It was the night before Harry's hearing, and no matter what Jenna did, she couldn't fall asleep. And even when she did manage to do so, she kept shooting awake. But before sunrise and at the bridge of twilight, when she woke up again for what felt like the tenth time, she realized that Sirius wasn't in bed.

Sitting up on the mattress, Jenna looked around the room with a frown, trying to come back to full consciousness before getting out of bed. She then wore her silky sleeping robe and tiptoed down the stairs.

When she neared the kitchen, Jenna started hearing noises. People were talking quietly from inside, and there were a few of them there.

Knowing that Harry wouldn't have to wake up for another hour, she didn't bother to transform to her cat form, and so Jenna pushed the door open to the kitchen, peering inside. There, she saw Sirius, Remus, and Tonks, along with Molly and Arthur, all wide awake.

"Morning," said Jenna with a little yawn, catching their attention.

"Oh, hey," Sirius smiled as the rest of them greeted her politely. "You woke up early."

"Couldn't sleep." Jenna shrugged, taking the seat beside Sirius at the table.

"Wish I could sleep," said Tonks, yawning widely. Her eyes were puffy, meaning that she had been awake the whole night.

"Been at the Ministry all night, have you?" Jenna questioned.

"You bet." Tonks scoffed, but it was cut off with yet another yawn.

"So how's Harry going to the Ministry?" Jenna asked, turning to face Arthur.

"I'm taking him to London by Muggle underground trains," he said. "It's wiser not to use magic while getting there. And then we'll get to the Ministry by the visitors' entrance."

Seeing the look of distress on her face, Molly poured Jenna some tea and placed the cup before her on the table. "That should calm your nerves a bit," she said kindly.

But when Jenna didn't even move, Molly placed a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "I'm sure Harry will be all right. I have a good feeling."

"And Molly's feelings are always right," said Arthur with a smile, trying to sound cheerful.

"They won't be able to expel him," Remus started. "The law states clearly that even an underage wizard can use magic in life-threatening situations."

"Not if the Minister himself is betting against him," Jenna said gloomily, taking a sip of her sweet warm tea, feeling slightly better afterwards.

"By the way," Tonks began, trying to shake her head awake, "the funniest thing's been happening at the Ministry with Scrimgeour —"

But her words were cut off and she fell silent when they heard footsteps approaching the kitchen.

"That must be Harry," said Sirius.

On cue, Jenna transformed back to Crookshanks, jumping down from the chair and sitting on the floor at the end of the long table.

Moments later, Harry pushed the door open and stepped inside, surprised to see so many people present at the table at such early hour. His hair was messier than ever, and he was wearing the clothes that Molly had ironed for him the previous night.

At his sight, Molly leapt to her feet the moment he entered. "Breakfast," she said as she pulled out her wand and hurried over to the fire.

"M-m-morning, Harry," Tonks said in between another yawn. "Sleep all right?"

"Yeah," said Harry.

"I've b-b-been up all night," she said, with another shuddering yawn. "Come and sit down..." She drew out a chair, knocking over the one beside it in the process.

"What do you want, Harry?" Molly called. "Porridge? Muffins? Kippers? Bacon and eggs? Toast?"

"Just — just toast, thanks," said Harry awkwardly.

Remus glanced at Harry, then said to Tonks, "What were you saying about Scrimgeour?"

"Oh... yeah... well, we need to be a bit more careful, he's been asking Kingsley and me funny questions..."

Molly then placed a couple of pieces of toast and marmalade in front of Harry. She then sat down on his other side and started fussing with his T-shirt, tucking in the label and smoothing out creases across the shoulders.

"...and I'll have to tell Dumbledore I can't do night duty tomorrow, I'm just t-t-too tired," Tonks finished, yawning hugely again.

"I'll cover for you," said Arthur. "I'm okay, I've got a report to finish anyway..."

He then turned to face Harry, saying softly, "How are you feeling?"

Harry shrugged in response. Jenna watched him with concern. The anxiety was obvious on his expression.

"It'll all be over soon," Arthur said bracingly. "In a few hours' time you'll be cleared."

Harry said nothing.

"The hearing's on my floor, in Amelia Bones's office," Arthur went on. "She's Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and she's the one who'll be questioning you."

"Amelia Bones is okay, Harry," said Tonks earnestly. "She's fair, she'll hear you out."

Harry nodded, still unable to think of anything to say.

"Don't lose your temper," said Sirius abruptly. "Be polite and stick to the facts."

Harry nodded again.

"The law's on your side," said Lupin quietly. "I've just been saying; even underage wizards are allowed to use magic in dangerous situations."

Just then, Harry was caught off guard and startled when Molly started attacking his black messy hair with a wet comb, trying make it look neat.

"Doesn't it ever lie flat?" she said desperately.

Harry shook his head.

Jenna felt her stomach lurch as she watched them with her yellow eyes. For a split second, it looked as if Molly was Euphemia Potter and Harry was James. Her mother always used to try and get James's hair to stay neatly, but her efforts had always been useless.

Arthur checked his watch and looked up at Harry. "I think we'll go now," he said. "We're a bit early, but I think you'll
be better off there than hanging around here."

"Okay," said Harry automatically, dropping his toast and getting to
his feet.

"You'll be all right, Harry," said Tonks, patting him on the arm.

"Good luck," said Remus. "I'm sure it will be fine."

"And if it's not," said Sirius grimly, "I'll see to Amelia Bones for you..."

Harry smiled weakly. Molly hugged him. Jenna wished she could hug him too. To tell him that everything was going to be all right. That she and Sirius would always be there for him, no matter what.

"We've all got our fingers crossed," said Molly, pulling away.

"Right," said Harry. "Well... see you later then."

He then followed Arthur upstairs and along the hall, disappearing out of sight as the sound of their footsteps faded away.

"Oh, I really wish it goes well." Molly let out a miserable sigh, looking worried.

"Yeah..." Sirius muttered, gazing down at the table. "Me too." But Jenna could sense from his tone that his words weren't too sincere.