Author's note: Hello everyone, I'm sorry there was such a a long break between chapters. I've been busy and having major writer's block. Hopefully I can get back to writing on a regular basis again. Hope you all enjoy!

“No Hermione?”

“She had to run back to her room for something. Where are the others?”

“Crabbe and Goyle are getting a little more practice in, and the girls said they needed to get cleaned up. So will we need to save an extra seat?”

Classes were dull. It's like we have already learned everything they have to teach us this year, so all we have left to do is keep practicing the same things over and over. This led to several people doing their own things during Charms and Transfiguration classes once we demonstrated our ability to perform the day's task. In potions class we simply had a random potion written next to our names written on the board before we even entered the classroom.

Author's Note~

“That actually explains a lot.” Tracy said as she saw me pour the vial into my drink. “Just a tip, you can drink it straight. It keeps people out of your business.”

“It's not that big of a deal is it?”

“Technically, you're now on the market for marriage proposals.”

“I'm only eleven.”

“It's an archaic law, but it's still in place.”

I placed the empty vial in one of my robe pockets and scanned the room to see if anyone else had noticed.

The sun was just about to set when we arrived at Hagid’s hut. “There you two are. I was about ta send the search party out looking fer ya!” Hagrid said, already holding several lanterns in one hand and a very large crossbow in the other. “But since you showed up on time you can help search instead of being searched for.”

This story is set in my world of Lyra Black (first known as Holly Potter) during their 4th year (maybe 5th). While this is set in the future (in reference to where the actual story is) it is not set in stone. This is just one possibility amidst a never ending sea of choices. I just had to get it off my chest to focus on other things.

“Crucio.” The one word whispered softly brought with it pain unlike anything else I've ever felt. My body tightened against its bonds and I tried to scream but all that came out was a muffled moan thanks to the gag firmly in my mouth.

Author's note~

I know it's been a long time since I've posted, and believe me it was not easy to put a pause to Holly's adventures, but I was going through a major depression when I started writing and being wrapped up in a fantasy world wasn't helping my mental health. I am doing really well now, and things have stabilized a lot. But that's enough from me, I know you're all excited to get back to the story.

"Lucius told me that he found you and Draco dueling. I hope he didn't goad you into anything." We had finished lunch and were on the veranda having tea. Draco was back on the Quidditch pitch with his dad dodging bludgers or some such.

"Not at all. Honestly, when he told me that we could use magic here I was more than excited to duel again."

"That's right, you're in the dueling club, aren't you? Quite an achievement for a first year."

If I thought Bones Manor was impressive, it doesn't even compare to Malfoy Manor. After being told what had happened and a lengthy questioning by the healer, Mrs. Bones, and Mr. Scrimgeour about the events of the day and more questions of the Malfoys when they arrived to pick me up we left the Abbott's. Instead of using the floo I was side-along apperated to the front courtyard, no doubt a blatant way to show off the grandeur of the building, which was a complete success. I was playfully scolded by Mrs.

Author's note. I know it's been a while since I've last posted an update, and I'm sorry. Believe me when I say that I would love it if I had more time to focus on writing. If nothing else, I hope I made this chapter wort the wait.

Author's note. I was hoping to have completed this in two chapters, but it looks like there will be one more (at least). This chapter does have several sexual/sex scenes, but I did my best from turning it into smut. I hope you all enjoy reading, and will stick around for the conclusion that hopefully will be forthcoming soon. ;)

There are two things I can say about myself, well there are a lot more than only two, for example I love Star Trek. Not any of the new stuff, when they started going AU, but the first four series and ten movies. I'm getting off topic. I haven't even gotten through the first paragraph and I'm already getting off topic. So what was I saying? Oh yeah, there are two things I can say about myself. First, I love magic and I'm an amateur magician. I'm not talking about spells and potions and mythical creatures, I'm talking about sleight of hand.

Author's note: There is a very pivotal event that will be occurring soon (hopefully in the next few chapters) that has the potential to change a lot of things. I am (kind of) giving you (my readers) a chance to influence how the entire story plays out. Please comment or send me a private message to cast your vote. Will this event turn Holly dark, very dark, or will she remain grey? Originally, this was going to be a dark fic, but things are shaping out very differently than my original ideas. I'm happy either way it goes, so please vote.

"In all my years of teaching I have never seen such havoc caused by a single action. I don't think that a simple detention does justice to the crime." Minerva McGonagall was clearly agitated at the seeming lack of care shown by her colleagues for the event that transpired mere hours ago.

"And what would you suggest then, expulsion?" Filius Flitwick asked. There was a moment of silence as everyone took in the words of the up til that point silent professor.

The weekend passed all too quickly which meant it was back to classes and the normal routine. It was on Wednesday during breakfast that I finally got a reply back from Flourish and Blotts, it seems that, while not a unheard of, it is a rare request that they obtain muggle books but they would be happy to assist me and to expect a list of books and prices within the next two weeks. Without any new ideas on how to get past 'Cerberus' life returned to normal.

"A lot of things don't make sense. You're gonna have to narrow it down." I said.

"Yeah. Like how they got it in there in the first place." chimed Susan.

No. I meant, why are we on the third floor?" Seeing the confused look on Susan's and my face she continued before either of us could say anything. "Shouldn't there be rooms right below us?" We all stared at each other in silence for a moment, before all coming to the same idea. Without a word we all made our way back down the corridor, towards the staircase, and down to the second floor.

When I eventually got my hand back from Susan, I was able to complete my charms assignment rather quickly. Everyone else was either already done with their homework or just finishing up, and with plenty of time before lunch I started reading the book Hermione had handed me earlier, simply titled 'Magizoology: Beasts Native To Greece'. It was a drab, factual book that seemed more concerned with the statute of secrecy than anything that could help me get past it. "Hermione, did you find any books that compare muggle mythology with actual facts?"

I ran down the stairs after the man that might be my dad, but there was no sign of him. I stopped in the middle of the archway at the bottom of the stairs, staring down an empty corridor. The tears that had started after seeing the memories were in full force now and I slumped against the wall and cried. I cried for being taken from my parents, for being lied to, for the life that should have been. 

I couldn't sleep. I kept looking at the pictures I now have of Bellatrix, and the pictures I have of Lily and James. Why do the pictures of Lily and James fill me with anger, while the picture of someone I just found fill me with joy? I can see how I resemble the Potters, but the other me looks like Bellatrix. I decided to go back to the mirror. 'I know the book said it can drive men mad, but I'm not a man. I'm a girl. If it drives women mad as well then the book would have used the word people.' I said to myself, a weak justification I know, but I didn't really care at the moment.

Author's note - I appreciate all of the comments that have been left, they make continuing this story worth it. While chronologically, there is much of the school year left, story wise it's pretty far in. While I still have a few details to work out, I pretty much have the first book plotted out. However, if anyone has ideas or things you would like to see on the future, please comment. (I am trying to keep events as close to cannon as possible, and as realistic to the existing world mechanics as possible though.) Now on to the story cause I know that's what you are here for. :)

Christmas holiday is quickly approaching. Other than that one day holding hands, nothing really changed between Susan and me over the following weeks. There were times that we spent as much time around each other as we could. We even held hands under the table in the library a few times, but there were also times that she seemed to shy away from me. It left me so confused. And I don't know who to talk to about any of it.