The next day, I met up with Harry so we could see how Professor Lupin was after everything that had happened. But I also wanted to see how Harry was, in one night he had found the family he never knew he had and lost them. He has been through so much and I was worried he was going to break one day from all the pressure.
"So, how are you feeling after everything that happened last night," I asked him as we walked up the grand staircase.
"I don't know. The whole thing almost feels like a dream, like he never existed," Harry sighed.
"I know, but he does exist and he's only and owl away if you want to talk to him," I remined him.
"For a moment, I was happy. I thought I was finally going to leave the Dursley's forever. I should never have got my hopes up."
"Hey, you might not be able to move away from the Dursley's completely. But there is always a room with your name on it at the Avengers complex."
"You really mean that, Elsa?"
"I do and if you don't believe me, you can ask Dad tomorrow at platform 9 and 3/4."
When we reached the open door to Professor Lupins classroom, we just stood there for a second not knowing what to do.
"So, do we knock or just walk in," Harry asked me.
"I don't know. I don't want to barge in on him but I guess the door is open," I shrugged, walking into the room quietly.
The door to Professor Lupin's office was also open and inside Professor Lupin stood over a large battered looking trunk, packing away books.
"Hello Harry, Elsa," he said without even turning around to see who was behind him.
"How did you know it was us?" I asked as I walked further in to his office.
"Saw you coming," he told us as he turned around, smiling and pointing to the map on his desk as we looked at how haggard he looked. "I've looked worse, believe me."
"So, this is the mythical Marauders Map," I said walking over to his desk and picking up the worn parchment, not wanting Professor Lupin to feel uncomfortable about how worn out he looked.
"You have heard of it before?" Professor Lupin asked.
"This little bit of parchment has been the most important part of Fred and George's pranks since first year," I laughed as I looked at the parchment.
"This map in their hands must have caused hell for Filch," Professor Lupin commented.
"Oh, you have no idea," I told him as I took a closer look at the map. "Wait, it that Loki pacing in his rooms?"
"If the map says so, then yes. And you may want to visit him next. He's a little worried about you after your adventures," he told me, as I cringed thinking about how I hadn't checked in with Loki yet.
"You've been sacked," Harry said as he looked around the room at the half-packed luggage.
"Resigned, actually," Professor Lupin corrected him.
"Resigned! But why!" Harry asked in outraged voice.
"I think I know why," I said sadly.
"And you are most likely correct, Elsa. It seems that someone has let slip the nature of my condition," Professor Lupin sighed.
"Snape," Harry said bitterly.
"Whoever. It was bound to get out. This time tomorrow, the owls will start arriving. Parents will not want a, someone like me, teaching their children."
"But Dumbledore...," Harry began to say but Professor Lupin already knew how to answer the question Harry didn't finish.
"Has already risked enough on my behalf. Besides, people like me, well...let's say I'm used to this by now."
"You know, I have been living in this world for five years now and I still don't understand the way of thinking some witches and wizards have. I mean, sure you're a werewolf. So, what. Bruce Banner is the Hulk and he can change if he gets too angry but people still trust him, see him as a hero. But you change once a month and have a potion to help you but you're a villain. It's just wrong," I say in a huff as I crossed my arms.
"The muggle world is far more advanced in its way of thinking, I'm afraid. Even if some won't admit it," Professor Lupin explained. "Now before I go, tell me about your Patronus, Harry."
"Well, at first I thought it was a horse, or perhaps a unicorn, but I think it was," Harry said, trying to find the word to describe his Patronus.
"A stag," Professor Lupin said.
"Yes."
"Your father used to transform into one. That's how he was able to keep me company when I became...sick. He was a good friend, James," Professor Lupin say, getting lost in the memories of his friend. "There are a lot of stories about him and your mother, you know. Some are even true. But I think it's safe to say, in the end, you'll know them best by getting to know yourself."
"From what I've heard from people about Harry's parent, I think you're right Professor," I said, smiling at Harry.
"Why do you look so miserable, Harry," Professor Lupin asked, thinking Harry would be happier after finding out how much he was like his parents.
"None of it made any difference. Pettigrew escaped," Harry said in a dejected voice.
"Oh, Harry. Don't think like that, we did make a difference," I said as I pulled him in for a hug.
"She's right, Harry. It made all the difference in the world. You have uncovered the truth. You saved an innocent man from a terrible fate. It made a great deal of difference. If I am proud of anything, it is of how much you have learned this year," Professor Lupin told me as he glanced over at the map. "Now, since I am no longer your teacher, I feel no guilt whatsoever giving this back to you. So now I'll say goodbye, Harry, Elsa. I feel sure we'll meet again sometime. Until then... mischief managed."
"Do you have any idea how worried I was about you last night! First, I find out that you have been yelling at the minister of magic, then that you have chased after a werewolf to save a convicted mass murder and finally you are attacked by a group of dementors," Loki yelled as he paced the floor of his office. "Oh, but no. It doesn't end there! You decided to go back in time and go it all again! What would I have told your father if something had happened to you! Do you have any idea what it would have done to him if you had died or worse, if the dementors had sucked your sole out! And let's not even talk about the fact that three students know your Asgardian!"
I didn't know what to say to him when he finished his rant, I had never seen him this angry before. I didn't want to say anything to make him any angrier than he already was but saying nothing seemed to making things worse as well.
