(Y/N) couldn't sleep that night.

No one else realized the last sentence of the article, as they were far too concerned with the sighting of Sirius Black. (Y/N) couldn't find it in her to bring it up either – not even to Harry, as he could barely even finish his dinner after he heard Black was last seen in the next town over. When she got back to her dormitory, she pulled the curtains of her bed shut and didn't say a word, not even when Hermione came later in the night to ask if she was alright.

(Y/N) hadn't ever heard of a witch named Catherine (L/N) before, but the Malfoys had never cared much for talking about (Y/N)'s family. All she knew was that they were a proud, noble household and she was the last of their legacy. Everything else she knew, she'd found out by accident — like when Madam Malkin let it slip that there was another (L/N) who hadn't been in Slytherin.

(Y/N) didn't know who Catherine was to her. Maybe she was a cousin or an aunt. (Y/N) had never known her parents' names – perhaps she could even be her mother.

She thought briefly about writing to Narcissa to ask, but she wasn't even sure if she wanted to know – at least not through a letter. She would prefer to have a conversation like that face to face, though she doubted even then she'd get any sort of answer.

At breakfast the next morning, she hardly touched her food.

Fred and George, who thought she was still worked up about the sighting, assured her that the Dementors were likely to get Black before he even got close to the castle. But Lavender and Parvati thought (Y/N) had every right to be upset, for they remembered Harry's tea leaves and made sure everyone else did, too. (Y/N) left for Defense Against the Dark Arts early, just so they would leave her alone.

"Honestly," huffed Hermione as they walked through the empty corridors. "I wish they'd give it a rest."

But Ron seemed to be thinking hard about what they said, and looking unusually serious, he asked, "Harry, you haven't seen a great black dog anywhere, have you?"

"Yeah, I have," he answered. "I saw one the night I left the Dursley's."

(Y/N) looked at him as though he were mad. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Harry only shrugged. Hermione dismissively said, "It was probably a stray, there's nothing for him to tell."

"Hermione," said Ron. "If Harry's seen a Grim, that's — that's bad! My Uncle Bilius saw one and he died twenty-four hours later!"

"Coincidence," she said walking ahead.

Ron hurried after her. "You don't know what you're talking about! Grims scare the living daylights out of most wizards!"

"There you are then!" said Hermione. "They see the Grim and die of fright. The Grim's not an omen, it's the cause of death! And Harry's still with us because he's not stupid enough to see one and think, right, well, I'd better kick the bucket then!"

They spent the rest of the walk to class bickering. Harry looked so relieved that no one was paying attention to him anymore that (Y/N) couldn't bring herself to ask any more questions about the Grim.

They were among the first students to reach their classroom. Professor Lupin wasn't there yet, and (Y/N) wasn't quite sure if she was relieved or disappointed. The classroom was full by the time he arrived and students already had out their books and quills.

He looked better than when (Y/N) saw him last, as though he'd gotten a good rest and had a few filling meals. His robes were still shabby and he still carried around that old suitcase, but he had a warm smile as he addressed his class for the first time.

"Good morning. Would you please put all your books back in your bags? Today's will be a practical lesson. All you'll need are your wands."

(Y/N) and Harry exchanged a hesitant glance before they packed up their things. The closest they'd gotten to a practical lesson before then was when Lockhart set a horde of pixies loose on them last year.

Still, they followed Lupin down the corridors, whispering among themselves in interest. When they reached the door Lupin was leading them to, they found Peeves hanging upside down in midair and stuffing the keyhole with a wad of gum. He looked up as they approached, and a mischievous grin broke across his features.

"Loony, loopy Lupin!" he sang. "Loony loopy Lupin!"

Peeves was always doing something to inconvenience someone, but (Y/N) had never seen him disrespect a professor. She looked quickly at Lupin to see how he might react, but he was only smiling.

"I'd take that gum out of the keyhole if I were you, Peeves," he said. "Mr. Filch won't be able to get in to his brooms."

Peeves only blew a loud, wet raspberry and got back to work.

