Stone Angels

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Stone Angels
Skeletons in the Closet

Once they reached the common room, it didn’t take long for Professor Dumbledore to expand the table and conjure more chairs. They waited for the Weasley’s to return with Neville and Luna, while Professors Snape and Lupin took the boggart to the Defense classroom. They had only been gone for a minute when their group of shoppers returned.

“Oiy, Harry, you’re lucky,” said Ron. “We somehow managed to find everything.”

“What’s going on?” asked Ginny.

“We have something to discuss,” replied Harry, “It’s going to take all of us to do this.”

“That doesn’t sound good, Harry,” said Ginny handing him the package she carried.

“Once everyone returns we’ll explain.” Harry took the package over to the nearest desk.
“Then let’s get everyone together,” she replied.

“We’re just waiting for Professor Snape and Professor Lupin to get back. Hey, Ginny, ‘Mione probably needs a hug.”

Ginny took a quick glance around Harry’s shoulder. She found Hermione sitting at the new round table with parchment and a quill. Her face was set with a determination she had never seen before.

“Things didn’t go well at the Ministry I take it.”

“Not for her,” admitted Harry.

“Thank you,” said Ginny before she hurried over to Hermione.

“Potter,” said a familiar drawl, “I… I wanted to… to… Ijustwantedtothankyoufornottellinganyone.”

Harry was left with a deer in the headlight look. “Let’s go over here Malfoy.”

Draco nodded and followed Harry across the room. He was a little surprised when the dark haired boy cast a privacy spell around them.

“What is this, Potter?” asked Draco.

“I wanted to talk,” Harry began before running a hand through his hair. “I think you should know, when I picked you up, I saw everything.”

“What do you mean, everything?” asked Draco. He became paler than he all ready was.

“I saw what she did to you.”

“So what now, Potter, are you going to laugh it up? Will you tease me and treat me like I’ve treated you and your friends?” asked Draco. His long arms wrapped around him, as though he were warding off a chill. “Was it all tricks to get me to trust you?”

“No, it wasn’t a trick and I’m not going to tease you. I… I thought that you should know. Hermione, Professor Snape, and Mrs. Weasley know too. None of us will tell.” Harry blushed but continued. “If you ever need someone to talk to, even if you just need to rant, I’ll listen. I can’t promise to be able to help, or to even know how to respond, but I’ll listen, no strings attached.”

“Why should I trust you?” asked Draco.

“Why not?” asked Harry. “You’re going to have to make your own decision about this. Trust me, if not for the sake of being friends then for Arianna and Hermione.”

“I already said I’d be your friend, Harry,” sighed Draco. “I’ve wanted to be your friend for a long time.”

~*~

“What’s going on Remus?” asked Severus. “Miss Granger seemed to be very upset.”

“They’ve given her a week to meet their demands, and it’s nearly impossible. Albus can explain when we return.” Remus opened the trunk and allowed Severus to dispose of the boggart.

“What kind of demands?” questioned Snape.

“To give you a good idea, the man set up her Apparition classes for next month while retrieving the list demanding she have her Apparition license by the end of the week.”

“She’s a bright witch, call in Rolanda, she’ll have it before the end of the week,” replied Snape.

“There’s more to it. Professor Dumbledore wants us to clean out Rose Haven for them. Once the officials see them living in Rose Haven it will begin to sink in that they’re not Muggle-born. I don’t like it; this transition will difficult enough without it being made public knowledge so quickly.”

“It may be the best thing. Arianna will have less trouble adjusting if she is thrown right into it and I have no doubt that Hermione will adjust well.” Professor Snape led the way out of the DADA classroom and back towards Angel Tower.

“I disagree; they need to be introduced slowly, as children would be. Give them time to learn the ropes.”

“You would have us coddle them and they would never survive.” He pushed through the door, as soon as Remus said the password. “Do you realize what they’ll face when they join high society? Every gesture, look, and word will be picked apart. They will be recognized by everyone. I would not be surprised if Voldemort even approached them with an offer.”

