It had been weeks since Theodore Nott had showed up in front of the Diggorys house. It was decided that he would be staying with them, and Dumbledore had been informed that day itself, that there would be another name added to the list of wizards who could enter the area.

Sirius had almost protested, but maybe the familiarity of the incident had made him hold his tongue.

Surprisingly, he had also been the person to buy Theo a bunch of new clothes.. and tell Kreacher to go to the Hogwarts kitchen, look for Vinsy, and ask her to bring Theodore whatever he would need for his school year for one last time.

She had done so with tears of joy in her eyes.

Amos had returned to his job at the Ministry. And Ria could see a bit more light return to his eyes day by day as he almost returned to his old ways.

He was at the Ministry most of the day, doing his job, gathering any information that would be useful for the Order, while Ria and Theo stayed at home.

Esther and Sirius still visited once in a while, but not as frequently as before, since Ria seemed to be better in her senses now. And they couldn't help but give the boy a little credit.

"It's because she believes he's her responsibility." Esther had told Amos. "She's taken responsibility, and she's the type of girl that will see to it till she is satisfied with her job."

That was true. But there was still this little worry on her mind.

It had almost been another month. And she still hadn't told him about her Obscurus.

There were numerous different ways she could see this entire thing wrong.

But not worse than the Death-eaters. She always reminded herself. I'll tell him and Blaise.. I'll tell them together.

She would only give in to her fear the day she'd see some vision.. and she hoped that day never arrived.

Although it became one of the least of her worries when, on a random Saturday morning, she saw Remus Lupin out of all people in the house.

He looked more ragged than ever.. with his appearance as well as clothes. His face was gaunt and grim. His brown hair was patched with even more gray..

"Remus!" She breathed out with surprise.

"Hello, Ria." He only sent his usual, warm smile her way. Though it was different.

It had been different ever since Isabella's death.

It felt like there was a wall between them now; the comfort and ease somewhat gone. If there was anything, it was the awareness that the person that connected them wasn't here anymore.

"Where have you been?" The words left her before she could help herself. She had been worried. "I haven't seen you since the day of Mum's funeral."

She knew she was being a hypocrite asking that question. That she hadn't read his letters. That she would have ignored him just like the rest of them if he had come to meet her.

But she needed to hear a sensible reply.

"I was busy." That was all he said.

She nodded, lifting her eyebrows ever so slightly. "Right. Okay."

The tension from the conversation lifted when Theodore came downstairs. He lifted one finger at the man, staring at him in confusion. "Professor Lupin?"

"Ah, Mr. Nott." He smiled his way too. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

He looked at Ria for an answer. "Mum, Harry's father, Sirius and Remus were close friends during school days." He nodded at her answer.

"Anyway.. how'd you come by today, Remus?" She asked, but then her eyebrows furrowed in question when she saw her uncle.. in formal clothes. "Don't you have Saturdays off?"

His shoulders slumped a little. "Ria, dear, you do know September is right around the corner, don't you?"

"Oh.." she voiced. "Right, uhm.. so, are we going to Diagon Alley?"

The two men nodded in sync. "Okay.. so, right, we'll get ready." She glanced at Theo before looking back at them. "How are we going, by the way?"

"We'll be going in Ministry cars." He informed, then exchanged a look with Remus. "Fair warning, we'll be meeting with the Weasleys while we're there so.. prepare yourself."

The air seemed to slowly disappear from Ria's lungs.

You mean the house of the people who I've been ignoring for two months? Her mind made her painfully realise that.

Oh, no no no no. She hadn't thought about that yet.

Seeing the horror on her face, her uncle gently patted her head. "There's not much we can do about it, dear." He said. "You were going to have to face them, one way or another."

Right. Right. I would have to meet them at Hogwarts anyway. Maybe this will prepare me a little.

Still, she felt her heart race.

Maybe she could cancel it. True, she would be meeting them at Hogwarts anyway, but there was still time for that.

But something inside her told her she'd been running away for too long. It told her that it wasn't like her.

And it told her that every day.. each day when she thought about cutting off her ties with people. She listened to the muffles quietly from behind hand-covered ears.

"Okay.. okay. Then." she nodded. She couldn't ignore them forever.

Maybe it was time for a change.

She could do that. There were many people in her life, who didn't constantly affect her. Like.. Crabbe and Goyle, for example. They were a part of her life, she saw them everyday at Hogwarts, but that didn't mean they were an important part of her life.

Maybe she could do that with the ones she was trying to ignore. Just there in the background.. and nothing else.

What bullshit logic am I applying here?

"Oh? Alright.." Her uncle voiced, taken aback by her unexpected answer. "Well.. get ready, then. We'll leave in twenty minutes. Take your list of requirements too.. as well as results. You're gonna have to see which classes you'll be eligible to take."

"Got it." She spun right around and climbed up the stairs to her room.

