herself. Rueban made Tilly promise to him again that she would not participate in anything that could potentially have her killed or seriously injured, and if the opportunity presented itself, she must walk away from it. Tilly rolled her eyes and quickly agreed before saying her goodbyes and boarding the train. 

She walked past the different compartments in the train before she came upon the one she's occupied since her first year. Already in sitting in the compartment was Luna, Padma, and surprising Tilly, Cho Chang. 

"Oh, hello Matilda," Luna greeted happily scooting over so Tilly would sit next to her.

Matilda greeted Luna with the same enthusiasm because the number of letters they sent one another during the break, didn't make up for the time they spent apart.

As the train began to pull away Tilly waved out the window at her father and he stood waving back until the train was out of sight. Sitting back down she looked over at Cho with her head tilted in a confused manner. Cho has never sat with them on the train, she's usually with Claire Morgenstern. 

"How come you aren't with Claire, today?" asked Tilly curiously. 

Cho brought her attention over to Tilly and looked at her with a face of innocence and shrugged,

"I'm not really sure, actually," said Cho with a slight laugh, "I just thought it would be fun to sit here this time."

Tilly wasn't questioning Cho to try and be mean, she asked Padma the same question first year when she chose to sit with Tilly on the way home rather than her twin sister Parvati, whom she is usually always with.

"So, Tilly," Luna said pulling her attention away from Cho, "how was Italy?"

Tilly clapped her hands together remembering that she had gotten Luna souvenirs. She pulled her small bag off her back and dug out a bag of treats, a book, and some random trinkets Tilly thought Luna would enjoy.

"Italy was immensely beautiful and the weather was good most of the time," she gushed to Luna and the two other girls, "that place just holds so much history and it's incredibly fascinating."

Luna had somehow managed sneakily take the position of Matilda's best friend, even though she wasn't intending to fill that position with anyone. Luna brought out the best in Tilly and questioned her even when everyone else was often too afraid. Everyone always seemed to have their guard up around Tilly because they feared she'd throw a spell at them or hurtful words, but Luna never expected that to happen, as she only sees the good Tilly.

Padma, was also becoming more of a friend to Tilly, seeing as she's been slowly separating herself from Parvati and becoming her own person. Padma also learned that Tilly isn't one for small talk and she most definitely does not want to hear about the Ravenclaw gossip. So, now Tilly will help her with homework and answer her questions willingly rather than grouch about it.

The girls had all started taking turns telling stories about their breaks and how they all enjoyed themselves when the train began to slow down, confusing everyone in the compartment with Tilly. 

"Are we already near Hogwarts?" asked Padma, rising from her seat to look out of the window. 

Shaking her head, Tilly looked at the watch on her wrist. The time was not compatible, not enough had passed to be even halfway there. 

"That's impossible, we can't even be halfway there," said Tilly, looking at the girls. 

Luna got up out of her seat as well to look outside of their compartment, which all the students were doing as well. Cho rose from her seat to join Luna while Tilly joined Padma near the window to see if they were able to get a reason for the train to slow down. 

Suddenly the train came to a full stop with a strong jolt, knocking Cho and Luna on the floor along with some luggage that must've fallen from the racks. Then, without warning, all the lamps in the train went out, and they were all engulfed in darkness. 

"Guys, what's going on?" Padma asked with a shaky voice.

Tilly couldn't see her face, but she could tell Padma, along with the other two girls, were probably pale white with fear. Even though Tilly will never admit to being afraid, she felt an uneasiness in the pit of her stomach.

"It may just be mechanical problems," said Tilly trying to calm the girls down with rational explanations, "I wouldn't worry too much over it."

Though, Tilly herself could feel her heart rate quicken and her palms get sweaty. She wasn't terrified though and would be ready to defend herself if something were to happen.

"Guys, there is something outside," Cho's voice sounded.

Tilly was only able to see an outline of Cho's frame over by the window but couldn't make out anything thing else.

"Why would someone be coming aboard?" she asked.

After sitting back down none of them spoke other than a few whimpers from Padma who wanted to go and find her sister, but Tilly wouldn't let her leave the compartment. Lucky she didn't too because just as fast as the lights turned out a wave of total unhappiness washed over Tilly. She felt as if all the good in the world was gone and that there was no use for happiness. Her whole body drooped and there was nothing light left in her.