“But you can’t just expect to just drop them in the middle of it and abandon them!” Professor Lupin’s voice was loud enough it filled the common room.

“What happened to being friends?” asked Molly as they sat at the table.

“Just because we’re friends,” spat Snape, “doesn’t mean we agree on everything.”

“Let’s get this meeting underway, shall we,” said Dumbledore with twinkling eyes.

While they waited for everyone to sit down, Hermione turned to Headmaster Dumbledore, “Headmaster, who will be going over Apparation theory with me. I’ve read all of the texts in the library about it but I’d like to know who will be testing me.”

“I just spoke with Madam Hooch; she will be joining us tomorrow to begin your class.” Dumbledore gazed at each person at the round table. “Things at the Ministry did not go as planned. They will only grant Hermione custody of her sister if she can fulfill their requirements. The list is quite ridiculous but we have no control over it. We do, however, have one week to meet said requirements. I am proposing we leave early tomorrow to secure Rose Haven, the home they have inherited from their grandmother.”

“What’s the catch, Albus?” asked Minerva softly.

“Rose Haven has not been inhabited in nearly sixty years,” he replied. He smoothed his beard down before continuing. “Rose Haven is nearly as ancient as Hogwarts; though it is a significantly smaller castle, it is still a wizarding home and as such, attracts unwanted creatures.”

“It has had a long time to collect all sorts of creatures,” said Molly thoughtfully, “If it’s anything like Grimmauld Place, we’re going to need to prepare.”

“Grimmauld Place?” Draco asked Harry, “That’s a Black family manor too.”

“It’s the house I inherited from my godfather,” replied Harry. He watched Draco’s reaction from the corner of his eye.

“Oh.”

Harry turned his attention back just in time to catch part of what Mrs. Weasley was saying. “We’re also going to need Doxycide.”

“What about wards on the house?” asked Hermione. “I don’t know what kind of wards Grandma Lily had. How are we going to get in?”

“They’re probably like the ones on Malfoy Manor,” offered Draco in his familiar drawl. “They’re probably keyed to your magical signature. They should open for you without question.”

“If not, we have two of the best curse-breakers in the wizarding world right here,” replied Professor McGonagall. “Bill and Severus should be able to sort out anything we come across.”

“What do we know about the manor itself?” asked Charlie.

“It has four levels and one dungeon,” replied Albus Dumbledore. “There are four towers, one of which can only be accessed by the owner of Rose Haven. The only way to access it is to approach from the north and pass through two walls. The Apparition point is too dangerous to use until Hermione is accepted as the owner. The point is secured by an ancient rose maze. If you are not invited, the maze keeps you trapped until the current owner releases you. ”

“There’s a legend.” Draco fidgeted with his sleeve and kept his eyes down. “Do you know why it’s called Rose Haven?”

Hermione was caught off guard by how oddly the blonde was behaving. “No, Draco, I don’t know. Will you tell me?”

Draco’s head snapped up and he found he could focus on the red of her dress; it was a color that his mother would never wear. “Rose Haven was built for the Lady Melisande by her only brother. Her husband was a cruel man. He sent an assassin to kill his brother-in-law, her last remaining family member. He built Rose Haven for her and there is a spell that passes it from mother to daughter. Only those people invited in by the current daughter may enter. Lady Melisande stayed with her husband until she came with child. When her twins were born, she ran away and they lived within the safety of Rose Haven. It is said that her husband tried to steal her children but her brother had build a secret apartment within Rose Haven. No one knows where the entrance is. The last person that knew of its location was Melisande’s daughter, Titania.” He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the gold rose locket as he spoke. “Titania was a brilliant witch known for her curse breaking abilities. She was supposedly incredibly kind and opened Rose Haven to Muggles, witches, and wizards seeking haven from some tragedy that happened then.”

