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Deanna rubbed her eyes and yawned while waiting for her food. It had been a few hours since Dumbledore brought her home and she hadn't been able to sleep yet so she decided to just have her breakfast.

"You should have some sleep later, love." Ariana said worriedly while watching her niece who rested her head on the table. "You haven't been able to sleep yet."

"I will, Aunt Ari. I just want some hotdogs before I sleep." Deanna stretched her arms and smiled reassuringly at the portrait. She rested her head on the table again and closed her eyes, trying to get a bit of rest.

"Deanna?"

Just as Deanna was about to surrender to her exhaustion, Ariana's voice woke her up. She lifted her head and tilted her head in confusion. "What is it, Aunt Ari?"

"I think you have a letter." Ariana pointed to the window where Anais the owl was tapping it lightly.

Deanna opened the window and stroked the owl after she untied the letter from its foot. "Thank you, Anais." The owl hooted happily and flew to Deanna's room.

"What's that?" Ariana asked curiously.

"I'm not sure." Deanna's eyes widened when she saw it was a letter from Hogwarts. She looked up at Ariana with horror in her eyes.

"Are you okay, Deanna?" Ariana's face fell when she finally noticed the mark on the back of the envelope. Why would Hogwarts send a letter when it was too early for the book lists? Did she do something wrong? Was she going to be expelled? At least she could work at her uncle's bar if ever she did get expelled.

"Open it." Ariana smiled at her reassuringly, trying her best to give Deanna courage. Deanna took in a deep breath and slit the envelope open. As she opened the letter, she closed her eyes, too worried to read the letter.

"I can do this." Deanna muttered to herself and took a peek. She let out a sigh of relief once she read what was the letter about.

"What is it?"

"I have my O.W.L. results."

"You have your O.W.L. results?" Aberforth came from inside the kitchen and set down the plate of hotdogs in front of Deanna. "Let's see it then."

Deanna went closer to Aberforth and Ariana so that the three of them could read her results together. "One, two, three!" She opened the letter once more and read through it properly this time.

Ordinary Wizarding Level Results

Pass Grades

Outstanding (O)

Exceeds Expectations (E)

Acceptable (A)

Fail Grades

Poor (P)

Dreadful (D)

Troll (T)

Deanna Ariana Dumbledore has achieved:

Astronomy D

Care of Magical Creatures E

Charms O

Defense Against the Dark Arts O

Divination A

Herbology E

History of Magic D

Potions O

Transfiguration O

"Uncle Ab, Aunt Ari, I got 7 O.W.L.s!" Deanna squealed in delight and gave Aberforth a hug and Ariana a kiss on the cheek. Ariana giggled because despite being a portrait, Deanna never failed to make her feel like she belonged.

"I'm proud of you, love." Aberforth kissed the top of her head. "You can be a Professor."

Deanna smiled widely at that. Being a Hogwarts Professor was always her dream, and she can finally achieve that dream after a few years. She wanted to be a Professor in Defense Against the Dark Arts or Transfiguration, and she would work hard to achieve that dream of hers.

"And this calls for some special chocolate milk." Aberforth and Ariana laughed loudly when Deanna's blue eyes similar to their own twinkled in glee. Their niece surely loved her hotdogs and chocolate milk and especially those purple socks with cookies and milk that she wore. Deanna excused herself to put away her results and ran back upstairs to her room.

"Oh, there are more." Deanna said in surprise, having just noticed the extra letters inside the envelope. She opened them one by one and grinned when she saw that the letters were from Pomona, Minerva and Hagrid, all congratulating her for her results and for being qualified to become a Professor one day. She made a mental note to write letters to them later. She also saw that there was a letter from her father and opened it with excitement.

My little phoenix,

I am most utterly pleased at the news of your results. You can finally achieve your dreams, love, and you have made me so proud as you've always done so. Hogwarts will have gained a mighty protector and one of the best professors ever to have taught in this school once you get hired. Keep your head up high, and never change, love. All you need to achieve your dreams is love and trust. I love you, Deanna. I know you will do it.

Love,

Pops

"Why is he like this?" Deanna wiped away her tears and let out a shaky chuckle while stroking Fawkes' bald skin. To hear others congratulate you and say they're proud of you was different from hearing it from your father. Especially if your father is Albus Dumbledore. She really needed to hear those words and she heard those words from her father. Deanna felt lucky to have him, Aberforth, Ariana, Hermione and everyone in her life. They were all she needed.

Deanna then realized that the others could have gotten their O.W.L.s as well so she wrote letters to Ernie, Justin, Susan and Hannah and Harry and Ron. She started writing a letter to Hermione and after 5 pieces of crumpled paper, Deanna finally felt satisfied at what she wrote.