"So, what do you have to say for yourself, young lady," he asked me, with his hands on his hips.
"I'm sorry, but I couldn't just sit by and let people I care about get hurt," I said in a defeated voice.
"I know that, Elsa. But next time you decided risk your life, get me first," he sighed, making me laugh. "What in the nine realms is so funny?"
"Nothing, it's just that I said the exact same thing to Harry last year," I told him.
"Do you think we're ever going to have a quite year at this school," Loki asked me as he sat down next to me.
"For some strange reason, I don't think we will."
I had never been happier to see the Hogwarts Express in my life. This had been one of the most stressful school years of my life and I was more than happy to say goodbye to it. The night before I packed my bag in record time and was counting the seconds until I could see Dad again. Cedric and I had already organised to when we were going to see each other during the summer holidays and I was working on a way to surprise Harry with a trip to the Avengers complex. There was no way I was going to let him stay with the Dursleys all summer long, that would be a fate worse than death.
Because of our little adventure, Cedric and I had been excused from prefect duties which I had absolute no problem with. It just meant that I could spend more time with my friends before having to say goodbye for three months.
"I can't wait to get home. It's been way too long since I have updated my suit. I bet Dad has updated his suit, like a hundred times, even though he is technically retired from the Avengers," Cassy said as she rested her feet on Lee's shoulders, where he was sitting in front of her.
"Yeah, or you can't wait to see Harley," George teased.
"Hey, Spangles! You said you wouldn't anything!" Cassy yelled at me, scaring Freya who was asleep on my lap.
"I didn't! I swear!" I told her honestly.
"Pretty boy, was it you?" she asked Cedric suspiciously.
"I don't even know the guy," Cedric told her.
"Then how did dumb and dumber find out?" she asked, pointing at Fred and George.
"You are so going to pay for that one," Danny laughed as the twins looked at Cassy with a mischievous smile on their faces.
"He's right you know," Fred said.
"We we're going to tell you. But know you will have to sit and stew about how we found out and," George said.
"Wonder when we will strike," Fred finished.
"You have no one to blame but yourself for this one," Hamish said, trying not to laugh at Cassy's outraged look.
And this is what made everything sacrifice, every struggle, every heartache worth it. Being able to sit and laugh with my friends. We may argue and we may squabble but at the end of the day we were there for each other no matter what and to the end of the line.
"DAD! I missed you so much," I yelled when I saw him stand on the platform in his old leather jacket.
"I missed you too, Princess," he laughed as he picked me up to hug me. "Now, how was school this year?"
"Trust me when I say it's a long story," I told him when he put me back on the ground.
"She's right, Captain Rogers. It's been a crazy year," Cedric confirmed to him.
"How many times do I have to tell you, call me Steve. Captain Rogers sounds so formal," Dad told him, but I knew Cedric would fall back on his old habits no matter how many times Dad reminded him.
"Now, you are going to come and visit us during the summer holidays. And I mean both of you," Cedric's mum said as she walked over to us.
While Dad and Mrs. Diggory discussed our summer plans, I noticed Harry waving me over to him. I quickly excused myself and went over to the boy I saw as my little brother.
"Everything okay, Harry?" I asked him.
"Yeah, I just have a letter from our friend snuffles for you," he said handing me a envelope.
"Snuffles, who's..." I began to ask until I saw the paw print on the front of the envelope. "You know what never, mind."
"I'm going to miss you, Elsa," Harry said as he threw his arms around me.
"I'm going to miss you too. But we will see each other again before you know it," I told him.
"Promise?" he asked.
"On my life. Now, Mrs. Weasley is trying to get your attention. You should go say hello to her and I'm going to read the letter from snuffles," I told him.
"Bye, Elsa. And thank you for every you did for me and snuffles."
"You're family, Harry. I would do anything for you. Now, go say goodbye to your friends. Take care of yourself and hopefully we will see each other before we know it."
After I watched Harry walk over to the Weasley's, I duck into an alcove and read the letter from snuffles.
Dearest Elsa,
Words cannot describe how thankful I am for what you have done for me but more importantly, Harry. I will always regret the choices I made that ended up separating me from my godson but I feel more comfortable knowing he has someone like you watching over him.
I have a terrible feeling that things are going to get worse from here on out, so if you ever need me just send me message. Hedwig will always be able to find me, no matter where in the world I am. Keep a close eye on Harry for me and let me know if you feel like he is keeping something from me. I have a feeling his like his mother in that way, never wanting to worry other people with his problems.
I still don't know how you believed in me so quickly, but I have a feeling it's because of the man I remind you of. Something in your eyes that night told me that you weren't able to save him the way that you helped save me. But don't worry, I know you will be able to save him one day.
You truly are a superhero and I feel honored to have met you.
Sincerely,
Snuffles.
After reading Sirius' letter, I had to take a few moments to compose myself. I was so touched by the kind words that he wrote that they had brought tears to my eyes. After a few seconds, I wiped away the tears and walked back out to Dad who was still talking to Mrs. Diggory and Cedric.
"Are you okay?" Cedric asked me.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Harry just gave letter from a friend of ours that was one of the nicest things I have ever read."
"Who was it from?" Cedric asked as I handed him the envelope with the paw print on it.
"Snuffles. It was from Snuffles."