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    Samantha passed a hand through her hair, staring at empty space in front of her. She could hear the voices and footsteps of all the people in the house, but after all those years, she wasn't used to the noise.

There was a call for everyone to get down for dinner, but she wasn't hungry. All that was in her mind was that everything was going to change, again, and there might be another war. Nothing broke her heart more than to imagine what could happen.

She sighed and stood up, existing the Sirius' room. She couldn't rest, not too much at least.

Samantha walked downstairs, hearing the muffle conversation happening in the kitchen. She passed her fingertips in the wall, feeling the smoothest. It wasn't until she reached the room that she stopped, and contemplated if she should go in. But she knew she had to, her feelings shouldn't have control of her all the time.

    When she entered, she saw most of the Weasleys, Tonks, Remus, Hermione, Harry and Sirius at the table, while Moody was in the corner. They were already eating, and having a serious conversation apparently.

     ❝But I don't understand, what does the Ministry have against me?❞ Harry asked, looking between the adults at the table.

She walked to the sit that she guessed it was for her, in between Harry and Sirius. She smiled at everyone and sat, looking down at her plate.

❝show him, he'll find out soon enough❞ Moody mumbled, nodding at the men. Remus gave Harry a newspaper and her godson put the paper in between them so she could read it too.

The title read "the boy who lies?"

Samantha frowned, reading all the stuff that had been published. Of course they would make up all that, she wasn't surprised.

❝They have been attacking Dumbledore as well❞ Sirius informes them, locking eyes with her ❝Fudge is using all his power and influence in the Daily Prophet, debunking all who believe the Dark Lord has returned❞

Harry furrowed his eyebrows, looking between the paper and his godfather ❝why?❞

❝the Minister thinks Dumbledore is after his job❞ Remus informed them, knowing well she didn't read the newspaper.

❝but that's insane, on one in their right mind would believe that Dumbledore—❞ Harry was interrupted by Remus, and she too how vocal he could be when he was mad, so she put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it.

    ❝exactly the point❞ Remus pointed at him, nodding ❝Fudge isn't in his right mind, he's been twisted and whipped by fear, now fear makes people do terrible things, Harry, the last time he had all his power we almost lost everything we hold dear❞ the three friends looked down, remembering the same people. Remus sighed, looking at Harry again ❝now that he's returned, I'm afraid the Minister would do almost anything to avoid facing the terrible truth❞

    Harry and Samantha looked at each other. They already had previous conversations about the way people might act because of his return. But hearing it from another person made it more real.

    ❝we think Voldemort wants to built his army again❞ Sirius spoke, and he had all eyes on him ❝fourteen years ago he had huge numbers on his command, and not just witches and wizards, but all kinds of dark creatures, he's been getting them heavily and we've been attempting to do the same, but gathering followers isn't the only thing he's interested in❞

    Moody cleared his throat, sending a sharp look at Sirius. She knew this was a signal to make him stop talking, but he had never obeyed the rules before, what made them think he would do now?

    ❝we believe Voldemort may be after something❞ Sirius lowered his voice, and she frowned, analyzing his expression.

    ❝Sirius❞ Moody muttered as a warning, but to no avail.

    ❝something he didn't had last time❞ Sirius looked at Samantha, and her heart began to beat fast, thinking the worst.

    ❝you mean like a weapon?❞ Harry asked, leaning closer to the table.

    Sirius opened his mouth to respond, but Molly stopped him, making a loud noise as she put down her knife. Samantha flinched at the sound, and her demeanor didn't go unnoticed by certain people in the table around her.

    ❝No, that's enough, he is just a boy❞ Molly came towards them, snatching the newspaper away from them. Sam sighed and turn to see the woman ❝if you say much more, you might as well indict him to the Order straight away, but if not, then—❞

    ❝that's not your decision, Molly❞ Samantha said softly, her icy blue eyes settling in the woman ❝if Harry wants to know what's going on, he has the right to, this is his life too❞

❝but he could be in danger❞ Molly argued, furrowing her eyebrows.

❝he has always been in danger, only this time is more publicly❞ Sam sighed, not wanting to make the woman upset.

❝I want to join❞ Harry spoke, taking all the eyes to him ❝if Voldemort is raising an army I want to fight❞ he looked at Samantha with a pleading look, and she pursed her lips, not knowing what to say.

Knowing what was going on and being in the front lines was a total different thing. She felt Sirius grabbing her hand, giving it a squeeze.