Dear Mione,

How have you been? The O.W.L. results had just come in today, and naturally, I thought of you and wondered how you have done. I can imagine you feeling disappointed at the results you have gotten, but I would like to tell you, despite having not yet seen your results, that you have done beautifully. You have given everything you have and I am sure you have gotten great results. Whatever career you do decide to take up in the future, you'll do beautifully, Hermione. As you have done the past few years, as you have done now and as you've always done. Keep your head up high, Hermione Granger, and remember you've done well. If you don't feel that way or forget that, I'll be here all the way to remind you of that. You have me.

Sincerely yours,

Deanna

"Deanna!"

"Coming, Uncle Ab." With flushed cheeks, Deanna sealed up the letters and tied them to Anais' leg. She just hoped that her letter was not too forward or not too revealing of her feelings for Hermione. She let Anais fly away and kissed the sleeping Fawkes on the head before running back down the stairs. She needed her hotdogs and chocolate milk to hopefully get her mind off Hermione Granger, even if it was just for a few minutes.

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Weeks passed, and Deanna had gone back to her cycle of waiting for Hermione's letters and helping around in Hog's Head. Sometimes, Minerva, Pomona and Hagrid would come and chat with her. She felt sad that she had only a few weeks left with Ariana and Aberforth, but then she remembered that she would be in Hogwarts again with all her friends and her father and Hermione. She could visit her aunt and uncle during the weekends anyways.

After that dream she had about Voldemort, Deanna never had a dream about him again. She did feel the momentary bouts of pain from time to time, and she knew he was still going on with his plans due to the daily reports in the Daily Prophet and the pain she had been feeling. Of course, she did not tell anyone about it. Every night, she tried to get into his mind like she had done for the past year, but Voldemort was still stronger than her.

"What do you have for me today, Anais?" Deanna opened the window and took the letters from the owl's foot. She had letters from Hermione, Harry and Ron and Hogwarts. She opened the ones from Harry and Ron first, and it was only about Harry thanking her for the birthday present, a Wizard Chess set, and Ron thanking her for the Quidditch playbook she sent. Then, she opened the one from Hermione.

Dearest Deanna,

Are you doing well? As to answer your previous question, I really do love phoenixes. They're quite amazing, aren't they? And I love the colors red and yellow. Why did you suddenly ask? Anyways, I hope I was able to answer your questions well, and I'm glad we get to know each other more like this.

I miss you too, Deanna. I can't wait to see you again!

Love,

Hermione

Deanna was a blushing mess as soon as she finished reading the letter from Hermione. She loved phoenixes? But Deanna was a phoenix. Did she count? She shook her head and slapped her cheeks lightly. "Get it together, Dumbledore."

Deanna turned around and saw Fawkes tilting his head while looking at her. "I know I look crazy." She mumbled and opened her Hogwarts letter and there was her booklist with a little note from Minerva and in Deanna's envelope was a badge. The badge of the Quidditch captain. She then remembered Zacharias Smith and chuckled. It might be a long year, but at least she had Quidditch. There was another letter inside.

My little phoenix,

Congratulations on becoming Quidditch Captain. Get ready on Saturday because you and Hagrid will be going to Diagon Alley to buy what you need. Good day, love.

Pops

Deanna smiled slightly and ruffled the little feathers on Fawkes' back. "This is going to be a good year, Fawkes."

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"Dee! Are yeh ready to go?" Hagrid smiled widely as Deanna went out of the Hog's Head. It was finally Saturday, and Deanna and Hagrid were going to Diagon Alley to buy what she needed.

Deanna held the potion kit that she was going to give to Fred and George in her hand and held Hagrid's big hand in the other. "Ready, Ruby."

Hagrid grinned at her and closed his hand on the umbrella portkey, and Deanna felt a tug at her navel and after a moment, they were finally in Diagon Alley. She frowned at the sight. It had changed a lot, from the shops to the structure, but that was not what made Deanna frown. It was the fact that the walls were now lined with posters of Death Eaters, and the bright and cheerful atmosphere of Diagon Alley was replaced with that of a somber one.

"How's Grawpy, Rubeus? Is he doing well with Witherwings?" Deanna smiled slightly at the thought of their friends. Grawp had a rough year last year and thanks to Dumbledore, he now had a place to stay at and Witherwings, formerly Buckbeak, was having the time of his life. Deanna got to ride with him once and thankfully, the Hippogriff loved her and did not throw her off.

"Oh, they're doing well. They miss you badly. Now, come on, Dee. We have someone to fetch." Hagrid started pulling Deanna to the direction of the Leaky Cauldron.

"Who are we going to meet up with, Rubeus?" Deanna asked curiously.

"You'll see." The mysterious grin on Hagrid's face made Deanna even more curious. As they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, a car stopped right in front of them, and Deanna grinned widely once she saw who was inside.