Professor Lupin sighed and took out his wand. "This is a useful little spell," he told his class over his shoulder, eyes sparkling. "Please watch closely." He raised his wand to shoulder height and said, "Waddiwasi!"

And just like that, the wad of gum shot straight from the keyhole and up Peeves' left nostril. He sped away, cursing.

"Cool, sir!"

"Thank you, Dean." Lupin tucked away his wand. "Shall we proceed?"

He opened up the door to the staffroom and stepped aside so everyone could file in. The tables and mismatched chairs had been pushed to the back of the room. In the front was a dusty old wardrobe that jolted when Professor Lupin got close.

"Intriguing, isn't it? Would anyone like to venture to guess as to what is inside?"

Dean's answer came at once. "That's a Boggart, that is."

"Very good," he nodded. "Now, can anyone tell me what a Boggart looks like?"

"No one knows," said Hermione. "Boggarts are shape-shifters. They take the shape of whatever a particular person fears the most. That's what makes them so–"

"So terrifying, yes..." The wardrobe shook again and (Y/N) jumped. Lupin didn't even flinch. "Luckily, a very simple charm exists to repel a Boggart. Let's practice it now. Um, without wands, please... After me: Riddikulus,"

"Riddikulus,"

"Very good," Lupin had to raise his voice; the Boggart was getting restless inside the wardrobe and causing a commotion. "A little louder, and very clear. Listen, Riddikulus,"

"Riddikulus!"

"This class is ridiculous," muttered Draco.

And, ignoring him, Lupin again said, "Very good! You see, the incantation alone is not enough. What really finishes a Boggart is laughter. You need to force it to assume a shape you find truly amusing. Let me explain. Uh... Neville! Will you join me, please?"

Neville straightened at once, looking around wildly for help. But their classmates only stepped aside so he could get through. (Y/N) was only glad Lupin didn't call on her.

"Come on," Lupin said encouragingly. "Don't be shy,"

Neville stepped up, looking quite pale.

"Hello," Lupin smiled. "Now, what frightens you most of all?"

He muttered something no one could hear.

"Sorry?"

"Professor Snape," came his answer.

Nearly everyone laughed, and even Neville couldn't help the apologetic grin that crossed his features. Even Lupin smiled as he thoughtfully said. "Professor Snape... Yes, frightens all..."

(Y/N) decided right then she liked Professor Lupin very much.

"And I believe you live with your grandmother?" he asked.

"Yes," Neville nodded and took a step back from the wardrobe. "But I don't want that Boggart turning into her either!"

"No," Lupin assured him as students laughed. "It won't. I want you to picture her clothes – only her clothes – very clearly in your mind."

"S-She carries a red handbag–"

Lupin shook his head. "We don't need to hear. As long as you see it, we'll see it. Now, when I open that wardrobe, here's what I want you to do. Excuse me," he bent down to speak to Neville in a low voice. Whatever he said must've surprised him, because Neville looked at Lupin with wide eyes. But he only gave an encouraging nod. "Can you do that?"

Neville shook his head yes.

"Good, now, wand at the ready," Professor Lupin dug in his robes. "One... two... three..."

And he cast a charm to open up the door.

Sure enough, Professor Snape came sauntering out, giving Neville a look down his nose that was just as vicious as the real thing.

"Think, Neville, think," Lupin prompted.

So, Neville pointed his wand right at the Boggart and said, "Riddikulus!" There was a loud cracking sound and suddenly, the loud roar of laughter.

Snape stood clutching that red handbag and wearing a big black hat with a moth-eaten vulture on top. His coat and matching skirt was a deep emerald, and he stumbled in his new pair of heels, looking absolutely bewildered.

Lupin's laughter was just as bright and loud as the students. "Wonderful, Neville, incredible! Okay, to the back, Neville! Everyone, form a line!"

(Y/N) was perfectly content to stay where she was in the middle of the room, but Draco and his  goons began pushing people out of their way so that they may hide in the back. She was very startled to find herself so close to the front.

"I want everyone to picture the thing they fear the very most and turn it into something funny." Professor Lupin put on a record at the front of the class. "Next, Ron!"