“That is eerily like the Chamber of Secrets and yet so very opposite it,” said Ginny. Her face was pale, “There aren’t supposed to be any creatures in the secret apartment, are there?”

“I don’t remember.” Draco’s eyes followed the grain of the table rather than look at the red haired girl. “I was very young when I heard the story. When Mother found out I was talking to the portrait, she had it destroyed.”

“That was very helpful,” said Hermione softly. “Headmaster, you said that Rose Haven is very large, would we be able to map it?”

“What are you thinking up ‘Mione?” asked Harry. He recognized the glint playing in her eyes.

“It is possible, but it would take a lot of work,” replied Dumbledore brightly.

“Headmaster, can I get the word of every professor here that they won’t take what I’m about to get out. It isn’t dangerous, just helpful for students.” Hermione looked directly at the wizened old man.

“As long as it isn’t dangerous, I won’t allow anyone to take it from you.”

“Harry, may we use your map?” she asked with a small satisfied smile.

Harry looked around the room at the curious professors before reaching into his bag and taking out the Marauders Map. He placed it on the table before him, still folded. Snape’s eyes widened at the sight of it and he glared at Lupin across the table.

“I took that from you in third year!” snapped Snape.

“You gave it to me then spilled my secret, so I gave it back,” replied Remus with a smirk. “It’s not dangerous, though I’d love to know where you got it from, Harry.”

“Fred and George gave it to me,” he said ducking his head.

“We nicked it from Filch in our first year,” grinned Fred.

“Made our lives so much easier,” snickered George.

“Miss Granger said it was a map but I don’t see anything,” glared Snape.

Harry took out his wand. “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good,” he whispered so only Draco and Professor Dumbledore could hear him.

“Who are Moony, Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail?” asked Draco.

“Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, James Potter, and Peter Pettigrew,” replied Harry. “They created this map while they were in school.”

“Do you think we can make one of these for Rose Haven?” asked Hermione.

“I don’t see why we wouldn’t be able to. It would probably be better. We were very young when we made that map. James nearly killed us brewing the potion for the ink in the girl’s bathroom on the second floor.”

Ron couldn’t keep the laughter from spilling out and tears falling down his cheeks. “You thought no one would think to look in there for odd potions brewing, too, didn’t you.”

“Ron!” shrieked Hermione.

“Might as well tell them ‘Mione,” said Harry with a smile. “Certain people already knew it happened; I mean you did end up in hospital wing.”

“That wasn’t because I messed up the potion! It was because I was careless in collecting my hairs,” she huffed indignantly.

“We can still tell them. I’m sure that Professor Snape would be at least a little impressed if he knew,” said Ron with a glare at Snape.

Hermione glanced from Ron to Snape before launching into the explanation. “Second year, I brewed polyjuice potion so that we could sneak into the Slytherin Commons to find out if Malfoy was the Heir of Slytherin. Harry and Ron went as Crabbe and Goyle, after we put a sleeping potion into two cupcakes for them. I was going to go as Millicent but got her cat’s hair instead.”

Snape raised his eyebrow at her. “You forgot the part about cracking the wards on my private stores to steal boomslang skin.” He didn’t bother telling her how dangerous it had been for her to brew that in second year.

“Can we return to the subject, please?” requested Hermione. “Can we make a map like this of Rose Haven?”

“I don’t see why not,” said Remus thoughtfully. “Harry and Draco can fly the grounds and probably cover it a lot better than James could by himself. If we split into groups, it will be a lot easier too. It takes at least two people to perform the spell. It will spread outward from wherever the caster is standing. Hogwarts was big enough that the spell had to be done from several different points throughout the castle for the map to be accurate. It has to be done floor by floor and the arithmantic equations for finding the points to cast the spell from are painful at best.”

“How did you combine it all together?” asked Professor McGonagall.

“It’s a very simple spell; most first years can use it.”

“Headmaster, is the lab finished?” asked Professor Snape.

