a/n: final chapter for third year!! yippie!! on a more serious note, tw for slight mentions of abuse

We made it back down to the Hospital Wing in the nick of time, after informing Dumbledore of our success. We sneaked back into our beds not a second too soon, as Madam Pomfrey reentered the ward.

"Was that the headmaster leaving? Am I allowed to look after my patients now?" She asked irritably. She began to hand us more and more chocolate. We took it quietly, waiting tensely for a sign . . .

Suddenly, there was a loud, strangled roar from floors above.

Madam Pomfrey jumped, dropping the chocolate she was giving me onto my lap.

"What was that?" She asked, alarmed. I shrugged, fighting back a grin as I picked up the chunk of chocolate and bit into it.

The voices were growing nearer, and we could hear them now.

"He must have Disapparated, Severus. We should have left somebody in the room with him. When this gets out—"

"HE DIDN'T DISAPPARATE!" Professor Snape was seething. "YOU CAN'T APPARATE OR DISAPPARATE INSIDE THIS CASTLE! THIS — HAS — SOMETHING — TO — DO — WITH — POTTER!"

Harry and I barely had time to exchange a look when the door burst open with a loud bang. Dumbledore looked like he was enjoying himself, but Fudge and Professor Snape were angry. The latter of the two was beside himself with rage. He marched up to Harry's bed furiously.

"OUT WITH IT, POTTER!" He yelled. "WHAT DID YOU DO?"

"Professor Snape!" Madam Pomfrey snapped. "Control yourself."

"Snape, be reasonable," Fudge motioned to the door. "This doors been locked, we just saw—"

"THEY HELPED HIM ESCAPE, I KNOW IT!" Professor Snape howled, pointing at the three of us.

"Calm down, man!" Fudge ordered. "You're speaking nonsense!"

"YOU DON'T KNOW POTTER!" Snape's fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles were white. "HE DID IT! I KNOW HE DID IT—"

"That will do, Severus," Dumbledore interjected quietly. "Think about what you are saying. This door has been locked since I left the ward ten minutes ago. Madam Pomfrey, have these students left their beds?"

"Of course not"  said Madam Pomfrey. "I would have heard them!"

"Well, there you have it, Severus," Dumbledore said calmly. "Unless you are suggesting that Harry and Hermione are able to be in two places at once, I'm afraid I don't see any point in troubling them further."

Snape stood there fuming, looking between Dumbledore, Fudge, and the three of us, before turning on his heel and storming out of the ward.

"Fellow seems quite unbalanced," remarked Fudge. "I'd look out for him if I were you, Dumbledore."

"Oh, he's not unbalanced," said Dumbledore tranquilly. "He's just suffered a severe disappointment."

After Fudge promised to have the Dementors removed from the school, he and Dumbledore left the ward. Madame Pomfrey retreated back into her office.

Suddenly, I swore. Harry and Hermione looked at me in alarm.

"What?" Harry asked.

"Arithmancy exam," I said solemnly to Hermione, and she swore just as nastily.

We left the Hospital Wing the next day at seven to get breakfast before our exam. The Slytherin half of our study group looked particularly miserable, though Draco seemed rather enthused to see me.

"Did you do it?" He asked vaguely.

"I did it," I confirmed. His smirk widened.

"I knew you would." Seeing Hermione, he nodded to her. "Nervous?"

"About- About the exam?" She stammered, unused to him being so civil. "I suppose. I didn't have much of a chance to study for this one."

"You shouldn't be," Draco said. "You'll snag second place easily."

"More like third," Pansy snorted, since she was the best at Arithmancy out of all of us. Draco just shrugged in agreement.

"Maybe third." He amended. Hermione grinned at the challenge. The four of us sat together as we enjoyed our breakfast. Dean came in about ten minutes later, and we waved him over as well.

"When did you all become so chummy?" Hermione asked, astounded by our camaraderie.

"Study group," we all answered in unison. Hermione gasped.

"You had study group without me?!" She exclaimed. "I'm never getting over this."

"No, no, you just weren't a part of the original two study groups," Dean assured her. "Lila was studying with me and Neville and Seamus in addition to these two. I was the one that suggested we combine them."

"And anyway, you had way too much going on this year for that," I reminded her. "We'll do study group next year, and you can join us granted you drop a few classes."