"Harry!" Deanna and Hagrid shouted in unison and pulled him into a tight hug. Harry laughed loudly and hugged them back just as tight, none of them caring about the stares of the Muggles at them.

Deanna let him go and ran to Ron who just came out of the car. "Ron!"

"Excited now, are we?" Ron caught the girl with a grin. "I think there's someone else who wants to talk to you."

"Who –" Deanna cut herself off because Ron turned her around and she came face to face with Hermione Granger. "H-Hermione."

"What was that, Deanna?" Hermione said teasingly though her heart was not calm at all. When Deanna blushed even more, Hermione smiled softly and took the smaller girl into her arms, she just hoped her heart would calm down a bit for Deanna not to hear her loud heart that only beat like that for her. "I missed you, Deanna."

Deanna's arms snaked around Hermione's waist naturally, and she buried her face into Hermione's shoulder to hide her smile. The warmth that came with Hermione, that warmth she missed badly was back. "I missed you too." The two of them let go after a long hug and smiled at each other.

"Oh, Deanna, we missed you!" Deanna was whisked away by Molly who looked over her in a motherly manner. Hermione smiled at the sight before turning back to Harry and Ron. "Have you been eating and sleeping well?"

"I'm fine, Molly." Deanna chuckled and shook hands with Arthur. "It's good to see you all again. And hello there, Gin. It's good to see you again." She gave the Gryffindor a quick hug.

"But you're happier to see her, right?" Ginny whispered teasingly and grinned when Deanna blushed once more. "Don't worry, you're not the only one who missed her."

"Two lions told me you and a Mister Thomas are doing well?" Deanna smirked when this time, it was Ginny who was blushing. Ginny started punching Deanna on the shoulder and Deanna just laughed while trying to dodge her punches.

"You're going to melt them with that stare." Ron whispered to Hermione who was staring hard at Deanna and Ginny. Hermione cleared her throat and started walking again. She couldn't help it. Despite knowing that Ginny was dating Dean, seeing Deanna with someone else still made her feel something. Jealousy.

"She can talk to anyone she wants to." Hermione grumbled and set her eyes straight ahead, determined not to look back at the two girls.

"Hermione." And with that call of her name, Hermione's resolve was broken down and she looked behind her to see Deanna smiling at her. Deanna grinned at her and took Hermione's hand. "Come on." Hermione let the smile spread on her face and intertwined their fingers. All her worries washed away because Deanna was here. She was holding Deanna's hand and that was enough reassurance for Hermione.

Deanna was surprised at her bold actions but she saw how Hermione was looking frustrated after she talked with Ron so she punched Ron lightly and took Hermione's hand. It may have been an action that friends would not do with each other, but the smile on Hermione's face made it all worth it.

After a long talk and walk into Diagon Alley, they finally arrived at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, which was like the star in this night sky. Deanna then remembered the potions kit she asked Hagrid to hide for her. She let go of Hermione's hand and ran to Hagrid. Hermione watched her go with a look of disappointment

"One for your little girl, madam?" A man who was selling amulets called at Molly as they passed, leering at Ginny. "Protect her pretty neck?"

"If I were on duty..." said Arthur, glaring angrily at the amulet seller.

"Yes, but don't go arresting anyone now, dear, we're in a hurry," said Molly, nervously consulting a list. "I think we'd better do Madam Malkin's first, Hermione wants new dress robes, and Ron's showing much too much ankle in his school robes, and you must need new ones too, Harry, you've grown so much — come on, everyone —"

"Molly, it doesn't make sense for all of us to go to Madam Malkin's," said Arthur. "Why don't those three go with Hagrid and Deanna, and we can go to Flourish and Blotts and get everyone's schoolbooks?"

"I don't know," said Molly anxiously. "Hagrid, do you think — ?"

"Don' fret, they'll be fine with us, Molly," said Hagrid soothingly.

"We got them, Molly." Deanna patted her on the shoulder and that seemed to convince Molly who then went to Flourish and Blotts with Arthur and Ginny. "Oh, Rubeus, can I have my kit?" Hagrid nodded and handed her the Potions kit while leading the way to Madam Malkin's.

"What's that, Deanna?" Ron asked curiously.

"This, Ron, is my Christmas present to your brothers." Deanna patted the kit proudly. This would definitely make business boom for them. Well, boom more than it had already been booming.

"Isn't that what you got from Professor Slughorn's house?" Harry asked after remembering that Deanna left the room for some sort of kit.

"What's in there?" Hermione asked with doubt. If Deanna was giving it to the twins, she knew it meant some kind of trouble or prank.

"Yeah, this is it. I'll tell you all about it soon, Mione. Now, go on. Rubeus and I will wait for you here." Deanna ushered them into Madam Malkin's, not letting them ask any more questions. She leaned on the wall with Hagrid. "Everything has changed, hasn't it, Rubeus?"