“Yes, it was finished earlier.”

“Hermione and I can finish all the potions we will need to have within a few short hours,” suggested the dark potions master.

“Would it be all right if Draco and I went out to the Quidditch pitch and get a little flying in? Hey, maybe Arianna would like to learn to fly.” Harry looked at the blonde beside him. “What do you think, Draco; could teach her?”

“I don’t see why not,” replied Draco thoughtfully. “Maybe she’ll be interested in training to be Slytherin’s new seeker and give Slytherin a chance at the cup after we leave.”

“You do realize that I’m sitting right here don’t you,” demanded a small voice from across the table.

Violet blue eyes and green eyes turned to find large amber eyes. Both boys blushed lightly and murmured, “Sorry.”

“Just don’t try to do that,” said the girl with blazing eyes. “It’s my life.”

“I don’t think that you should fly tonight. Maybe tomorrow afternoon you can take a break, long enough to fly,” said Molly Weasley.

Dumbledore smiled softly at the disappointed boys. “We will take a break tomorrow for a small game and maybe Rolanda will supervise you teaching young Miss Granger if she wishes to learn. I suggest that all of you spend some time talking and getting to know each other tonight, as you will be spending a lot more time together. You may find that tragedy, like the fire of the Phoenix, burns away the past allowing us to begin again. Please, remember that we will be leaving early. Breakfast is at seven thirty in the Great Hall and we will leave by eight thirty. I suggest everyone take a bag with a few essentials in it. We do not know what we will find. Sometime tonight, I also suggest that everyone pair off and revise your defense skills.”

“If that is all, Headmaster, Hermione and I will begin brewing the Doxycide and anti-toxin.”

“Yes, yes,” answered Professor Dumbledore waving them off, “Have fun, my dears.”

~*~

Hermione glanced around the medium sized lab. The tall windows on one wall impressed her. She easily identified the ingredients cabinet as it looked just like the one in the Potions classroom. On the wall opposite the windows, she found a blackboard and a shelf filled with different sizes of cauldrons. Another built in set of shelves filled with empty vials.

“Where did all of this come from?” asked Hermione.

“You accepted the position of Potions Assistant which leads into a teaching position; therefore, you work for Hogwarts. Now, the instructions are on the board, we’ll begin with the anti-toxin. I know that you’ve brewed it before, so while you work, I will begin the Doxycide base.”

“Yes Sir,” she said before setting up her cauldron.

He watched her covertly while setting up his own cauldron. As he watched her, he wondered, not for the first time, if he should be doing this. Could he honestly allow himself so close to her? He quickly made a mental list of what he needed while she retrieved her ingredients. Once she was finished within the confines of the cupboard, he quickly gathered his ingredients.

As he placed his ingredients on the worktable he made the mistake of looking up. She was placing her ingredients in ordered rows by use, bottom lip held lightly between her teeth. While he’d been in the cupboard, she had tied her hair back and conjured a heavy robe to protect her clothing and skin. He managed to tear his eyes away, angry with himself for staring, just as she looked up.

‘Idiot!’ he berated himself silently, ‘she is your student! Besides, why would she want you when she has Potter.’

“Professor, are you okay?” asked Hermione.

His head snapped up and their eyes met before he dragged them away. “I’m well. Let’s get finished so that we may follow the Headmaster’s orders and get to know everyone.”

Hermione was surprised by his attitude but wisely said nothing. While he returned to working, Hermione found herself enthralled by his hands. They were beautiful hands, wide across the palm with long elegant fingers.

“Miss Granger?” A blush spread across her cheeks when she realized he had been watching her watch him.

“Sorry, sir, I was thinking,” she replied biting her lip.

“I can see that. Since you can obviously brew that on autopilot, we will begin potions for hospital wing next week. Hopefully by that time we will have our healer apprentice so we won’t have to do it twice. Now, let’s begin.”