The room became cold, but Tilly couldn't bring herself to move to try and warm herself up, she just wanted to sit there and drown in the sudden sorrow. Tilly looked at the compartment door and that's when she saw it. It was what she knew as a dementor, just hovering there in a long black cloak. It wasn't making a move to try and get in, only just staring at her, making her feel even worse. There was no happiness left in Tilly's world anymore and the only state she could describe herself of being in, would be a severe state of depression where there was no motivation to even live long enough to see tomorrow.

Then, as suddenly as everything happened it all disappeared. The lights were back on and the train was moving again. The feeling of dread still loomed in the air, hovering over everyone and Tilly couldn't bring herself to look away from the glass door. She stayed looking at where the dementor stood staring at her as if it knew who she was.

"W-what was that thing standing b-beside the door?" asked Padma with tear-stained cheeks and a stutter.

Tilly blinked a few times before drawing herself out of the trance she had been in.

"It was called a dementor," she informed them, looking back over to where they sat, "they are the guards of Azkaban."

Cho and Padma looked to one another with scared expressions.

"What would they be doing here for?" Cho asked this time, managing to do so without crying or stuttering. 

"They were looking for Sirius Black, I bet," said Tilly looking down at the paper in her lap, "they must've thought someone on the train was hiding him."

None of them talked any more about the dementors the whole way to Hogwarts, Tilly knew that no one wanted to talk about any longer than they had to. They all felt what the dementors carried with them and Tilly would rather die than to feel like that ever again.

At last, the train stopped at Hogsmeade station and there was a greater scramble than ever to get outside; Tilly's owl, Pluto, was hooting with the other owls, cats were meowing, and toads croaked. It was surprisingly cold on the platform and the rain didn't help.

"Firs' years this way!" Tilly heard a familiar voice call. She along with the other girls looked over and saw a gigantic silhouette of a man on the other end of the platform, beckoning the now terrified new students forward for the traditional journey across the lake.

As the first years parted Tilly followed the rest of the students off the platform and through a rough mud track. Tilly who had already changed into her robes but left her new bright yellow flats on became irritated with all the mud.

"This is ridiculous!" fussed Tilly as she tiptoed through the mud trying to get the least amount of mud on her shoes as possible. "These shoes were not made for tracks like this."

The other girls around her agreed and Tilly swears she even heard Claire Morgenstern scoff in agreement.

Up ahead there were hundreds of stagecoaches that waited to pull away the remaining students. All the second years were making a big deal about the 'invisible horses' and Tilly only rolled her eyes because if the ever bothered to pick up a book they'd know the carriages were pulled by Nargles.

"They aren't invisible horses you know, Tilly," said Luna as they rose together in a carriage. "They're what you call Nargles and they're quite beautiful creatures."

Tilly scrunched her face up in confusion because out of everything she's ever read about them beautiful was never a description of them.

"Luna the only way you'd know that is if you could see them," said Tilly crossing her arms. "And to see them you'd have to have seen – oh no – Luna what happened?"

Tilly had realized while she spoke that Luna had watched someone take their last breaths. She looks at Luna with a sense of pity, Luna shouldn't have had to go through anything like that.

"It was years ago, now," said Luna reassuring Tilly. "It was my mum, she died while experimenting with her own spells."

Tilly opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She felt as if she should've already known that about Luna with as long as she's known her. She felt bad for her, she didn't like pitying people, but she couldn't help it when it came to Luna Lovegood.

"I'm terribly sorry, Luna," said Tilly finding her voice.

Luna gave her a warm smile and looked out the window as they neared Hogwarts and Tilly could feel herself becoming giddy the closer they got.

As they neared the Hogwarts gates though Tilly noticed two more cloaked dementors standing guard near the stone coulombs. She wondered why they were here at Hogwarts, this was supposed to be her safe place but considering everything that's been happening she wouldn't doubt something being off already. At last, the carriage swayed to a halt and the friends stepped out.

As they stepped their feet onto the ground Tilly could hear a high-pitched taunting tone of voice and her insides curdled with hatred as she already knew who the voice was. Of course, he was taunting Harry, the Malfoy boy seemed to be obsessed with him, and speaking of slight obsession the Morgenstern girl was already standing behind Draco tugging on the sleeve of his robe.

As Luna and Tilly walked up the steps leading into the castle Tilly tried to not say anything, but it was second nature to her to put Malfoy in his place.