"Uhm.. do you mind if we stopped at Gringotts first?" asked Theodore.

"Of course not."

"Thank you." And then he followed her right behind.

He had been just quick enough to catch her taking a sip of her potion, and then sliding it back in the drawer with disappointment.

"What's with that face?" He asked, welcoming himself in the room.

"This isn't working anymore." She admitted, staring at the closed drawer. "I need a stronger one."

"No." He said immediately. "Absolutely not."

She smiled sarcastically. "I wasn't asking."

"And who's gonna agree to give you a stronger dose, exactly, Edwards?"

Ria faked frustration just for the sake of it. As if I can't brew it on my own.

"Alright, forget that. Before you get ready, spill it out." He told her. "What's on your mind?"

"You know what." Ria mumbled, eyebrows knitted together with worry. "What am I gonna do?"

"About what?"

She threw him a little glare. "I've burned their letters, Theodore. Fucking burned them. What if they're mad at me?" She asked, biting at her nails.

But he only shrugged. "Wasn't that your goal the entire time?"

Her expression eased as she thought over it. "Wait.. right, right. You're right." she mumbled to herself, pacing around her room.

But then she frowned again. "He'll be there too, won't he?" She said to no one in particular.

Theo leaned against the door now. "Yes."

Over the days he'd lived here, he had sort of become a second voice of Ria; one that she talked to, discussed things with bluntly like she would if there was a carbon copy of her.

And if anything, he was glad for that.

While spending some little time he had with Sirius Black, he had come to know the absolute hell Ria had gone through.

So yes, he was glad Ria wasn't as closed off as she was before.

Also, it felt good to feel not like Theodore 'who-had-almost-been-a-death-eater' Nott, but like somebody else.

But she didn't need to know that. She'd throw a tantrum if he told her.

Really, she was such a hypocrite.

Ria rolled her eyes at his response, sitting down on her bed. "Good to know the bluntness in you hasn't dialled down."

"What were you hoping for, then?" He retorted. "Something like, 'oh, maybe, you know, he'll get hit by the knight bus and wouldn't show up!'"

"Theo.."

He suppressed a sigh. "Ria, I say this because I care for you, but Potter showing up at Diagon Alley should be the least of your concerns."

She blinked in confusion. "Please, I'm too tired to figure it out on my own."

"Okay. No worries. I'll tell you." He sat down beside her. "You do know, Diagon Alley was attacked by Death-eaters?" She nodded. "Even though there won't be as much of a crowd as before, there are still going to be many people there."

"Your face.. was in the Daily Prophet, openly declaring you as an Azrael." His answer almost sent Ria's mind into a frenzy.

Her eyes were straying at the drawer again, but they were annoyed at the fact that she knew it wouldn't work like it did before.

Sometimes, Theodore didn't seem to understand it. She took the potion even though nothing outside was being affected by her magic. Even when everything was peaceful and calm.

Maybe she senses it. It was the only explanation he had. Maybe she senses her power some moments before it manifests into reality.

"It doesn't matter what happens at Hogwarts." He continued. "Students might be scared of you, but they won't take any action against you. You'll be under protection, most likely. But outside of Hogwarts.."

"We don't know what their reactions might be.." she realised. "We also don't know how many enemies we'll be surrounded with."

"Polyjuice Potion?"

"I'm going to get new robes done, Theo. Polyjuice will change my entire body, not just my face."

She then looked at him. He seemed to have something on his mind. "Well.. I'm not saying it's the best idea, but.."

The guard outside Gringotts eyed Asteria suspiciously, and she took cautious glances at him, making sure to cough hard once in a while.

"I have the worst cold ever," is what they had thought of as an excuse for the sort of surgical mask covering half her face.

She felt awkward, but also a bit safe.

It also reminded her of the lockdown. After all, that had been the root of Theo's mind-blowing idea.

She should have kept in mind it was Theodore Nott she was taking advice from..

Beside her stood Remus. He was at guard too, checking his surroundings and his pocket watch in turns.

Diagon Alley had changed.. a lot.

The colour Ria had seen the first time she had entered the alley with her mother was lost somewhere.. the magic gone almost completely, leaving behind a dull place.

It was filled will some somber purple posters that carried blown-up versions of the security advice from the Ministry. They had also been sent out over the summer, apparently.

Some of the posters bore moving, black and white photographs of Death-eaters known to be on the loose. Bellatrix Lestrange was a prominent one amongst them.

There were also signs of fake amulets over some places, that were apparently effective against werewolves, dementors and inferi.

She had almost scoffed to herself. Let me know if you have something to get fucking rid of magical parasites.

"God, this is depressing to see." She muttered under her breath.

"Almost hurts a little, doesn't it?" said Remus, and she couldn't help but nod.

"Yeah.. especially looking at Ollivander's and Florean's." She answered.