(Y/N) was not surprised when his Boggart turned into a great black spider big enough to take up most of the room. And off his spell – "Riddikulus!" all eight of its legs were nestled into roller skates. What once crept ominously near slipped and fell over itself.

"You see?" Lupin beamed. "Marvelous! Absolutely, very very enjoyable – Parvati, next!"

Ron was still smiling as he moved to the back of the class, giving Harry a high five as he passed.

As Parvati stepped up to face a large, hissing snake, (Y/N) tried to think of her greatest fear. She remembered when she was younger and the stories Draco would exaggerate about werewolves, vampires, and trolls but they hardly seemed frightening then. Not after she had faced Voldemort himself just months ago and won. Next, she thought of the Dementors on the train and the cold and dark that seized her, but she remember how easily Professor Lupin did away with them and the warmth that came after. And if it wasn't Voldemort or Dementors or the creatures that kept her up at night, (Y/N) didn't know what else it could possibly be.

Seamus was next, and the Boggart quickly changed itself into a banshee. She gave a horrible, screeching scream that made (Y/N) rush to cover her ears, but Seamus was quick to shout "Riddikulus!" She was relieved when the banshee could only gasp; she had lost her voice.

Dean was up next, and (Y/N) was running dangerously short on people to go before her, and she doubted Lavender would want to swap places.

She thought about Sirius Black next; lately, every time she heard his name he felt sick. Although, (Y/N) wasn't sure if it was because of Catherine (L/N), or if it was because of Harry and his Grim, and the fact that he thought Black may be after him.

"What d'you think yours will be?" She could feel Harry's arm brush hers as he leaned in to ask. She hoped he wouldn't notice her blush.

"I dunno," she answered truthfully. "Any idea about yours?"

"Not a clue," Harry smiled. "But I feel a bit better. At least I'm not the only one in for a surprise."

"Yeah," she said, grinning. "But you're the one that has to go first,"

As though he were queued, Lupin called, "Harry, you're next!"

"Good luck, Potter," (Y/N) teased him, and he playfully shoved her arm before he stepped up.

The Boggart took its time with Harry, as though it were unsure what it should change into. For a while, it hovered in midair, changing too quickly for (Y/N) to see what it was. Only when it began to truly take shape and she saw the end of a black, tattered cloak, did Professor Lupin jump in between the Boggart and Harry.

It changed again, to an unmistakable silver wisp of the full moon. He waved his wand quickly and shouted, "Riddikulus!" and the moon changed into a deflating white balloon that he sent hurtling back into the wardrobe.

"Right, well, sorry about that," he said, not missing even a moment. "That's enough for today. If you'd all like to collect your things from the back of the room – that's the end of the lesson. Thank you,"

A few students groaned, but (Y/N) couldn't help but feel the slightest bit relieved. Still, she wondered why Lupin hadn't let Harry have a go as she gathered her things. Even Harry looked the slightest bit annoyed as they left class.

No one else had seemed to notice. Ron was grinning ear to ear as they made their way through the corridors.

"That was the best Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson we've ever had, wasn't it?"

"He seems like a very good teacher," said Hermione. "But I wish I could have had a turn with the Boggart–"

Ron gave a harsh bark of laughter. "What would it have been for you? A piece of homework that only got a nine out of ten?"

***

Like most of the students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, (Y/N) was quick to decide Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Lupin was her favorite class. He was incredibly knowledgeable, which was very refreshing after their last two professors. After he taught them about Boggarts, Lupin moved on to Red Caps, and then after that, Kappas.

Snape had been in a rather sour mood ever since hearing about what Neville did to his Boggart. He hadn't thought it was funny at all, and at any mention of Lupin's name, his eyes flashed menacingly. Poor Neville couldn't catch a break from him, either; Snape was bullying him worse than ever.

Divination wasn't much better. Trelawney spent most of class crying; every time she looked at Harry, her eyes would well with tears. Lavender and Parvati had become insufferable. They spoke to Harry softly in the mornings and doted over (Y/N) in the evenings, for they were quite convinced her best friend might die at any moment. It only made (Y/N) like Padma a lot more; she didn't seem to share the same interest in Divination as her friends.