"Oh, certainly," Hermione agreed. "Divination, definitely. Probably Muggle Studies too."

"You grew up with Muggles," Draco frowned at her. "What in Merlin's name are you taking Muggle Studies for?"

"You've hated Muggles all your life," Hermione countered. "What are you taking Muggle studies for?"

"You're taking Muggle Studies?!" I gaped. "Since when?"

"All year," Draco's smirk slipped into a grin. "Granger promised not to tell anyone if I promised not to say anything about her Time Turner." At my baffled expression, he continued. "I noticed it in our first class. My family used to have one locked up in the attic."

"Mutually assured destruction," I said in awe. "I honestly can't believe it."

Luckily, I was able to focus on my Arithmancy exam when the time came, though afterward the absurdity of the situation came right back. Draco started walking off in the opposite direction as Pansy and Blaise, who wanted to go back to sleep. I ended up following him, despite my own exhaustion. He didn't seem surprised by this.

"So alright, you had your agreement with Hermione," I was thinking out loud. "But what about everyone else? Why didn't anyone else say anything?"

"They either knew better or didn't care," Draco stopped next to a tree facing the Black Lake. The bush behind us is where Harry and I had hid the night prior. "No other Slytherins were in my class, and the other purebloods didn't say a word. Granger was really the only one I had to worry about." He had a seat right where he was on the grass. "My father would have been furious if he knew."

I found my seat right beside him. "So will you take it again next year?"

"Probably not," Draco reasoned. "But there's still a lot I have to learn."

I furrowed my brow. "What'll you do when it comes up on your score card?"

Draco only shook his head. "I'll figure that out when the time arrives. I might just let them face the truth."

My jaw dropped.

"Black did it." He continued at my baffled expression. "My mum told me. They were cousins. He ran away from home and got burned off the family tree. I'd consider it if — well, if it weren't for her."

He sighed, pulling his knees to his chest. "You were right, sort of. My father — he does what he thinks is best for us, for the family name. But I've realized it's done more harm than good." He scrunched and unscrunched his face. "It's hard to explain. Probably hard for you to understand, with a father like yours."

An idea crossed my mind. "I can try."

I extended both of my hands, palms up. Draco looked at them, then at me. Wordlessly, he lifted both his hands and placed them atop mine. I closed my eyes.

It was very cold. This wasn't like prior times I'd used my Sight, where the memories were clear and vivid. There were flashes of color, of sound, of feeling, and a perpetual chill. It would make sense — Draco was young at this time to begin with, and a lot of these memories were probably very repressed.

Sometimes there was shouting, then pain, followed by warm, wet tears. Sometimes there were arms to embrace him, but most of the time, there weren't. There was a more vivid flash of memory — Draco met Pansy for the first time, and the very first thing she did was hug him. He didn't know how to respond — he'd only been hugged when he was crying.

The memories from then on were more bipolar. There was warmth and light in some places now, more than there used to be. There were sunsets observed from the roof. But then the coldness got colder, the darkness darker.

And suddenly there was me.

Draco took his hands from mine as though they'd burned him, and perhaps they had. The last feeling I'd recalled was warmth. I opened my eyes to watercolor, and blinked my own tears away just in time to see him wipe away his.

Neither of us spoke, for the few moments we both returned to the present. But then my arms were around him in a hug, and he was tense until he relaxed.

"Noticed that, did you?" He said dryly.

"This is payback for last year outside the Chamber." I told him as I let him go. "But I understand now. Thank you for showing me."

"You didn't have to volunteer to be my therapist." He nonchalantly turned and looked back at the lake.

"Who said anything about a therapist?" I sat down beside him, hugging my own knees into my chest. "We're friends, Draco. You might be a bit of an arse, but we all have our shortcomings."

"You know, you're not the nicest person either," Draco said reproachfully.

He put his hands back behind his head, I placed both my hands on the ground and stretched my legs out in front of me, crossing them at the ankle. We sat in silence for a moment and continued to watch as the giant squid splashed around in the lake. We'd be leaving tomorrow for home. Draco would go back to that cold, dark, lonesome place. I'd go home to my father and Angela. None of it seemed fair.

"Your father is right," Draco said suddenly. "One should always do the right thing if they can. But it's easier for some than for others," he tossed a small rock around, making it flit effortlessly between his fingers. "But just because it's hard doesn't mean I shouldn't try, yeah?"

