AN: Hello people. I am not dead. I've just had a lot going on so I had no time to write and I have been having problems trying to figure out where to take this story. I wrote this chapter six times and it's finally good enough to upload. I have not given up on any of my stories I'm just slow because I don't have as much time as I'd like to write.

The Christmas break was going great for Fancy. She spent a lot of time with Severus and he seemed to genuinely enjoy having her around again. She was thinking about confiding in him about Haley but knew he was just as determined in the search as Lily and the Marauders were.

Fancy was on her way to one of her meetings with Severus when she overheard a conversation that made her stop in her tracks.

"…miss Haley. I know we told her we understand and I do! It's just that I wish I could see her every once in a while just to know she's okay."

"Calm down, Lily, we'll see her at the second task."

"But James, she's only fourteen! The next task could very well kill her! I just wish she'd let us know she was okay."

After Fancy's visit with Snape she did a lot of soul searching changed into her school uniform, save the tie and robe so no one would know her house and headed for the muggle studies classroom.

It had always been hard to enter the room after that night and she was grateful that she didn't actually take muggle studies and didn't need to spend much time in there. But it was Lily's classroom and she could hear her and James talking in it still. Haley popped her head in to see if they were alone. They were so Haley removed her, ever so useful, notice me not charm and stood in the classroom doorway until someone noticed.

"…children get back from the break I'm going to have a load of essays to mar-Haley!" Lily said spotting her daughter in the doorway.

"Um… hi," Haley said sounding a lot like Lily had at the ball.

"You're here," James stated in shock.

"Um… yeah… I guess I am," Haley said nervously. "I… I can… you know… leave if you w…"

James cut her off, "No! No stay! I just didn't expect you come here is all."

"Why did you come? Not that we're not happy you did, we just thought you didn't want to see us," Lily stated.

"Um… actually… I have no idea," Haley said shifting uncomfortably.

"Well, why don't you come sit down?" James offered.

Haley did but she sat a few seats away from them which James and Lily didn't mind as much as they thought they would. She came. That's all that mattered.

James and Lily took their seats making sure to give Haley her space.

"Is there anything you wanted to talk about?" Lily asked.

Haley shrugged and quietly said, "I don't even know what caused me to come here."

"Well, we're glad you did none the less," Lily said smiling.

"How are you doing?" James asked.

"I'm alright, now," Haley said.

"Are… Are you frightened of us Haley?" James asked fearing the answer.

Haley thought about the question for longer than Lily and James would have liked but she finally answered, "I don't think so. I… I am scared b-but… I don't think it's you I'm afraid of."

"Do you have… you know… another family?" Lily asked.

Haley just sat there silent.

"It's alright if you do Haley," James said meaning every word even though it broke his heart. "You were taken away from us at a young age. If someone took you in, we would be very appreciative, not angry."

Haley felt her eyes fill up with tears. After all these years… She thought James and Lily would hate Cleo and that Cleo would hate her if she went back to James and Lily. Now it seemed like they all would just want her to be happy. It still hurt to think about Cleo. Even though it had been about five years she would always be her mom.

"It's complicated," was her answer finally.

"They were nice to you though, right?" Lily asked unsurely.

Haley wiped away a tear as she nodded her head, "The best."

Lily gave her a sad smile, "Good."

"Hey Prongs!" a voice called before entering the classroom.

Sirius and Remus stopped in their tracks when they saw Haley. "Whoa! Sorry! Didn't mean to interrupt."

"It's fine, Professor. I should probably get going anyways. Other me promised to meet a friend five minutes ago," Haley said before turning to her parents. "I'll see you later?"

Lily nodded, "Come whenever you want."

Haley gave Remus and Sirius a small smile before rushing out of the classroom.

"So… are we gonna follow her?" Sirius asked.

James shook his head, "No. She came here. On her own. We must be doing something right. I don't want to jeopardize our new relationship just to learn her second identity. If it means she'll be in our lives more I'd prefer not knowing."

"Why was she here?" Remus asked concerned.

Lily smiled, "Just to visit. We just talked."

"She came to you… to talk?" Sirius said stunned.

James and Lily nodded.

"Good call on not following her," Remus said, "This is good."

888

School had started again and everyone was getting back into their routines after the holiday.

Fancy, Neville, and Hermione were working hard on trying to figure out the egg. They had been working on it in the bathroom and thanked Merlin that they put a silencing charm on the door.

"That screech sounds familiar…" Neville said. "Where have I heard that noise before?"

Fancy shrugged.

"I think I know," Myrtle spoke up.

"Lay it on us Myrtle," Fancy smiled at her ghost friend.

"Whenever someone flushes my toilet I end up in the Black Lake. Occasionally I'll swim around for a bit. That screech sounds like Mermish."

"Myrtle's right! That is Mermish!"

"Great but how do I translate it?"