"It always does.." he said nonchalantly, and she raised a questioning eyebrow. "It always hurts to look at things you love.. and watch them lose their light."

It made her think of her mother, but she chose not to mention it. Instead she sighed, continuing to look around. "Merlin, Remus, since when did you become poetic?"

"I always had a bit in me, I suppose."

Her previous notion about an invisible barrier almost felt wrong now. It was just easy to slip into conversations with him.

"Remus.. how's Tonks?" She asked, and Remus raised an eyebrow. "How's she doing?"

"Why do you think I would know, Ria?" He retorted.

I don't know. I've felt guilty ever since I almost cracked her head open.

"I'm just asking." She said, looking back at the entrance of Gringotts. There was still no sign of them. "You're friends, right?"

"I don't know about that. It's been months since I've talked to her."

His answer made almost every other thought leave her mind. She gave him a questioning look.

She knew how he'd felt when he had seen Tonks in the hospital bed. She was there to witness it. He cared for her, she was sure of it.

"Remus, what—"

"Ah, there they are."

At his statement, she looked back at the entrance of Gringotts again. Her forehead scrunched with question. "No, they're not."

"Not them, Ria." He patted her shoulder, and then gestured towards the group that was drawing closer and closer.

And she felt painfully embarrassed by the way her gaze seeked for the boy with dark messy hair and round-rimmed glasses.

It was a momentary pause where she knew he had noticed her too, before both of them diverted their gazes.

She looked at the entrance again. For Lord's sake, what was taking them so long?

"Ria?"

Her eyes averted to Hermione and Ginny, but they were already rushing to her and almost tackled her in the process. Good thing Ria was warned before they could all fall.

"We missed you!" said Ginny.

"Hey— hey.." she awkwardly patted their backs, planning to let go but Ron had joined in too.

"So good to finally see you!" He mused, grinning wide.

Ria nodded with a small smile. "Me too."

She was. She really was.

"How have you been?" She asked.

"Okay, I guess?"

Another hand tapped at her shoulder, and she saw Molly's bright face right before being swept away into another warm hug.

"We are so glad you're okay, dear."

Ria's smile widened only a little, and she took a moment to snuggle into her shoulder. "Thank you."

She then greeted Hagrid and Arthur, somehow restraining her urge to look at Harry because she knew he had his eyes on her. She could feel his unmoving gaze.

Little did she know Harry Potter had decided to show all his pettiness this year.

"Hey." He said.

And it took her a moment to realise that he had been talking to her. She finally looked up at him again, and Merlin, she had to crane her neck a little.

How did he grow so tall? She was sure the difference was less, last year.

She was also secretly glad for the mask covering her face.

"Hey." Her voice felt timid and wavy even though it wasn't.

"How was your summer?" He asked.

For fuck's sake, stop talking to me.

"Fine. How was yours?" She asked anyway.

"Good. Great, actually." His lips curled in a small, kind of mocking smile. And God, he looked handso—

Shut up. Don't you start with that right now.

"Hmm.. good, good." She nodded, putting a stopper to the conversation right away.

"All good?" Her uncle's voice moved closer and closer, and she almost sighed in relief. Finally!

"Brilliant." She answered, ignoring the questioning gaze Theodore was receiving from the group of teenagers. "Is the work done? Good, let's leave."

"Yes, yes, let us be a little quick with the shopping today." said Molly, looking around with a nervous demeanour. "We should get the robes done first.."

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

"I don't know," said Mrs. Weasley anxiously, clearly torn between a desire to finish the shopping quickly and the wish to stick together in a pack.

"I'll accompany them too, Molly. No worries." Amos gave her a small smile.

"Yeh, don' fret, Molly. They'll be fine with us." said Hagrid, waving his big hand in the air.

"Right.. good luck with the shopping." Remus trailed off, looking at his pocket watch. "It's time for me to leave too.. Duty reasons."

The crowd bid Remus goodbye and told him to take care before splitting in two. Ginny accompanied her parents to Flourish and Blotts, while the Gryffindor trio, Ria and Theo followed Hagrid and Amos to Madam Malkins.

Hermione almost had stars in her eyes as she exchanged a mostly one-sided conversation with Ria.

She rambled on and on merrily about everything she had wanted to, throughout the summer, and Ria only listened and nodded along with a little smile.

She talked about her latest progress in S.P.E.W., almost talked about Sophie leaving but got rid of the topic quickly because neither could handle it calmly. She also proceeded to tell her about her N.E.W.T. classes and asked hers in return.

"Well.. I still failed at Transfiguration, so not that.." she watched her as she examined the result sheet. "And passed Herbology somehow, but can't take that either."

Ria suppressed a smile. She knew Hermione always wanted to see everyone's scores.

ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL RESULTS

Pass Grades:
Outstanding (O)
Exceeds Expectations (E)
Acceptable (A)

Fail Grades:
Poor (P)
Dreadful (D)
Troll (T)

Asteria Marlene Edwards has achieved:

Astronomy — O
Arithmancy — A
Care of Magical Creatures — A
Charms — E
Defence Against the Dark Arts — E
Divination — O
Herbology — A
History of Magic — D
Potions — O
Transfiguration — D

"'Outstanding' in Astronomy, Divination and Potions.. as expected. I suppose no one can really beat you at them." Hermione said with a small chuckle.

"And History of Magic is out of the way too." said Ria. "I'm eligible for everything else, I guess."

"So.. six classes?"

She pursed her lips. "I think I might drop one."

Hermione only tilted her head in question as she handed the result back. "But all those subject are easy for you, aren't they?"

She nodded. "Yeah.. but there are other things that need my attention too.."

And the bushy-haired girl nodded in slow realisation. "Right.."

The very next moment, however, Ria felt a hand grab her wrist and halt her from going any further. She turned around quickly, only to find Harry. She snatched her hand away anyway, continuing to walk a little behind the group as now Ron had taken her place beside Hermione.

"What's Nott doing here?" Harry asked in a whisper.

She could smell him and his stupid pine scent even through her mask. Useless..

"What's that got to do with you?" She retorted, rubbing at her skin that still felt weird and warm by his touch.

No way in hell was she going to tell anyone about what had happened..

He lifted his shoulder in a shrug. "I mean, true, you hang out with your friends every time. But I don't see Zabini, so.."

She stared up at him, and Harry realised that the blue in her irises hadn't dulled even slightly. They were still lively even though they resided in sunken sockets and carried overwhelming thoughts.

He shouldn't find his cheeks warming up, not after what she had done to him.

Harry averted his eyes to the ground. "I— I mean.. I'm only asking, you know?"

Damn, whatever happened to the arrogance and the confidence..

He only looked up again when a shadow moved closer, and almost reacted to move Ria out of the path of whatever danger that was coming their way. But it was only Nott.

"Almost got branded as a Death-eater, Potter." He said to him with a humourless smile. "Ran away from home almost a month ago, now I stay with Ria and her uncle. Any more questions?"

Harry only stared at him incredulously. "No!"

Theo only tilted his head in confusion. "What? Potter, I assure you, I'm not lying to get close to Ria and steal her from you or anyth— Oof!"

A sharp jab at his stomach made him shut up. And if that hadn't, his best friend glaring daggers at him would definitely have.

"No, I mean.. no more questions. I don't have.. any more." Harry clarified, still a bit surprised and flustered by whatever he had said in the past minute.

"Well.. now that that's done, stay with the group." He told them both before looking at Ria. "Especially you. Come on."

And Harry only watched with a bit of scorn as Theodore gently pulled her to the front again.

"You know, most people can see right through your act of pettiness, don't you?" Ron's voice brought him back.

He scoffed. "Whatever do you mean.."

"Whatever do you mean.."

"Hey!" He hissed. "I really.. really am mad at her, okay?"

And Ron only pursed his lips with a shrug. "When did I say you weren't?"

And Harry only continued to ignore his best friend.. just like he did his pacing heartbeat and messy thoughts.

"I didn't know you were going to abandon your resolution that quick, Ria."

"Do you want another one in your ribs, this time?" She asked. "And he wanted to talk, not me. And it wasn't even about me or us, so I don't know what you're yapping about."

Theodore blinked with tiredness. Why doesn't she get rid of her silly resolution?

To be fair, it had been a major shock to him when he had heard about their break up. He had been so sure that they were soulmates..

He still was, but angsty breaks in a relationship weren't his thing, honestly.

Yes, she had initiated the break up, because yes, she was scared for everyone's life because of the Azrael's curse.

Reasonable but..

You do realise there's a chance Potter could die even if you two didn't know each other at all, don't you? He's in danger because of the Dark Lord, not because of you.

That was what he wanted to scream at her, but there was a possibility it could make her cry. So he didn't.

"And you're stupid, you know?" Ria accused suddenly.

He scrunched his eyebrows in annoyance. "Me? What did I do?"

"Give me this stupid idea to fake sickness and wear this stupid mask!" She muttered, pinching it up against the bridge of her nose.

"Can you at least explain why?" He almost whined.

"Okay.. one: everyone's staring at me weird. Two: the whole plan was about hiding my identity but the Weasleys and company still recognised me. Three: it's too hot because of this mask. And four: I can't even fucking breath properly, my heart's racing."

Theodore made a face that if Shakespeare was around to see, he'd write numerous poems on and declare it the epitome of 'a man and the utter defeat he feels from the depths of his heart'.

It was like Ria ran straight into the point and just kept running, absolutely refusing to look back at what she had collided into and why.

Theo took his eyes off his front and looked beside him, at Ria. And even though the mask covered her cheeks, he could see the tips of her ears turned red.