Poor Hagrid had lost his nerve after his first lesson. They spent three weeks alone learning how to care for flobberworms, which were extremely dull creatures. Ron was less concerned with looking after them than he was with why anyone would even bother.

Hermione was quick to devise that something was bothering (Y/N), but she wouldn't tell her what. She knew that Hermione would try to figure out Catherine (L/N) for her, and it was something (Y/N) would rather learn on her own. Though, every time she sat down to write a letter to Narcissa, she couldn't quite find the right words to say.

October brought with it a much-welcomed distraction. Alicia Spinnet, a Gryffindor Chaser, had suddenly resigned from the team so she could focus on studying for her O.W.L.s. Oliver Wood was distraught, but Harry had come to tell (Y/N) first thing after he found out. Trials for a replacement would be held the first weekend of October.

So, on the first chilly Saturday of the month, before the sun even rose, (Y/N) stood out in the cold. Harry lent her his scarf again, and it was still warm from when he wore it on the way down to the pitch. Even though it was early, Dean and Seamus made sure to get good spots in the stand. Ron sat beside them, though he was half asleep, and Hermione had come, too, but she was working her way through a hefty-looking assignment.

"I'm nervous," (Y/N) admitted, quiet enough so only Harry could hear.

He smiled and shook his head. "Don't be," he said. "You'll do great. Just think about it as a friendly game between friends."

She'd been trying to. Fred and George had helped some by cracking some jokes with her in between warm-up laps. Angelina Johnson had given (Y/N) a warm smile and wished her luck. But Oliver Wood was sitting on his broomstick and gazing down at everyone very severely – (Y/N) couldn't relax even if she wanted to.

"Don't mind Wood," George hovered a few feet above their heads, looking completely at ease. "He just looks like that because it's his last year,"

"Yeah," agreed Fred. "He gave us a whole chat in the locker room about weeding out any weak links." He teasingly added, "We'll go easy on you, though."

She rolled her eyes, grinning. "Thanks, Fred,"

They had a few more minutes left before trials would start. Harry and (Y/N) made a few laps around the pitch together before Wood blew his whistle. There were only three others trying out – two sixth-years and a fourth-year, each of them boys. (Y/N) tried not to think about how she was the youngest one as Wood gave a brief overview of the rules.

Finally, it was time to begin. Playing with and against the Gryffindor team was much different than makeshift matches in the gardens with Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle. (Y/N) was very glad for it; it was nice not having to stop every few minutes because someone got upset.

Angelina and Katie took special care to pass (Y/N) the Quaffle the most, and she wondered if it was because she was the only other girl. She was grateful for the extra opportunities to prove herself either way, and Wood seemed pleased with how nicely they worked together. However, the fourth-year boy was a very fast flyer, and one of the sixth years had a good arm on him. The other, George had told her, was participating in trials for the fifth time, so he knew exactly what Wood was looking for. (Y/N) couldn't tell which one of them had the advantage.

Trials seemed to end as quickly as they started. (Y/N) thoroughly enjoyed herself up in the air, but as she waited for Wood, who was zooming down from his post, she suddenly felt ill. But Wood hadn't even landed when he started with the questions.

"You're Harry's friend, aren't you?"

She nodded. "I'm (Y/N),"

"Where did you learn to fly like that, (Y/N)? Harry said you were good, but..." he shook his head. (Y/N) beamed at Harry, whose face had gone red. "You're really incredible,"

"Really?"

"Really," Wood nodded. "You've got the spot for Chaser, no questions asked." He turned toward everyone else, as though only just remembering they were there. "As for you lads, good flying, but maybe next year." They all looked disappointed as they gathered up their things. And Oliver, looking suddenly very serious said, "We'll meet three times a week in the evenings. It'll be getting colder, so be sure to bundle up; you can't go and get sick on us. We'll start practicing tomorrow, so don't be late and be sure to get a good rest tonight.

"And welcome to the team," said George, grinning.

"Oh, yeah," Wood nodded. "Welcome to the team."