"Yeah," I agreed, amazed by his control over his wandless magic. "You're pretty incredible, you know."

"Oh, I know," he joked. "Here, want me to teach you?"

I was unsuccessful, even after an hour, but we were both in a pleasant mood by the end of it. I had a sudden realization that made me spring to my feet.

"What's the matter?" Draco asked, surprised.

"I've got to see Dumbledore," I told him. "Urgently, actually. There are a few things he needs to know about what happened last night."

Draco furrowed his brow. "You're going to tell him about the hippogriff?"

I waved a hand impatiently. "He already knows about that. It's about," I paused. "Well, you'll hear of it in the paper."

"That's just terribly unfair," Draco rolled his eyes at me.

"I'll see you around," I chirped, turning on my heel.

He sighed, exasperated. "You too."

After a moments pause, he stopped me. "Lila—"

I turned back around. "Yes?"

Draco smirked from the ground. "Tell Potter he's a filthy git for me, would you?"

I grinned, turning back around. "Will do."

"And tell Weasley—"

"Goodbye, Draco."

I walked away with a grin tugging at my lips. Upon reaching the gargoyle, I realized I didn't know the password.

"Lemon tart," I said hopefully. The gargoyle stared back at me blankly. "Chocolate cauldron."

More staring.

"Peppermint toad," I tried again.

"Close, but not quite; try peppermint imps."

I whipped around to see Dumbledore himself walking towards me, looking rather tired.

"Hello, Professor," I said cordially. "I need to talk to you about something . . ."

"I had a feeling you did," Dumbledore nodded knowingly, that twinkle in his eye. "Come in, now. And have a seat."

"Pettigrew knows." I burst as soon as he shut the door behind him. "About me. And he got away."

"I figured something like this would happen." He said tranquilly, as though this had been his whole plan from the start. "But you're in luck, because even so, Voldemort can never find you. Sirius is now your secret keeper too."

"Oh," my heart stuttered with relief. "Well, that's good."

"Is that all?" He asked, as though he knew there was more.

"Yeah. Er-" I wondered how best to phrase this. "I'm not sure I can do Occlumency with Professor Snape anymore."

"Well that alright." Dumbledore didn't ask for an explanation, his lips pulled into an amused sort of smile. "He said he was satisfied with your progress — the rest, you could do on your own anyway."

Once again, relief took all of the stress out of my body. The wave of exhaustion hit me in full.

"Now, unfortunately. I have to go see Professor Lupin out, if you would like to come with me."

"See him out? Why?" I sat up straighter.

"I'm afraid Remus is resigning," Professor Dumbledore said soberly.

"What? But he's the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had!" I protested, my heart sinking.

"Word got out that he suffers from lycanthropy," Professor Dumbledore frowned. "And while this does not affect his teaching ability in the slightest, I'm afraid the owls from parents will be arriving sometime tonight or tomorrow. They don't want a werewolf teaching their children."

I scoffed. "Do you have to listen to them?"

Dumbledore sighed. "I certainly can't ignore them."

"Why not?" I cocked my head in challenge.

"Parents will always do what they think is best for their child. Pulling their child out of school is a common response, for some reason." Dumbledore explained to me. "They'll have nowhere to learn magic, and our staff will have no one to teach."

"Aren't there other magic schools?" I inquired.

"Certainly. The closest alternatives are in France, and Bulgaria." Dumbledore affirmed his point. "Hogwarts is the only wizarding school in Britain."

"But that's ridiculous." I shook my head, still refusing to accept such an easy defeat. "Nobody pulled their children out when the Chamber was opened."

"It was very close." Dumbledore reminded me. "We had an antidote for paralysis, but if another student were to die-"

I leaned forward insistently. "But if Lupin receives the Wolfsbane Potion every time—"

"Things happen, Lila. Like last night." Dumbledore said patiently. "And either way, I'm not the one you need to argue with. Remus is the one who is resigning. I had no intention of firing him, owls or no owls."

"Well can't you try to explain—"

"It's best we be on our way — I expect he'll want to leave quickly." Dumbledore stood from his chair, closing off the conversation. He held the door for me as we made our way out of his office.