Hermione shook her head, "You don't have to. Just listen to the egg underwater." Hermione transfigured her ring into a large basin and filled it with a water spell.

Fancy ducked her head under the water with the egg and listened to the song.

'Come seek us where our voices sound,

We cannot sing above the ground,

And while you're searching ponder this;

We've taken what you'll sorely miss,

An hour long you'll have to look,

And to recover what we took,

But past an hour, the prospect's black,

Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.'

Fancy pulled out of the water and, after Hermione dried her off, recited the riddle.

"Well, that means you need to find something in the lake and you have an hour to do it."

"Brilliant, just one problem, I can't swim… or breath under water!"

Neville put an arm around Fancy. "Well, I guess you're lucky I like you. I know a plant that will allow you to grow gills and swim and breathe like a fish."

888

The three trained together and the second challenge arrived very quickly. Haley found herself in the bathroom getting ready with Neville when Fred came up to them.

"Guys have you seen George. I haven't seen him all day."

"Actually we were wondering if you've seen Hermione," Neville said confused.

Haley's eyes went wide. "Oh my god!"

"What?"

"We've taken what you'll sorely miss,

An hour long you'll have to look,

And to recover what we took,

But past an hour, the prospect's black,

Too late, it's gone, it won't come back," Haley recited.

"You don't think…"

"They took George because he was my escort and they don't know anyone else I'm close too. They took Hermione because she's Krum's girlfriend!"

"Oh god! Fancy you have to get them back!" Fred panicked.

"Don't worry. I won't leave anyone behind," Haley stated firmly before adding her handy charm and heading to the lake.

She took off her notice me not charm when she found Lily and James waiting in the doorway.

"Haley!" Lily said hurrying to her side.

"Are you ready?" James questioned nervously.

Haley nodded still scared for George and Hermione.

"You figured out the clue?" Lily asked.

"Yeah, me and… some friends figured it out weeks ago. We've been practicing with Gillyweed on the weekends."

James nodded approvingly. "Yes that is a good choice for this challenge."

The three began to walk to the lake when there were stopped by a blond in their tracks.

"Rita, leave our daughter alone so we can get her to the challenge," Lily growled.

"Oh I was just hoping she would give me a quote for the article I'm writing." The way Rita was smiling made them all nervous.

"Article?" Haley asked nervously.

"Yes, you see I was just wondering where you got the Polyjuice potion."

"Polyjuice? What are you talking about? She is the real Haley!" Lily glared.

"I know she is. However at the ball she had her friend Ms. Ginerva Weasley drink Polyjuice potion and go as Haley's… other identity."

"Ginny? Rita, talk some sense, will you? Besides you were kicked out of the ball," James rolled his eyes and pushed passed her. But she followed behind.

"True but I overheard a conversation in the girl's loo that may surprise you."

Haley's eyes bulged.

"No! You-you can't! Please! I'll do anything!" Haley begged.

"Sorry Haley," Rita smirked. "This story will make headlines. I even went to your old… home and interviewed a few people that knew you best. I'm actually writing a book. Heartbreaking story." With that Rita gave an evil grin and walked away.

"Haley?" James kneeled in front of her.

"I…" she choked backing away from them. "I have to go!" She ran towards the lake as quickly as possible.

Haley only stopped running when she fell to the ground after running directly into someone.

"S-sorry!" she stuttered standing up.

"It's no problem, Ms. Potter," she heard the calm voice of Professor McGonagall. "Shall we share a boat?"

Haley just nodded shyly and walked to the boats with the animagus.

When they settled in for the ride Minerva asked, "Is there a reason you almost tackled an old lady?"

"Sorry. I just… I needed to get away from James and Lily."

"Why?"

"Rita Skeeter… She knows who I am. She's planning on telling everyone. She's even writing a book. I'm not ready!"

The professor nodded understandingly. "I get that Haley but you have to know that James and Lily would accept you no matter what. They love you and want you to be a part of their lives."

"I know… I am trying. I went to see them but… It's not the same. I know they're supposed to be my parents but it just doesn't feel like it yet."

"That will take time," Minerva nodded.

Haley sighed as the boat arrived, "Time that I'm not gonna get."

She climbed out of the boat and offered Minerva a hand out as well before joining the other Champions.

"Haley," Viktor greeted her with a kiss on each cheek. "I assume you are ready for today." He leaned in and whispered, "Her-my-oh-knee told me after you vound out."

Haley only nodded.

"Ez zomesing wrong?" Fleur questioned Haley.

"I'll be fine, thanks. Good luck today. Both of you."

With that the three lined up and Haley pulled out her package of Gillyweed. Dumbledore made the announcements and Haley shoved half of the slimy plant into her mouth and put the rest into her pocket. She had brought extra just in case. It had taken her a few times to get used to the taste so she didn't choke as she swallowed.