"Oh, look it's the bottle blonde daddy's boy," gasped Tilly as she and Luna skipped by him and the others crowding around.

She turned her head one last time to give Malfoy a dirty look and noticed Ron and Hermione giving her a small wave. She only nodded to them before turning back around and continuing into Hogwarts beside of Luna.

When they walked into the Great Hall it was like a sea of pointed black hats. The long, house tables we lined with hopeful beaming students, their faces lit up by the thousands of floating candles. The sorting of the first years had only just begun.

Each time someone was sorted into Ravenclaw the table cheered just as loud and accepting as they did for the person before. Tilly was pleased to say that they had much more Ravenclaws this year compared to the years before. Hufflepuff was the fastest growing this year though. 

After the sorting Professor Flitwick came up onto stage and grabbed the stool and the old hat to walk to walk them off to be taken back to Dumbledore's office. Tilly also noticed Harry and Hermione quickly and quietly making their way to the Gryffindor table.

"Have they already managed to find trouble to get into?" asked Tilly more to herself than anyone else.

People began whispering and pointing at Harry as the two continued the journey to their seats. More than likely talking about Harry losing consciousness when faced with a dementor. Apparently, it was hovering right above him.

"Did you hear that he fainted?" said Cho, who was sitting in front of Tilly.

Tilly looked over at Cho and was surprised to her expression held worry to it as she watched Harry walk past everyone. Claire Morgenstern who managed to find her way back to Cho sat beside of her with a look of disgust and confusion.

"Why do you care so much?" Claire asked. "It isn't like he's your boyfriend or anything."

Tilly watched as Cho dropped her head slightly embarrassed. Does Cho like Harry? If so, since when had she liked him?

Just when Harry and Hermione found their seats near Ron, Headmaster Dumbledore stood from his chair to speak. Quickly, Tilly forgot about the drama surrounding Harry Potter and focused all her attention on Dumbledore. She smiled as he began to speak, excited to hear whatever he had to say.

Professor Dumbledore, though very old, holds a great amount of energy to him. He was often described as the greatest wizard to ever live and even though Tilly often thinks she's the best thing to happen to Hogwarts, she'd never put herself above Albus Dumbledore. Tilly trusted him, and she looked up to his absolute greatness.

"Welcome!" said Dumbledore, his beard shimmering under the candlelight. "Welcome to another year of Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our wonderful feast. . ."

Tilly continued to listen quietly while others around her whispered in speculation.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."

Tilly thought back to the last time the Ministry came here on business last year. Professor Dumbledore was made to leave by the dreaded Lucius Malfoy and Fudge had Hagrid arrested. She had a hard time believing that there would be no problems caused by these dementors seeing as they are business sent from the Ministry.

"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continued, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave the school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises – or even Invisibility Cloaks," he added blandly, and Tilly glanced back at Harry and Ron who were already looking over at her. "It is not in the nature of dementors to understand pleading or excuses. I, therefore, warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure no student runs afoul of the dementors." he said.

All the prefects looked around at one another nodding approvingly and pretending like they actually would be able to stop students like Harry Potter and Ron Weasley from figuring out a way to break the rules.

"On a happier note," he continued, "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year."

"First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

Tilly applauded appropriately while the others around her seemed unenthused to do the same. She assumed that the girls around her other than Luna missed the charming good looks of Lockhart. Professor Lupin looked a bit shabby standing near all the other Professors wearing their best robes.

Tilly's attention averted over to Professor Snape. Everyone at Hogwarts knew that Snape wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, and Tilly could see the absolute hatred for Professor Lupin oozing from Snape's thin-lipped expression. It was almost just like how he looked at Harry.

"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore went on after the little amount of applause died down. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."

Tilly sat stunned for a second wondering if he was even qualified to be a professor but no doubt she knew no other person is more able to teach them about Magical Creatures than he is. So, Tilly stood from the bench and clapped excitedly along with the Gryffindor table for Hagrid.

Even though she was incredibly happy for Hagrid Tilly knew there would be students like Draco Malfoy and his heard of brainwashed idiots would find something wrong with him.

Hagrid stood red-faced, staring down at his hands with a wide smile on his face. It was a special sight to see.

As the clapping stopped and Dumbledore began speaking again Tilly noticed Hagrid wiping his eyes with a tablecloth and even though she knew he didn't see she gave him small thumbs up.