With a sigh, he faced front again. Maybe he didn't need to worry about Ria and Potter's sweet bond anymore.

God, he missed Blaise all of a sudden. Sophie too, more than him. If they were here, maybe they'd bet on when the couple would get back together again.

None of them really stopped to talk with others, seeing as everyone seemed as anxious as Mrs. Weasley, these days.

When they stopped right outside Madam Malkin's, Hagrid bent down to peer inside through the window." "Migh' be a bit of a squeeze in there with all of us. I'll stand guard outside, all right?"

"Me too." Amos agreed. "Be quick, all of you. Quick as you can."

So Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ria and Theo entered the little shop together. It appeared, at first glance, to be empty, but no sooner had the door swung shut behind them than they heard a familiar voice issuing from behind a rack of dress robes in spangled green and blue.

"..not a child, in case you haven't noticed, Mother. I am perfectly capable of doing my shopping alone."

It took Theo only a second to half-conceal him behind a column in the shop.

Madam Malkin clicked her tongue, saying: "Now, dear, your mother's quite right, none of us is supposed to go wandering around on our own anymore, it's nothing to do with being a child—"

"Watch where you're sticking that pin, will you!"

He then strode to the mirror and examined himself; it was a few moments before he noticed the group reflected over his shoulder.

His eyes narrowed. "If you're wondering what the smell is, Mother, a Mudblood just walked in," said Draco.

"I don't think there's any need for language like that!" said Madam Malkin, scurrying out from behind the clothes rack holding a tape measure and a wand.

"And I don't want wands drawn in my shop either!" she added hastily, for a glance toward the door had shown her Harry and Ron both standing there with their wands out and pointing at Malfoy.

Hermione, who was standing slightly behind them, whispered, "No, don't, honestly, it's not worth it.."

"Yeah, like you'd dare do magic out of school," sneered Malfoy.

"That's quite enough!" said Madam Malkin sharply, looking over her shoulder for support. "Madam— please—"

Narcissa Malfoy strolled out from behind the clothes rack.

"Put those away," she said coldly to Harry and Ron. "If you attack my son again, I shall ensure that it is the last thing you ever do."

"Really?" said Harry, taking a step forward and gazing into the smoothly arrogant face that greatly resembled her sister's. "Going to get a few Death Eater pals to do us in, are you?"

"Harry!" Ria hissed, clutching at his arm out of habit, but was quick to let it go when he looked back. "Not here. Not now."

He contemplated for a while, clenching his jaw as he sent glares towards the pair, but then bit back whatever insult that was going to come out of his mouth.

"Really, you shouldn't accuse— dangerous thing to say— wands away, please!" Madam Malkin had clutched at her heart. "Let us just continue, please." She bent toward Malfoy, who was still glaring at Harry.

"I think this left sleeve could come up a little bit more, dear, let me just—"

"Ouch!" bellowed Malfoy, slapping her hand away. "Watch where you're putting your pins, woman! Mother— I don't think I want these anymore—" He pulled the robes over his head and threw them onto the floor at Madam Malkin's feet.

"You're right, Draco," said Narcissa, with a contemptuous glance at Hermione, "now I know the kind of scum that shops here.. We'll do better at Twilfitt and Tatting's."

And with that, the pair of them strode out of the shop, Malfoy taking care to bang as hard as he could into Ron on the way out.

"Well, really!" said Madam Malkin, snatching up the fallen robes and moving the tip of her wand over them like a vacuum cleaner, so that it removed all the dust.

Ria looked back at Theo. "You good?" And he only nodded, rubbing at his forehead with disdain.

Madam Malkin was distracted all through the fitting of Ron's, Harry's, Ria's and Theo's new robes, tried to sell Hermione wizard's dress robes instead of witch's, and when she finally bowed them out of the shop it was with an air of being glad to see the back of them.

"Got ev'rything?" asked Hagrid brightly when they reappeared at his side.

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

"Yeah," said Hagrid, unconcerned. "Bu' they wouldn' dare make trouble in the middle o' Diagon Alley, Harry. Don' worry abou' them."

"I don't care if they wouldn't.. they better not." Amos grunted with contempt.

Soon, they saw Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny appear, all clutching heavy packages of books. "Everyone all right?" said Mrs. Weasley. "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.."

After buying Potion ingredients from the Apothecary (where Ria bought some extra for brewing the Draught of Peace), and large boxes of owl nuts from Eeylops Owl Emporium, they headed father along the street in search of the infamous 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes', the joke shop run by Fred and George.

"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.."

And Ria couldn't believe the sight in front of her.

Set against the dull, poster-muffled shop fronts around them, Fred and George's windows hit the eye like a firework display. Casual passersby were looking back over their shoulders at the windows, and a few rather stunned-looking people had actually come to a halt, transfixed.