With that the signal was given and the three champions jumped in the lake. She saw Fleur put an air bubble around her head like an air pocket. Viktor swam off with a shark's head. Haley began to swim towards where she knew the mermaids lived when she noticed Krum going the opposite direction which she didn't really care about. Her problem was with Fleur. She was heading directly to a nest of Grindilow.

Haley swam as fast as she could in her gills would take her. She thought she was going to make it when the first Grindilow grabbed Fleur and pulled her down. Haley pulled out her wand and sent a Revulsion Jinx. Several more came out and attacked Fleur but Haley continued to fight until the Grindilows turned to her. In an instant they forgot the injured Fleur and rushed at Haley.

Fleur who had received a large slash in her arm swam one handed to the surface. "Help! HELP!"

The female screams got the attention of everyone.

"Who is it?! James! Who is it?!"

"I can't tell."

They watched in horror as the hand that was waving disappeared underwater. A rescue boat was quickly on sight and somehow managed to rescue the girl. They brought the distraught girl back to shore.

Everyone crowded around as Madam Pomphery tried to calm Fleur down enough to heal her.

"NO! You're not listening! It's Haley! You need to help her!" Fleur shouted.

"What's wrong with Haley?!" James asked cutting through the crowd sharply.

"Zhe ez 'till down 'ere! Zhe zaved me from zee Grindilowz! But zey attacked 'er instead!"

A moment of silence was broken by Krum surfacing with Hermione in his arms. They were helped to shore.

"Viktor did you see Haley down there?" Albus asked as soon as they made it back.

"No. I 'ave not zeen Haley 'ince we left."

"What's wrong with Haley, Headmaster?" Hermione asked while ignoring Minerva whom was trying to wrap her in a towel.

"Zhe zaved my life!" Fleur told her. "Oh and me zizter! Zhe'z ztill down zere as well." Fleur's accent was hard to understand in her state of panic.

Just then they heard a shout from the water. They all turned to see George helping Gabrielle out of the water.

"Where's Haley?!" Lily shouted seeing the two. She had to have been the one to save them but she was nowhere in sight.

A rescue boat brought the two to shore.

"Where's Haley?" Lily asked them frantically.

"I have no idea Mrs. Potter. I only saw Gabrielle when I woke up," George told her looking equally as worried.

"I'm right here!"

They looked over the edge of the dock to see Haley was holding on to the dock with one hand while the other was holding her bloody shoulder.

Severus, Sirius, and James dived into the lake to support the girl. She released the deck and fell into her father's arms. The three hoisted the small, exhausted girl onto the deck while Lily and Remus pulled from the top all being careful to avoid her injured arm.

When Haley was successfully on the dock Madam Pomphery was at her side immediately.

"What happened?" Minerva asked.

"Well, after Fleur was safe I was able to escape the Grindilow by using a large Reducto Curse. And I continued because I knew that Fleur wasn't going to be able to get her person and I needed to rescue George still. Plus I had no idea what happened to Viktor so Hermione could have been in danger as well," Haley stopped to drink a blood replenishing potion. She handed the empty vial back before continuing. "When I found them the merpeople said that I could only take one with me but I couldn't leave Gabrielle knowing Fleur couldn't come. We got into a bit of a fight. Nothing serious but its trident accidently made a small cut on my shoulder."

"Haley, this is no 'small cut,'" Madam Pomphery argued.

"I know once I freed them both and was helping them to the surface my blood attracted the attention of another pack of Grindilows. I pushed George and Gabrielle to the surface and realized I was having problems breathing. I hardly had enough time to put a small piece of Gillyweed in my mouth before they were on me. I was able to outswim them for a while but they eventually caught up to me and went straight for my shoulder because all the swimming and salt water where making it worse. I fought back and eventually lost them in the seaweed."

By the end of her tale her arm was fixed aside from the small scar.

Lily wrapped Haley in a blanket and Hermione gave her a huge hug. "I should get going though." Haley said still unable to look at Lily.

The newly healed Haley quickly jumped into a boat but was followed in by James and Lily before it began to move. It started going back to shore before she could get out.

"Haley, you can't just keep running from us," Lily said with a shaky voice.

"We're doing everything we can to form some kind of relationship…" James started but was cut off.

Haley shook her head and said, "But I don't want one. I… I had a mom. And she loved me."

Lily's heart broke at the words. Not only because she had been replaced. She had already guessed as much. It was the fact that Haley spoke in the past-tense. I HAD a mom. She LOVED me.

"Haley, we would never try to destroy the relationship you have with your mother," James tried to explain. "We just can't stand not being there for you like she is."

"We would also prefer to hear about your life from you instead of read about it in Skeeter's book."

The boat arrived too shore and Haley was the first to climb out of the boat. "Um… Look… I'll see you later. I just… I need time to think." With that Haley hurried off without looking back.