~*~

Harry watched as Luna, Ginny, and Arianna prepared for what they planned. As soon as Professor Dumbledore said they should get to know everyone, they began to whisper and Harry knew they were in trouble. ‘Girls shouldn’t be allowed to whisper and giggle like that.’

“Scary isn’t it.”

Harry turned to find Draco beside him and a smile on his face. “Yes, very scary. I was just thinking that girls shouldn’t be allowed to whisper and giggle like that.”

“I completely agree,” responded Draco. “Whenever Pansy and her friends get like that, I know I’m in trouble. Blaise and I usually tried to escape pretty fast.”

“Too bad we can’t do that right now,” said Neville joining them.

“What’s wrong, afraid of a few girls?” asked Draco.

“When they’re like this, yes. I love Ginny dearly, but when she and Luna start whispering and giggling, it’s time to disappear.”

Draco’s jaw dropped. “You and Fire-head are a couple… There are going to be a lot of disappointed guys.”

“So what about you, Draco, are you with Pansy or what? Rumor has it you’re betrothed,” Neville questioned.

“I was betrothed,” corrected Draco. “I’m gay and refused to take the dark mark. Pansy’s family will make her take the mark if she can’t escape and she’s in deep for Blaise.”

“What about Blaise?” asked Harry. “Does he want to take the mark?”

“No, last time I was able to talk to him, he was searching for a way to get out of it.”

“Harry, have you asked him yet?” asked Neville.

“Ask me what?” asked Draco.

“Have you heard of the DA?” asked Harry.

“A little in fifth year but I was too busy trying to keep Umbridge from discovering Blaise, Pansy, and me. Why?” He turned, slightly frightened violet-blue eyes locking on bright green ones.

“Would you like to join? Snape joined us last night. The only thing is you can’t tell anyone about us. The DA is made up of the people I trust to stand with me against Voldemort. Only those invited in by those of us living in this tower will make it into the inner circle. I’m asking because I trust you.”

“I… What do you do?”

“We teach some of the younger years and ourselves defense spells and stuff like that,” explained Ron. “We recognize and accept that the final battle is coming and will be fought here. Not even the Order of the Phoenix has acknowledged that.”

“Here! But why bring it here? There’s nothing but children here!” cried Draco.

“That’s just it, Draco, they’re just children. What better way to bring the world to its knees?” Harry ran a hand through his messy hair. “He would kill their innocence and take their lives just to see if he could make anyone just like him.”

“How do you know all of this, Harry?” asked Draco.

Strong fingers brushed his scar. “He likes to make me watch. We’re linked, he and I. He wants me to be just like him. I can keep him from reading my thoughts, but I can’t prevent him from giving me his.”

“I see. So you have been learning defense without any offense.” Draco looked thoughtfully at Ron and Neville. “I’m in on the condition that we teach offense as well as defense. Who decides what you learn?”

“We do,” answered Harry. “Hermione’s been the brains of this operation since day one. Ron, will you get the contract and a quill. I’ve really pushed the limits of what I can safely say.”

While Ron retrieved the contract, Draco had one last question.

“Do we answer to Dumbledore?” he asked, worry was clearly written on his face.

“No,” replied Neville, “We only answer to Harry.”

“Good,” he sighed, “I don’t trust the twinkling bastard.”

“We can’t trust him; he has withheld too much important information.”

“You missed the fun yesterday, Draco,” said Snape walking in. “It seems not all Gryffindors are as they appear. For once, they aren’t running in blindly.”

“The Sorting hat wanted to put me in Slytherin, so what’s it matter,” said Harry watching Draco’s expression go from disbelieving to thoughtful to shocked.

“You’re serious, aren’t you,” gasped Draco. “Hermione wouldn’t have stunned me if she said that but you, you’re the Gryffindor Golden Boy.”

“I hate that name,” ground out Harry, “just like I hate being called The-Boy-Who-Lived and every other variation that has come out.”

“Started without me?” asked Lupin as he entered.