The left-hand window was dazzlingly full of an assortment of goods that revolved, popped, flashed, bounced, and shrieked. The right-hand window was covered with a gigantic poster, purple like those of the Ministry, but emblazoned with flashing yellow letters:

WHY ARE YOU WORRYING ABOUT YOU-KNOW-WHO?
YOU SHOULD BE WORRYING ABOUT U-NO-POO—
THE CONSTIPATION SENSATION THAT'S GRIPPING THE NATION!

Some chuckles left the group. But she could a weak sort of moan beside him and looked around to see Mrs. Weasley gazing, dumbfounded, at the poster. Her lips moved silently, mouthing the name 'U-No-Poo.'

Amos patted her shoulder with a shake of his head, but he had a smile too. "Marvellous, Molly. You should be proud."

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

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

They were finally led into the shop, and it was so packed with customers that they just could not get near the shelves.

Ria could see a bunch of stuff that had been under development.. Skiving Snackboxes, Nosebleed Nougat.

There were bins full of trick wands, the cheapest merely turning into rubber chickens or pairs of briefs when waved, the most expensive beating the unwary user around the head and neck, and boxes of quills, which came in Self-Inking, Spell-Checking, and Smart-Answer varieties.

"You know," said Hermione. "This really is extraordinary magic!"

"For that, Hermione," said a voice behind them, "you can have one for free."

A beaming Fred stood before them, wearing a set of magenta robes that clashed magnificently with his flaming hair.

"How are you, Harry? Ria?" They shook hands one after another. "Come on, I'll give you a tour."

However, before Ria could wander anymore, a long call of her name from somewhere in the crowd made her stop.

And Fred only proceeded to show Harry the rest of the shop, knowing well Ria wasn't going to be free for some more minutes.

The crowd was parting for someone, and when the person emerged, she took her in her arms and spun her around, literally lifting her off the ground.

"Ame— Amelia— wait! Someone will get hurt!"

She finally placed her down after a hearing from Molly, but still held Ria's shoulders firmly. "Where the hell have you been? And why haven't you answered my letters, at all?!"

Ria opened her mouth to answer but Amelia had already beat her to it. "I wrote to you, on the 14th, right after Ms. Diggory's demise, on the 19th, 26th, then the 4th, 8th, 9th and then I just.. sort of.. gave up hope, you know?"

The look of loss in her eyes was like a kick to Ria's guts. Almost two years ago, she had promised a girl crying in the bathroom that she could rely on her whenever she wanted..

And she'd ended up abandoning her after all.

But thankfully, she had been safe with the Weasleys. Thankfully, they looked after like she was their own daughter.

Even now, Fred and George had asked her to be equal partners in their joke shop. Though she had humbly declined, and let them know that she'd be happy to work as an assistant or helper of some sort.

"You know what? Let's forget about that! We'll get to catch up at Hogwarts anyway!" She said merrily.

"Wait— you're coming back?" asked Hermione, who had just been around the area.

"Of course!" Amelia answered. "I haven't completed my N.E.W.T.s yet. I'm a year younger than Fred and George, you didn't forget, did you?"

"Oh.. no, no, of course not." She chuckled. "But I just assumed that you'd be taking care of the shop with Fred and George."

Amelia quickly shook her head. "I love this, really. But I want to be an Auror."

"Auror?"

She nodded. "My Gramps was one. I really look up to him." Her grey eyes had a glint in them now. "He also tried to take me in after Dad's death, but Mum didn't let that happen."

"Oh.."

"Yeah." She shrugged, then turned back to Ria. "So.. what do you think?"

Ria had a smile that didn't show through her mask, but it didn't stop the crinkles that appeared in the corners of her eyes. "Does that mean my best Chaser is coming back to me?"

"Of course." Amelia grinned.

And with a synced chuckle, they bumped their fists together.

Amelia then proceeded to squeeze Theo in a hug too, while Ria exhaled a breath of relief.

When she had received the letter reminding her of her duties as a Quidditch Captain, every other thought had almost removed itself from her mind. She had been intimidated.

Adrian Pucey, the best overall player of the Slytherin team, and one of the best Chasers, and one of the people she could rely on, had graduated. 

Amelia had left the school too.. another one of the emeralds gone.

But now, her coming back had brought some kind of relief. "Right, then. Let's win this one."

"Aye aye, Captain."

"Oh.. that reminds me!" Ginny rushed to them, leaving behind whatever she had been checking out. "Guess who's the Gryffindor Captain this year?"

With no doubt, Asteria's eyes moved to Harry, who she'd heard come back there with Fred. He only offered her a pursed smile. For some reason, she could barely contain her smirk.

"We're winning this one too, Edwards." He said playfully.

"Please, Potter.. you wish."

And Amelia whispered with excitement. "It's a battle between the lovers!"

"Exes."

The gaze of sportsmanship they'd been playfully holding with each other died with awkwardness almost instantly.

"What?" Amelia's tone was flat when she looked at Ron. But he was completely serious. "Shut up, you're joking."