We walked in solemn silence down to Professor Lupin's. I realized how his lessons with Harry had saved our lives and I wondered if we'd ever find a teacher as incredible. Once we'd reached his office, Professor Dumbledore knocked on the door. Professor Lupin opened it and much to my surprise, Harry stood behind him. If Dumbledore was surprised to see him, he didn't show it.

"Your carriage is at the gates, Remus," said Professor Dumbledore.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Lupin nodded politely. He smiled tiredly at me once he caught sight of me.

"I hate to say goodbye like this, Lila," he said sadly. "I'm sure Professor Dumbledore told you what happened."

"Please stay," I urged instead. "You're the best we've ever had. Everyone will miss you."

"I'll miss you all too," Professor Lupin answered with a smile. "It has been a real pleasure teaching you. You remind me so much of your mother, truly. I feel sure we'll meet again. And also," he paused, his eyes closing just for a moment. "Thank you, for all that you did for Sirius."

Raising his voice again, he nodded to Dumbledore. "Headmaster, there is no need to see me to the gates, I can manage. . ."

"Good-bye, then, Remus," said Dumbledore, sounding rather sad himself. Professor Lupin shook his hand. He looked over his shoulder at Harry and nodded, and as he passed me on his way out, he did the same. Only once he turned the corner did my gaze return back to the empty office, where Harry had sat glumly in a chair and was staring at the floor.

Professor Dumbledore beckoned me inside and closed the door behind me.

"Why so miserable, Harry?" Professor Dumbledore asked gently. "You should be very proud of yourself after last night."

"It didn't make any difference," Harry said bitterly. "Pettigrew got away."

"Didn't make any difference?" Dumbledore repeated. "It made all the difference in the world, Harry. You helped uncover the truth. You saved an innocent man from a terrible fate."

Harry suddenly started.

"I just remembered — yesterday, when I was having my Divination exam, Professor Trelawney went very strange."

This was news to me and I perked up immediately.

"Indeed?" said Dumbledore, intrigued. "Er — stranger than usual, you mean?"

"Yes..." Harry trailed off, as if trying to remember. "Her voice went all deep and her eyes rolled and she said . . . she said Voldemort's servant was going to set out to return to him before midnight. She said the servant would help him come back to power." Harry looked between the two of us. "Was she making a real prediction?"

Instead of my reaction, being one of shock, Dumbledore looked mildly impressed.

"Do you know, Harry, I think she might have been." he said thoughtfully. "Who'd have thought it? That brings her total of real predictions up to two. I should offer her a pay raise. . ."

"But — but —" Harry looked worried. "I stopped Sirius and Professor Lupin from killing Pettigrew! That makes it my fault if Voldemort comes back!"

"It does not," said Dumbledore wisely. "Hasn't your experience with the Time-Turner taught you anything, Harry? The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed. Professor Trelawney, bless her, is living proof of that. You did a very noble thing, in saving Pettigrew's life."

"But if he helps Voldemort back to power . . ."

"Pettigrew owes his life to you." Dumbledore replied. "You have sent Voldemort someone who is in your debt. When one wizard saves another wizard's life, it creates a certain bond between them. . . and I'm much mistaken if Voldemort wants his servant in the debt of Harry Potter."

"I don't want a connection with Pettigrew!" Harry exclaimed.

"This is magic at its deepest, its most impenetrable, Harry. But trust me. . . the time may come when you will be very glad you saved Pettigrew's life."

There was a pause. Harry had never looked more confused. Professor Dumbledore was looking at Harry knowingly.

"I knew your father very well, both at Hogwarts and later, Harry," he said gently. "He would have saved Pettigrew too, I am sure of it."

Professor Dumbledore nodded goodbye to both of us, leaving us together in our thoughts.

"Are you worried?" Harry asked me. "About Pettigrew?"

"Loads," I said truthfully. "Dumbledore said Voldemort won't be able to find me. Apparently I inherited Sirius as my secret keeper. But I still worry — he won't be happy to learn he has a blood relative." I thought back to his reaction in the diary, then sighed. "What about you, then? Are you worried?"

"Very," Harry nodded. "I don't want Voldemort to come back to power. Dumbledore doesn't seem so worried, though."

"Dumbledore never seems worried. That's his whole shtick," I flicked a piece of grass off my skirt. "He keeps things from us until the time is right, and even then he never tells the full truth. He lets us live in blissful ignorance until the very last second, so he