“Harry was just venting a bit.” Ron grinned while handing over the contract and quill.

“Since you’re here,” said Harry getting very serious. “Have you heard of the DA?”

“Only a bit of whispering in the halls. I haven’t been around here much and you’ve been awfully secretive about it,” answered Remus.

“We’ve been teaching each other Defense Against the Dark Arts.” Harry met his eyes before continuing. “We’re looking for more support. Professor Snape joined last night and Draco’s about to sign. I would really like you to help us.”

“What would you expect of me?” asked Remus.

“Teach us. You and Professor Snape will only deal with those of us living in this tower and we’ll teach the others. No one outside of this tower would know,” explained Harry.

“Does Professor Dumbledore know what you’re doing?” asked Remus.

“No, and if you sign the contract you can’t tell anyone that’s not in the DA about us.”

“I’ll join you, but I would like to see what you’ve been teaching,” said Remus with a smile.

“I would also like to see the lists that you were talking about last night,” added Professor Snape. “I believe you said Hermione kept them.”

Draco signed the contract and handed it to Remus before changing the subject. “We should do that later. Right now, we’re supposed to be getting to know each other. How do you suppose we should do that?”

“We’ve got that all figured out.” Ginny’s grin was positively frightening to the rest of the room.

“Arianna suggested a wonderful game,” added Luna with a smirk.

“What game, sweets?” asked Ron.

“Skeletons in the closet,” responded Arianna. “We’re gonna play the wizarding version though.”

“We are not playing such a childish game,” snapped Snape.

“What’s wrong, Severus, afraid they’ll ask the wrong questions?” smirked Lupin.

Snape glared but conceded, “What are the terms of the game?”

Arianna smiled evilly. “You ask yes or no questions of the person next to you and they have to answer. If they choose to not answer you can choose something for them to do. If someone doesn’t believe their answer they say Skeletons in the closet and the person has to tell the whole story truthfully or their face will change colors. If someone says skeletons in the closet and the person isn’t lying, the accuser will be doused with cold water.”

“No one is allowed to sit by their significant other, godfather, or sibling,” said Ginny happily. “If everyone agrees to the terms, find a seat in the circle and say ‘I agree to the terms of the game.’”

Ginny, Luna, and Arianna were pleased to see everyone find seats and say the words to start the game. Once everyone else was seated, they too found seats and started the game.

“So, who’s going first?” asked Ron. He seemed nervous as he looked around the circle.

“I’ll begin I guess.” Ginny looked from one professor to the other before deciding to go right. “Professor Snape, do you really hate the students?”

“No,” he replied with a smirk.

“Skeletons in the Closet!” cried Ron. To everyone’s surprise, no sooner than the words left his mouth water dropped on him from above.

“You shouldn’t jump to conclusions too quickly, Ron,” scolded Hermione.

“Miss Lovegood,” began Snape looking to his right, “Are you really as crazy as you seem?”

“Yes.” Luna grinned before asking her question, “Harry, do you remember getting your scar?”

Harry looked stunned but nodded and turned to Arianna, “Are you really eleven?”

“No, I’m forty-two.”

“Arianna,” warned Hermione.

“Fine, I am eleven. I’ve been sick so long it made me stop growing for a while.” She crossed her arms and glared at Harry before continuing. “It’s not like you have room to talk, you don’t look seventeen. You look thirteen, tops.”

“I was half starved for the first eleven years of my life, not something that’s conducive to growth,” snarked Harry.

“Agreed,” admitted Arianna softly. “Ron, do you really have a crush on my sister?”

“No,” he admitted with a relieved sigh.

“Skeletons in the Closet,” proclaimed Neville with a grin before the water fell.

“Sorry, mate, I figured out in fifth year that we were better off as friends,” said Ron. “Draco, have you always wanted to be a Death Eater?”

“Oh yes, Weasley, I’ve always wanted to kneel before a madman.” He had a straight face that nearly convinced everyone.