❝why don't we change the subject? For the sake the of the night❞ Arthur said, looking at the people around him.

    People nodded, and they saw Molly huff and turn around, going straight to what she was doing. Moments later, she send the rest of food to each one, allowing them to start eating.

    ❝How's your summer been, Harry?❞ Remus asked, smiling lightly at the boy.

    Harry shrugged ❝good, you know, being kept in the dark, doing the usual stuff, Sam has always something planned so that keeps me busy❞

    She send him him a look and pointed at his food, telling him to start eating even though they had dinner a few hours earlier.

    ❝is that Jasper still around?❞ Sirius asked, causing her to freeze. She looked down, having a certain person look a her in confusion. Before she could respond, Harry did it first.

    ❝No, he actually went to take his stuff a couple of days ago, seem angry or something❞ he shrugged, causing her to bite the inside of her cheek.

    ❝why?❞ Sirius asked, but at that moment he was interrupted by Remus, who put down his fork in a loud manner. She closed her eyes, knowing what was going to happen.

    ❝you haven't told them?❞ Remus asked incredulously, staring at Samantha. 

    ❝told us what?❞ Harry and Sirius asked at the same time, looking between the two.

    Samantha finally looked up, setting down her utensils ❝No, Remus, I haven't told them❞

    ❝Told us what?❞ Sirius asked again, looking between the two, but the two best friends acted like they were the only people in the room.

    ❝You told me you would, Samantha❞ Remus frowned, upset.

    ❝I know❞ she mumbled, shaking her head.

    ❝then why—❞

    ❝because I don't want them to know!❞ she furrowed her eyebrows, passing a hand through her face in frustration.

    ❝they deserve to know!❞ Remus pointed at them, and she shook her head.

    ❝know what?❞ Harry asked, his eyes widening at the thought of something happening regarding her ex fiancé.

    Remus looked her in the eyes before turning to the two, she opened her mouth in disbelief ❝Remus❞ she warned, but he still went on.

❝Sam arrived home when Jasper was there, they had an argument and he—❞

    Samantha kicked him under the table, causing him to jump in surprise and look at her with his eyebrows raised.

     ❝did you just—❞

    She raised her eyebrow, sending him a look. The table was silent, looking between the two. She sighed, pushing away her chair.

    ❝excuse me❞ she muttered, standing up immediately.

    Sirius and Harry were about to stand up and follow her, but Remus was more faster and stood up. He motioned the two to wait and quickly went after his best friend.

She was about to go upstairs when he ran towards her, taking her wrist. She had no other voice than to turn and face him, but she looked away.

    ❝hey❞ he said softly, trying to catch her eyes. He put a hand on her shoulder and the other one on her chin ❝Sam❞ she finally turned and he sighed ❝you told me you were going to tell them❞

❝I didn't want to❞ she whispered, sighing as she shook her head.

❝why not?❞ Remus put his two hands on her shoulders, frowning ❝what if they saw your marks and asked you about it? Were you gonna lie?❞

❝because I don't want them to feel sorry for me!❞ she frowned, gulping. He was going to speak, but she shook her head, defeated ❝I didn't want to tell them because they were going to be angry, the last thing we need is more anger...and the last thing I want to do is remember❞ she whispered, closing her eyes.

Remus stood silent, feeling bad about what had happened ❝I'm really sorry❞ he whispered, shaking his head ❝I should've never brought it up❞

❝it's alright❞ she opened her eyes, smiling gently ❝it had to happened, and you're right, they could noticed and I was not going to lie to them❞

❝can you forgive me?❞ Remus asked, his features down in a sad way, even making puppy eyes. That caused her to chuckled, and nod multiple times.

❝it's all forgiven, Remy❞ she half smiled gently at him.

Crossing the door, Sirius came out of the kitchen and looked between the two, frowning. She looked at him, sighing heavily.

❝You got this❞ Remus whispered, squeezing her shoulders.

He stepped back from her and began to walk towards the kitchen, patting Sirius on the shoulder as he passed him.

Samantha leaned her back against the wall, looking down as she heard his footsteps getting closer. Once he was standing in front of her, she looked at him.

❝what's going on, Samantha?❞

She pursed her lips and put a string of hair behind her ear. This was going to be a difficult conversation. It was now or never. She sighed, as she began to tell what had happened that night, watching of the spark of anger began to flare in his dark eyes.