He only patted her back pitifully. "Unfortunately, I'm not."

"Where's our dear sister lurking anyway.. ah!" Fred tried to dissolve the awkwardness almost instantly. "Best range of love potions you'll find anywhere."

Ginny raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Do they work?" she asked.

"Certainly they work, for up to twenty-four hours at a time depending on the weight of the person in question—"

"— and the attractiveness of the giver," said George, appearing suddenly at their side. "But we're not selling them to our sister," he added, becoming suddenly stern, "not when she's already got about five boys on the go from what we've—"

"Whatever you've heard from Ron is a big fat lie," said Ginny calmly, leaning forward to take a small pink pot off the shelf. "What's this?"

"Guaranteed ten-second pimple vanisher," said Fred. "Excellent on everything from boils to blackheads, but don't change the subject. Are you or are you not currently going out with a boy called Dean Thomas?"

Ria was glad that her expressions were hidden, since she'd had a very obvious reaction to this new information.

Where did those two come from, all of a sudden? Or maybe she just didn't know them very well.

She did like Dean better than Seamus, though.

"Yes, I am," said Ginny. "And last time I looked, he was definitely one boy, not five. What are those?" She was pointing at a number of round balls of fluff in shades of pink and purple, all rolling around the bottom of a cage and emitting high-pitched squeaks.

"Pygmy Puffs," said George. "Miniature puffskeins, we can't breed them fast enough. So what about Michael Corner?"

"I dumped him, he was a bad loser," said Ginny, putting a finger through the bars of the cage and watching the Pygmy Puffs crowd around it. "They're really cute!" They reminded her of a certain blonde, for some reason, having a uniquely adorable look.

"They're fairly cuddly, yes," conceded Fred. "But you're moving through boyfriends a bit fast, aren't you?"

All four girls turned to glare at him almost instantly, but Ginny had a look on her face that resembled Mrs. Weasley's deathly stare way too closely.

"It's none of your business. And I'll thank you," she added angrily to Ron, who had just appeared at George's elbow, laden with merchandise, "not to tell tales about me to these two!"

"That's three Galleons, nine Sickles, and a Knut," said Fred, examining the many boxes in Ron's arms. "Cough up."

"I'm your brother!"

"And that's our stuff you're nicking. Three Galleons, nine Sickles. I'll knock off the Knut."

"But I haven't got three Galleons, nine Sickles!"

"You'd better put it back then, and mind you put it on the right shelves."

Ron dropped several boxes, swore, and threw up a middle finger at Fred that was unfortunately spotted by Mrs. Weasley, who had chosen that moment to appear.

"If I see you do that again I'll jinx your fingers together," she said sharply.

"Now I see why you enjoy the Weasleys' company so much.." said Theo as he walked towards Ria and they strolled around for a little while, looking through products.

"This is nothing compared to the chaos that happens in the Burrow, trust me." She said with a chuckle.

"Ria.." he sighed then. "Don't you think you're being a bit harsh?"

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "It's for their own good."

"Is it?"

"Yes."

They'll be in danger anyway.. just like everyone. His mind reasoned again. It's the age of war, after all. It's got nothing to do with some bad luck you're supposed to bring.

With all due respect, he loved Ria. He really did. Even with all her crude remarks and dumb decisions, he did. But sometimes it got a bit frustrating.

He also knew he was shifting his attention elsewhere to run from his own problems, but he could care less.

What could he do about that mark now anyway? Cry and sulk, or pick at his skin till it disappeared?

That wasn't gonna happen.

So the best thing he could do, at the moment, was help his best friend get through shit.

They had been mindlessly wandering about for another while, throwing small jabs at each other, getting amused by some joke products, when a hand reached out and tapped Ria on her shoulder.

"Dear, have you seen Ron, Harry and Hermione?" Mrs. Weasley asked, face laced with worry. "I've searched the whole shop, but I couldn't see them."

A small warning went off in her head as she stood on her tiptoes and looked around.

They wouldn't go off impulsively somewhere on their own.. would they?

Of course, they would..

"I think George took them to the back of the shop, to show them other stuff as well.." she trailed off. "They were talking about that earlier."

Mrs. Weasley looked physically at ease now. "Oh, okay. Thank you, dear." She walked back to where she had come from. "These children, I swear.." One could hear her mutter under her breath as she passed through.

Ria almost immediately held Theo's wrist and dragged him away. "Keep an eye out for Harry, Ron and Hermione. Let me know if you see them anywhere."

They separately wandered through different shelf-filled columns, looking for the three teens in the crowd of many.

Where were those idiots?

And couldn't they at least let someone know where they were going?

"Hey, Ginny!" She dragged her to the side. Would she know something is suspicious if all three of them are missing, together?

"Have you seen Harry?"