“Skeletons in the Closet,” responded Harry though it was barely above a whisper.

“You’re right, Harry, I haven’t always wanted to be a Death Eater. I’ve never wanted to be a Death Eater. I’ve had to keep up a mask since I was very young. I had to fool my Mother and Father or risk never seeing Hogwarts.” Draco looked suddenly uncomfortable, as though his Mother would jump from a shadow if he blinked. Finally, he continued, “Neville, do you purposefully blow up cauldrons?”

“Yes.”

“Skeletons in the Closet, Longbottom,” said Snape with an evil grin. The grin disappeared as soon as the cold water fell.

“Sorry, Professor, but I haven’t been afraid of you since third year,” laughed Neville. “I keep up appearances because I find out a lot of information. People aren’t afraid to talk around the bumbling idiot, and if the war makes it here and I fight other students, they won’t expect me to be able to fight back.”

“How very Slytherin of you,” responded Snape unhappily before casting a drying charm.

“So, Hermione, have you ever blown up a cauldron?” asked Neville with a grin.

“No.”

“Hermione,” laughed Arianna, “Does making dinner count?”

“Yes, I believe it does,” replied Snape.

“Fine,” said Hermione crossing her arms. “I really messed up making dinner one night and destroyed the kitchen. Had we been in potions I would have failed the assignment.” She looked at Remus with an evil little smile. “Have you ever really hated Professor Snape?”

“No, I would have liked to become his friend,” answered the werewolf.

“Yeah, and I’m Merlin dressed in a little pink tutu,” muttered Snape before being doused with water again.

“I actually would have liked to be your friend in school. Imagine the pair we would have made! They thought James and Sirius were trouble; we would have been hell in a handbasket.” Remus gave the room a wolfish grin.

“Indeed,” murmured Snape thoughtfully.

“Ginny, have you ever had a boyfriend that your brothers didn’t know about?”

“Of course.” She glared at Ron. “If you even try to get it out of me, I’ll hex you into Christmas break.”

“How long does this game last, Red?” asked Draco.

“Five rounds. After the next one, we can ask anyone in the circle questions,” Ginny replied, “This time we go the opposite direction. Remus, are you going to stay after the year ends?”

“No,” he replied.

“But why? You’re the best Defense Against the Dark Arts professor we’ve had since coming to Hogwarts,” protested Harry.

“I’m marrying Tonks in a year,” explained Remus. “We plan on using our combined skills for other things.”

“We’re talking later,” warned Harry, the hurt was obvious in his eyes.

“Yes, we’ll talk. I’ll explain everything,” agreed Remus before beginning his questioning, “Did you really use a time turner in your third year?”

“Yes, but no one was supposed to know about it,” pouted Hermione.

“Not many know, but you know how secrets go at Hogwarts,” smiled Remus.

“Neville, is it true that your grandmother has talked to you about the possibility of you and Ginny marrying?” asked Hermione slyly.

Neville blushed bright red. “Yes.”

“You’re gonna have your hands full, mate,” chuckled Ron.

“Yeah, but I like her temper.” Neville smiled sweetly at Ginny who blushed.

“Gah! Sugar poisoning,” cried Draco, making Harry laugh loudly.

“I wouldn’t be so quick to claim sugar poisoning,” complained Ron, “you haven’t had to spend the whole summer with them. It’s been horrible. You don’t know what it’s like to walk in on your little sister snogging one of your best friends.”

“I’m impressed Longbottom,” laughed Draco. “Not only do you think like a Slytherin, you’ve managed to catch the girl that more than half the male population at Hogwarts has been trying to snatch up since her first year. Now, Ron, before we met, were you ever told bad things about my family.”

“No,” replied Ron, “We never talked about any other families.”

“Oh,” sighed Draco, “let’s finish this up; we have to be up early tomorrow.”