    Samantha was walking next to Harry, and they had some members of the Order around them for protection. She was looking around, making sure they were not spotted by many people.

    After the dinner, Samantha has told Sirius what had happened with Jasper, and he was more than furious. It took Remus and Arthur to hold him down because he wanted to go out and look for Jasper. Even though she kept quiet for her own reasons, she couldn't help but feel guilty about it.

    Harry didn't ask what had happened, because he understood that it was a secret. But she promised him that she'll tell him some other time, because it was all too heated to recall what had happened.

    Besides that, Arthur and her took Harry to his hearing. It was a desperate process, but at the end, they took back their decision.

    Now, they were taking Harry to the station to depart for his upcoming term.

    ❝are you nervous?❞ she asked him, and Harry nodded, looking at her ❝this is one of the most important years, but enjoy it as much as you can, it's going to be a hard time❞

    ❝I hope it's a good year❞ he muttered, looking around them to see people minding their own business. They went through the muggle section so they weren't spotted that easily, but they were still cautious.

    ❝me too, Har❞ she sighed, gripping her purse tightly.

    Behind them, a dog barks, taking their attention. Their eyes widened when they see Sirius in his animagous form, guiding them somewhere.

    Padfoot walked down the stairs, entering a compartment of the station that was alone. Despite Moddy mumbling under his breath, Samantha and Harry walked faster towards the room, making sure no one was seeing them.

    Harry opened the door and closed it after she got in, and they both sighed at seeing a smiling Sirius in front of them.

    ❝what are you doing here? If they see you—❞ Harry approached him, shaking his head. Samantha crossed her arms against her chest, walking towards them in a slower manner.

    ❝I wanted to see you off❞ Sirius shrugged, sitting down while he fixed his rope ❝what's life without a little risk❞ he smirked, causing her to roll her eyes.

    ❝we don't want to see you back in Azkaban❞ Harry shook his head, but approached his godfather nonetheless, sitting down next to him.

    ❝especially now that I'm close to getting you free❞ she reproached, narrowing her eyes at him. She tilted her head, noticing the tattoos on his open chest. She stared at them for some time before looking up at him again.

    ❝sorry, my love, but I wanted to give him this❞ he smiled as he took out something from his rope, he gave it to Harry, looking at her ❝the original Order of the Phoenix❞

    Samantha smiled sadly, sitting down next to Harry. The boy looked between his two godparents after spotting them in the picture.

    ❝Sammy over here was one of the first ones to join❞ Sirius informes Harry, and he looked at her. She smiled, nodding at the memory. Sirius continued pointing at the picture, seeing the faces of the people who unfortunately most were dead ❝that's Marlene McKinnon, she was killed two weeks after this photo was taken, Voldemort wiped out her entire family❞

   ❝Sam told me about her, we visit her grave when we go see my mum and dad❞ Harry nodded, and Sam pursed her lips, looking at the bright smile of her late friend.

    ❝Frank and Alice Longbottom❞ Sirius pointed at the couple, and she sighed.

    ❝Neville's parents❞

    ❝they suffered a fate worst than death❞ Sirius said quietly, remembering the time Sam told him about how they weren't the same people anymore.

    The three stayed quiet for a little, watching the faces of all the people, oblivious to have was going to happen. She often wonder that if she knew then what was going to happen, how could she change the course of everything. But it was just a never ending cycle.

    Harry's finger's traced in the photo, landing in Sam. She was smiling wide, standing between Sirius and James who were equally smiling.

    ❝it's been fourteen years and there's not a day I miss your dad❞ Sirius nodded slowly, sighing.

    ❝it still feels like yesterday when I remember being with them❞ Sam smiled sadly, tracing her fingers along the photo.

    ❝do you really think there's going to be a war?❞ Harry asked, looking between his godparents. Sam and Sirius shared a look, debating on how to say it.

    Sirius took the initiative, making a gesture while she put a hand on his shoulder ❝It seems like it did before❞ Harry took the picture and extended to Sirius, but she quickly shook his head ❝you keep it❞ he smiled, putting a hand in his other shoulder ❝anyway, I suppose you're the young ones now❞

    Samantha scoffed ❝speak for yourself❞

    Harry chuckled and looked between the two as they smiled at each other. He then looked down at the photo again, picturing more vividly the moment.

    Whatever happened, he knew he would have them two, even if the world was against them. Because even though Harry lost his biological parents, he still had the fortune of having his other parent figures.

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