She looked around her. "Not in a while, no. Must be around somewhere though, with Hermione and Ron." Her eyebrows then scrunched ever so slightly. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah! I— I just wanted to talk to him, but can't find him around." said Ria with a false tone of assurance, ignoring the look of hope that was dawning upon the redhead's face. "If he comes by here.. or Ron or Hermione do.. would you just let them know that I was looking for Harry?"

Ginny smiled. "Okay, sure."

She told that to almost every other Weasley child she could find, including Amelia, but it wasn't long before the boy himself had called her name.

She sighed with relief as she turned around. "Hey.. Ginny told me you wanted to talk—"

"Yes." She smiled sarcastically as she grabbed his hand and made him follow to the back of the shop.

And when they finally stopped, she took a step closer and stared at him with knotted brows. Just then Harry felt as if the air had disappeared from his lungs. He could hear his own heartbeat thumping in his ears.

Okay, he had prepared himself for pettiness, not for this.

"What were you thinking? And where were you?" She whispered harshly.

Without really giving it any thought, he pulled her mask down. And she only gave him an irritated look in return, with her wide, glaring blue eyes, lashes curled upright as if gravitating towards him, likely soft hair that framed her face, that she tried to hide most of herself with now that the mask was down, cheeks red with what he hoped was fluster, and an angry pout on her cherry lips.

He hoped the dull light and the chatter outside were masking the bloodrush to his face and pace of his heartbeat.

"Couldn't hear you." said Harry, keeping all the other things to himself.

Ria then sighed. "Okay, fair. But Mrs. Weasley.. she was looking all over for you three. I had to lie to her, saying you were here with George." She shook her head. "Where were you?"

He looked around before facing her again. He'd grown this summer too, obviously. He noticed he had to look further down to properly see her face. They could be just standing and he could probably, least hesitantly, tuck her head under his chin—

Okay, enough daydreaming.

"We were following the Malfoys." He answered quietly. "To Borgin and Burkes, in the Knockturn Alley."

Ria then pinched the bridge of her nose. "Why? To see if they were up to something."

"Exactly—" A woman tried to pass by, and the two stuck to their ends, letting her go through the middle. "They were there for something, and I don't think it was just some furniture."

"Fine.. then. What did you find out?" She asked.

"Nothing much.. but he's still suspicious.. buying suspicious things." He answered with a mix of confusion as well as certainty.

Ria nodded. "Alright. Let me know when you find out."

She was about to leave, when Harry stood in front of her. "Wait— wait.. Nott, he.."

"No, he probably wouldn't know anything." she confirmed.

"No. No that." He tried to explain. "What if.. Malfoy has the same thing going on?"

Ria blinked in disbelief. She checked their surroundings before leaning in to whisper. "Theo was forced, Harry." She said. "He ran away. And by what I know about Narcissa Malfoy, she isn't someone who'd force her son into.. into taking the mark."

"Who said he was forced?" He retorted. "Maybe it was by will."

"We don't know that!" She whispered, and a moment later, suddenly realised that they had been standing too close.

Before any of them could move though, a man tried to walk by the narrow space, and Harry didn't have enough time to back away, so he just leaned forward, trapping Ria against the wall.

The man's pace felt painfully slow to her. She was too aware of her surroundings.. of the way he towered over her, of the way one of his arms was brushing against hers, of the way she couldn't contain the urge to look at him, of the way he kept stealing glances at her.

The small clear of his throat when he finally backed away, the bob of his Adam's apple as he gulped, the way his hand ran through his hair—

The Earth could burst open to swallow her whole, and she would only feel gratitude because the man had finally passed through.

"Hey.. uhm.. don't tell anyone about erm.. Theo. Okay?" She asked softly, slightly breathless.

And he only nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sure."

But then her eyes fixated at the chain around his neck, like a silver lining around a cloud. A vivid image of the metal pick flashed through her mind. It made her miss the feeling of the stars-engraved ring around her finger even though it rested against her chest.

Harry seemed to have followed her gaze. His hand followed it too, feeling the cold chain against his fingers. "It's a dock tag. Sirius gave it to me."

The rush of air that she had felt around herself seemed to slowly die. "Oh.. okay— nice."

What was it that she felt? Disappointment? 

Do I even deserve to feel that?

"Hey, Harry! Ria!" Ron called after them, appearing a little far away from them. "We're leaving!"

Ria didn't waste another moment staying. She only gave him a small smile before pushing her mask up again and walking off.

Harry leaned against the wall, releasing the breath he'd been holding since the moment he had seen her face fall.

A hand pinched at the back of his neck, and he almost flinched away. But it was only Ron; he had grabbed the chain and pulled it out of his t-shirt, where the metal pick still dangled off its middle.

"It's a dock tag." He mocked, knowing damn well Sirius hadn't given him anything like that. "Sure, mate."

Harry snatched it from his hand and pushed the chain under his t-shirt again. "Shut up."

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