"Indeed, Deanna." Hagrid let out a sigh. "All we have left is hope. Hope we are enough. Hope what we're doing would be enough."

"We are more than enough, Rubeus." Deanna said determinedly. "We will win this war, and we will bring back peace and joy even if it means our own lives." The two of them basked into a comfortable silence, thinking over each other's words. Hope, strength. Honestly, they needed more than that to win this. Voldemort had allies everywhere. He had the dementors, the giants, the werewolves and so much more creatures. They've only got themselves, but Deanna knew they would be more than enough. Dumbledore was there, the Order was there. The fire was still alight and it would burn more and more.

The slamming of the door broke her out of her thoughts and she saw Draco and Narcissa Malfoy walking out of the shop. She and Hagrid looked at each other, but both of them decided to keep quiet and wait for Harry, Ron and Hermione to come out. After a few minutes, the trio came out with the robes they needed.

"Got ev'rything?" asked Hagrid brightly.

"Just about," said Harry. "Did you see the Malfoys?"

"Yeah, we did." Deanna said in a grim tone. "Don't worry about them though. Oh, there they are." Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged looks at the avoidance of the two but decided to let it go for now. Molly, Arthur and Ginny came to them while holding packages of books. Deanna took one from Molly to help ease her load.

"Thank you, dear. Everyone all right?" said Molly. "Got your robes? Right then, we can pop in at the Apothecary and Eeylops on the way to Fred and George's — stick close, now..."

Deanna stayed outside with Hagrid again but this time she watched Hermione go around the Apothecary with a soft smile on her face. The Gryffindor was absorbed in buying several ingredients for Potions. Deanna wasn't sure about what career she wanted to take, but she knew Hermione wanted to work in the Ministry and raise the state of living for house elves.

That just made her fall even more. Hermione was passionate enough to help these house elves, who were always discriminated, and Deanna just had a feeling that she wanted to be there when that happened. After they bought what they needed in Eeylops, they then went on their way to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

"We really haven't got too long," Mrs. Weasley said. "So we'll just have a quick look around and then back to the car. We must be close, that's number ninety-two... ninety-four..."

"Whoa," said Ron, stopping in his tracks. Deanna's eyes widened in surprise and excitement. Fireworks burst inside the store and made the windows light up. Deanna smiled at the sight. In this dark Diagon Alley, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was the light. It brought back life and happiness. Deanna laughed loudly when she noticed the sign about U-No-Poo. It was brilliant indeed, and she held in her chuckles when she saw Molly mouthing the product's name.

"They'll be murdered in their beds!" Molly whispered.

"No they won't!" said Ron, who was laughing. "This is brilliant!"

As they made their way inside, Deanna glanced at Hermione who was looking around in awe. She grinned and made her way to the unsuspecting witch. "I've heard you didn't approve of their products."

Hermione jumped in surprise and playfully glared at the laughing badger. "And I heard it's bad to sneak up on people."

"What can I say? You're adorable." Deanna winked at her and started walking around, not seeing how Hermione was blushing and staring after her. Well, after what Deanna said, Hermione couldn't help but stare.

Those letters, her words and actions, they just confused Hermione even more. She wanted to tell Deanna what she felt, but she wasn't even sure about Deanna's feelings. She wanted to believe Deanna liked her back, but it just seemed too good to be true, and this... whatever this was that was happening between them, it just made Hermione hope more.

After walking around the store for a while, Deanna decided to look for her favorite Weasley twins, and she smiled once she found them. "I see you've used the plans. And indeed, you exceeded my expectations"

"How have you been, Deanna?" George said with a grin.

"They've been very useful. Uncle Ignatius and Granddad are brilliant. Like you, Deanna." Fred let out a chuckle.

"And I've got an early Christmas gift for you two." Deanna set the potion kit on the counter and giggled at their confused expressions. "Well, open it then. Just know you won't be able to get anything from me for this Christmas."

Deanna watched Fred and George open the kit with anticipation, and they did not disappoint. Fred and George had their jaws dropped and they looked from her to the kit and back to her again.

Fred stuttered. "N-No –"

" – way." George whispered.

"Yes, I know I'm –" Deanna was cut off because the twins hugged her tight. She smiled softly and hugged them back. She knew Thaddeus and Ignatius were happy up there. She may not see them but she could feel it.

"Thank you, Deanna." Fred and George said in unison. The two of them were too grateful for words to describe what they felt. Deanna helped them in so many ways. From giving them the plan of making swamps to giving them this plan for a joke shop and even buying this spot for them to giving them more ideas. Yes, Deanna Dumbledore was indeed their savior, and hopefully, they could give back to her one day.

"Make people laugh, you two." Deanna said in a soft voice. "We need laughter and hope in these times, and I know it's you two who can give it the most."

'They did it, Thaddeus, Ignatius. They did it.'

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