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WHEN the day arrived for the children to return to Hogwarts, a sullen, sulky cloud seemed to have settled over Grimmauld place.
Sirius in particular was moping around, kicking at the skirting boards and slamming doors with a little too much force. His delight at having company in his house was dying away as Harry, Liana, Ron and Hermione began to gather their belongings to return to school.
Liana stood in the kitchen with Tonks, helping the bubblegum haired witch pull several pairs of clean robes out of the washing machine when she noticed Sirius and to her surprise- Remus. Both sitting at the kitchen table at the very end, pure misery on both their faces.
"What's got your wand in a knot?" Asked Liana, abandoning Tonks to finish the laundry as she wandered over to sit next to them. Sirius glanced up darkly.
"It's not exactly fun being trapped in this God forsaken house all alone," he sighed. "Plus, I'll miss you lot," Sirius shrugged. Liana smiled in a pitying way as she folded her hands on the table to lean forwards.
"Nothing's going to happen to us Sirius, Remus. Nothing will change, we're going to be back to annoy you both before you know it," Liana said in a surprisingly gentle tone. "Just think of all the fun we can have during the Summer holidays together!'
From over beside the washing machine, Tonks smiled to herself as she folded some dress robes as carefully as the clumsy witch could. Liana had spent so long trying to isolate herself, to push away all those adults who cared for her. But it seems at last she had caved and maybe- just maybe, she had some trust in them now.
"You're a lot like your mother you know," Sirius nodded at Liana, whose eyes widened at those words. None of the adults had ever mentioned her mother unless they had to, or unless Liana had thrown a fit and was fuming to know information. But before Liana could question, Sirius had gotten to his feet with a sigh.
"I better go say goodbye to Harry then eh- and remember, I don't want a call from Dumbledore saying you two got caught having sex in a broom cupboard or something," Sirius winked at Liana as he ruffled her hair and brushed past her to leave upstairs. Liana flushed a deep shade of red and tried to cover her scarlet cheeks with her hands casually.
"I ought to go and say goodbye as well," Remus sighed and he stood from his chair. "Be a good girl at school Liana. Maybe drop me a letter every once in while?" He asked hopefully as he twiddled his fingers. Remus had no idea what a father was supposed to say to his daughter going back to school, he hardly had any experience in this unfamiliar realm of parenting.
"Okay," nodded Liana with a smile. "See you Remus." With an ounce of hesitation and a slight flash of fear in Liana's eyes she opened her arms and glanced up at Remus. Remus couldn't help but beam as he wrapped Liana up into a warm hug, squeezing her tightly, trying to communicate all the things he wished he had the words to say.
In the back, as Tonks struggled to yank a pair of trousers out the washing machine, she smiled to herself and when she was sure no one was watching her, she did a quick air punch.
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LIANA was grateful that the her and the tribes of others were going back to Hogwarts using floo power. She didn't think she could stand another long tedious discussion with Sirius about whether he could come with them to Kingscross or not.
Liana took her handful of sparkling black powder and chuckled it at her feet, saying very clearly and loudly:
"Dumbledore's office, Hogwarts"
One second she was standing in the living room of Grimmauld place, the next she was spinning around and around, her eyes becoming blurred from the various fireplaces that flashed before her eyes. She tightened her grip on her trunk as at last she toppled rather messily into Dumbledore's office.
Fred and George helped her get to her feet again as she brushed down the soot covering her robes.
"That went smoothly," George snorted as he rubbed the tip of Liana's nose where she had a long streak of soot.
"Shut up," Liana chuckled as she shoved George in the side. She and the twins watched with amusement as Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Harry all proceeded to fall through the fireplace into the office. Liana couldn't help but burst out laughing as Harry came crashing through. He clearly hadn't improved his floo travel since his second year antics and he came tumbling into the grate with an awful lot of soot and smoke.
"Please head back to your dormitories, your lessons for the Spring term will resume tomorrow along with the return of the other students at Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall told them as she strode over to open the office door and usher Ginny, Fred and George down the gargoyle stairs. However as Liana made a move to follow, Professor McGonagall closed the door.
Liana looked up questioningly and Professor McGonagall sighed and folder her wrinkled hands together. Liana frowned as she noticed how tired Professor McGonagall looked, despite the witch being rather elderly she always had a vibrancy about her. But now there were dark purple circles beneath her eyes and a sad twinkle in them as she glanced down at Liana.
"I wanted a word with you four," she began and Liana frowned. The term hadn't even started yet, it wasn't possible that the famous four could be in trouble already, could it?
"This year has already been filled with difficulties, as we know-" McGonagall cast an eye towards Harry and Liana, who both looked at the ground, the reminder of the night they had left school replaying in each of their brains.
"But I have a feeling that this is only the beginning of the troubles you four will be plagued with. So I thought I'd remind you of your morals, of why you were placed in the noble house of Gryffindor."
Ron coughed as he edged on his feet, feeling slightly out of place, "no offense Professor, but I'm pretty sure the only reason I'm in Gryffindor is because of my brothers-" Ron began, sounding slightly nervous under McGonagall's intense stare. Professor McGonagall shook her head firmly.
"Mr Weasley, the sorting hat does not take families into account. The decision is based on your qualities. In each of you the sorting hat saw traits that Gryffindor values dearest. It saw bravery, courage, love and passion." She looked from face to face, taking in each expression. Ron looked confused, Hermione slightly intrigued as she raised an eyebrow, Harry had a rather dark expression of thought upon his face and Liana- Liana's face was entirely unreadable as she made unwavering eye contact with McGonagall.
"In times like these I hope you remember that you all have those qualities within you, and to not let any ounce of darkness or uncertainty overshadow them. On that note-"
She pulled the door open once again:
"Enjoy the beginning of the term."
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AN
I'm sorry this chapter is late, although you're all probably used to my terrible schedule of uploads by now. I've been having yet more family difficulties, which unfortunately are priority for me currently. This chapter was supposed to be uploaded a month ago but due to my personal life I was unable to fully finish it for a while. On a more positive note I have to say a massive thanks for the love I've been given on Wattpad, I returned to over 3k notifications and I promise I will try and reply to comments and messages soon!
Next upload coming in the week or maybe even sooner!!❤️stay tuned!
I hope you're all staying safe and well
Xoxo