"Well, I think that's everything of importance," said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!"

The golden plates and goblets sitting before them suddenly filled with food and drinks. Tilly, only just now noticing how hungry she was, began serving herself mountains of everything she could eat.

As always it was a delicious feast; the echoed with talk, laughter, and the clatter of silverware. Tilly and Luna helped themselves to seconds and thirds while holding a conversation on how each of their breaks went. Luna's was spent with her father exploring and helping him find things to write about. She spoke with such happiness and purity that Tilly listened to every word.

At long last, Dumbledore gave his word that it was time for them all to head off to bed, to prepare themselves for their first day of classes the next morning.

The Ravenclaw's made their way up the marble staircases bustling and excited to get their year started with their friends. Tilly was happy to see that nothing about her dorm had changed, not even the people. She was still in a room with Cho, Padma, and Luna.

Suddenly, just like last year, there was a light knock on the door and Professor Flitwick came in. The short man wasn't even as tall as their dressers in the room.

"Matilda Winters, I have been told that Headmaster Dumbledore would like to see you before you go off to bed," said Flitwick looking over to Tilly.

Tilly nodded obediently while trying to come up with a reason that Dumbledore would want to see her. It couldn't be tea time because that wasn't ever on their first day back.

"Of course," said Tilly. "I'll go now,"

As she made her way towards the Headmaster's office her brain still couldn't come up with a good reasoning for Dumbledore summoning her so out of the schedule. When she got to his door, before she could it knock it was opened for her and Dumbledore was sitting at his desk.

"Good to see you, Matilda," said Dumbledore with a smile.

She was no stranger to being in his office; not for troubling reasons though. She and Dumbledore were close, and they talked a lot up in his office. It has become so common that they refer to it as their tea time.

It started Tilly's first year here at Hogwarts. She had gotten in trouble with Professor Snape on what he referred to as severe inability to follow instructions, yet all she has done was answer a question that he proposed to the class. He sent her straight to Dumbledore's office and since that day they've had weekly meetings where he allows Tilly to go on about whatever she pleases.

"Same to you Headmaster Dumbledore," she said as she approached his desk and took a seat in front of him. "Might I ask though, why I am here, our tea time isn't today?"

Dumbledore chuckled as he shook his head.

"No, it is not our scheduled tea time, I believe that is on Thursday," he tells her. "I do though have a very important question to ask you."

His face became serious as he leaned across his desk to be closer to Tilly. Whatever the question is must be an important one.

"I must ask you if you've received any type of contact from anyone you may not know?" Said Dumbledore still wearing the serious expression.

Tilly became confused at the question. The only people she stays in contact with is her family and friends and even then, she doesn't always like it. Why would someone she doesn't even know want to contact her?

"Not that I'm aware of," Tilly answered skeptically, "why would someone I may not  know try or even want to contact me?"

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair with a sigh and shook his head.

"I'm afraid I cannot provide you with an answer to that question," he tells Matilda making her want to know even more. "You may go back to your dormitory."

Tilly remains seated ignoring his dismissal as she puts pieces together in her head.

"This is about Sirius Black, the escaped criminal, isn't it?" guessed Tilly as she excitedly stood from her comfortable chair. Dumbledore didn't say anything back to her, so she continued speaking. "Why would Sirius Black try and contact me? Would he be trying to get through to my father, because my dad did admit to knowing him."

"Matilda –" said Dumbledore to stop her from speaking any further. "I must ask you to go back to your dormitory now and get some rest."

Tilly gave him a hard and angry stare as he still refused to answer or confirm any of her theories. But she listened to him know she'd be needing to get a good night's rest for her classes tomorrow morning.

"Did you get in trouble?" Cho asked as soon as Tilly walked back into the room.

"Of course, she didn't get in trouble – it's Dumbledore," Padma scoffed. "Matilda is his favorite student he never does anything to her."

Tilly wouldn't allow herself to answer either girl as she began getting ready for bed. She didn't care if they thought that she was Dumbledore's favorite student and she didn't care that they were jealous of it. All she cared about now was why Dumbledore thought that Sirius Black would try reaching out to her.

With thoughts racing through her mind she laid down on her bed and stared at the ceiling for hours as she tried to come up with answers of her own.  

----------

Matilda's outfit returning to Hogwarts

----------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yay, she's back at Hogwarts!