Ron couldn’t help but notice the pensive look on the blonde’s face but shrugged it off and asked his question. “Do you like to read as much as your sister?”

“No, not really,” answered Arianna. “I’ve spent too much time lying around with nothing but books. There are too many other things I want to do.”

“Understandable,” smiled Ron.

“Do you like all the attention you get cause you’re famous?”

“No.” Harry wrapped his arms around himself and sank into his seat a bit more.

“Skeletons in the closet, Potter.” Smirked Draco. The cold water dropping on his head washed the smirk away.

“I hate all the attention it gets me. I just want people to leave me alone. I wasn’t old enough to understand what was happening when I killed Voldemort. Besides, the way the prophecy was written, it could have just as easily been Neville. I hate the hand I’ve been dealt but you know what, I’ll do what’s expected of me so that no one else has to live with the shitty childhood that I’ve lived with.” The room was silenced by his outburst. Several minutes later he found the voice to speak again, “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to blow up at you. Let’s just keep playing. Luna, does it bother you when people call you Loony Luna?”

“No, not really. I know I’m strange to others; I just don’t care.” She looked thoughtful for a second before pulling her wand out and playing with it. “Professor Snape, do you really want the DADA position?”

“Yes.”

“Skeletons in the Closet, Uncle Severus,” called Draco.

“You’re right. I’ve wanted the DADA position since I went to school here but Potions is my passion.” He turned to Ginny with a strange glint in his ebony eyes. “Were you really so lonely that you turned to a book?”

“No,” said Ginny quickly.

Remus stretched as he spoke. “Skeletons in the Closet.”

Ginny looked down, her face hidden in shadow. “People don’t understand what it’s like being the youngest of such a large family. It’s so easy to get overlooked. Mum loves us all but it’s hard to split your time between seven kids.”

To everyone’s surprise, Professor Snape reached into his robe pocket and removed a photo. “I do understand very well. I am the youngest of ten children. There is only one person missing from that photo.”

“Was your childhood anything like the students think?” asked Ginny softly.

“No, my mother never wanted children but she made my childhood very loving. Your mother reminds me a lot of my mother. She was always running about and dealing with children. We still have dinners together monthly.”

The door opening to admit Fred and George startled everyone. “What’s going on in here, Harry? You’re not getting into trouble without us again are you?”

“We’re playing Skeletons in the Closet,” said Arianna happily, “Do you want to play?”

“We’re in, what are the stakes?”

“Your normal rules,” replied Ginny.

“Great,” said George.

“What round are you on?” asked Fred.

“We just started round three,” said Snape warily.

“Mind if we catch up? By the way, the two of us will only ask one question and we’ll both answer any questions sent our ways.”

“Go ahead, catch up so we may finish,” Snarked Snape.

“Draco,” began George.

“Have you earned the title of Slytherin Sex God?” finished Fred.

Draco paled drastically. “No, that was a stupid third year’s ploy at gaining sway over his housemates.”

“Okay,” grinned Fred.

“Snape,” George said thought both their faces were very serious, “Did you change sides in the war because Voldemort killed your wife?”

Snape looked angry at first before the look simply became pained. “No, I’ve never been married. He killed my twin.”

“I think that’s enough of this game for tonight,” said Harry seriously. “Draco was right; we have to be up early to leave for Rose Haven tomorrow. We can finish this tomorrow night or something.”

Everyone was slightly startled as they began to wander the room creating small groups. Snape watched as Harry approached the twins. It was obvious that he was comforting them but he wasn’t sure what was going on.

“What do you think is happening over there?” asked Draco.

“Fred and George have been having nightmares all summer,” supplied Ginny. “They dream about Voldemort killing just one of them and keeping the other alive. They’re really scared.”

“I understand,” murmured Snape thoughtfully.

“Professor, I’m glad you’re still here,” said Hermione hurrying up to him. “Do you want to go over my notes on the last two years of the DA?”

“Why don’t we ask Remus to join us as well,” replied Snape.