A/N: Essentially, what you recognize belongs to the goddess that is J.K. Rowling, and what you don't belongs to insignificant little me.

I did forget to include a detail in the original chapter fifteen that I thought you guys should know, so if you'd like to go back and read it, you can now. It's not essential to the story, but it does explain something.

•~0~•

Genevieve walked into the abandoned girls bathroom and sat down.

"Hello, Myrtle," she said with about as much enthusiasm as Myrtle was usually known for.

The ghost came out of her U-bend, glaring at her.

"Hello," she said coolly, "I see you're a little down today. Is it because you felt obligated to see me one last time before you went off forever and happily forgot about me?"

"Wha — no!" Genevieve almost smiled. "I've had a bad week, is all. A really bad one. But actually, you brought up an event that was probably the highlight of it: I'm not leaving. I'm coming back."

Myrtle scoffed. "You expect me to believe that? You're quite known for being the smartest witch in the school. You can't've possibly failed a year."

"You're right, I didn't." Genevieve paused. "At least I hope I didn't. But that's not what I was talking about."

"So what were you, then?" Myrtle asked, seeming interested now. "Go on, spit it out."

Genevieve grinned. "Okay, you're the first person I've told, but I've been hired here. I'm going to help teach at Hogwarts!"

"What d'you mean?"

"Well, Professor McGonagall has offered to take me on. She's going to be a kind of mentor to me. I'm not leaving yet, probably not for at least a couple more years."

Myrtle smiled. "Celebratory crossword, then?"

Genevieve pulled out a thick book. "Definitely."

•~0~•

Genevieve stood with the rest in her year, quite as anxious as she had been before her Sorting. McGonagall was, once again, calling up their names in alphabetical order. Finally —

"Snow, Genevieve!"

Genevieve took a deep breath before approaching her Head of House. McGonagall smiled as she handed her an envelope.

"It has truly been a pleasure teaching you these past seven years, Genevieve, and I look forward to working with you next year."

Genevieve returned the smile. "It's been a pleasure learning from you, Professor. I can't wait to continue doing it."

As she walked away, she opened her N.E.W.T. results.

NASTILY EXHAUSTING WIZARDING TEST RESULTS

Pass Grades:

Outstanding (O)

Exceeds Expectations (E)

Acceptable (A)

Fail Grades:

Poor (P)

Dreadful (D)

Troll (T)

GENEVIEVE ELIZABETH SNOW HAS ACHIEVED

Care of Magical Creatures: O

Charms: O

Defense Against the Dark Arts: O

Herbology: O

Potions: O

Study of Ancient Runes: O

Transfiguration: O

Genevieve smiled. Perfect scores.

When everyone had received their results, Genevieve stood up to address them.

"Hello," she started. "Well, here we are, we've been through seven years together, and we've all learned loads. Some of those lessons have been curriculum-related, and some have taught us about life itself. We've learned, and we keep learning. Such is life.

"There's a war coming. Voldemort" — several of her classmates and even teachers flinched — "is back, and we're going out into a world in which, realistically, not everyone can survive, as much as we want them to. This world will be riddled with loss and devastation and death. Everyone will be touched in some way.

"But we mustn't let that stop us. We're going out into a darkened world, and I believe that it's our responsibility to bring some light. Cherish your loved ones, appreciate every moment," Genevieve wiped her eyes, "and, perhaps most importantly, find the good, and told tight to it. Laugh. Smile. Cry. If we are overcome with emotion, it means we can feel emotion. The future belongs to the changers, so what are we going to change?

"So, fellow graduates, I hope that we can all move forward, forward into a dangerous world, but forward nonetheless. Every step, every moment matters, and we have not gone through seven straight years of stress — er, sorry, Professors — " There were titters. Genevieve looked to the Heads and Dumbledore, all of whom simply waited for her next words, "— to wallow around and wait for devastation to come find us. We must act. We must be brave and smart and loyal and ambitious. We mustn't let our differences divide us. We must stand united. Let's make Hogwarts proud."

With one final cheer, they clambered into the boats they had ridden seven years ago and glided away. Genevieve turned to Lee, with whom she was sharing a boat.

"Merlin, these seem so much smaller than I remember," Genevieve said reminiscently.

Lee laughed. "Yeah, I knew they would be, but blimey, we must've been titchy!"

"So what are you planning on doing this summer?"

"Not entirely sure. But I know one place where we'll both be spending a lot of time — "

"Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes," they chorused.

"Merlin, Gen," Lee said after a short silence, "your speech back there was quite — "

"— sappy?" Genevieve supplied, grinning.

"Well, yes," Lee admitted. "But true."

They boarded the train, where Katie was already waiting for them.

"Fred, George, you two. I can't believe none of you are going to be here next year," she said gloomily.

"Well," Genevieve said. They looked at her. "I haven't told anyone but Myrtle yet, and the staff know, of course, but I'll be back next year. I'm going to be teaching with McGonagall."

Their eyes widened. Katie smacked her.

"Why didn't you tell me that?"

"My dad doesn't even know yet!" Genevieve said defensively. "I only told Myrtle because I could tell she was on the verge of flooding the bathroom again, and Filch hates me enough as it is."

"Fair point," Katie said, leaning back again. "But we won't be able to see each other often; I'll have N.E.W.T.s, and you're not going to be allowed to skive off anything if you wanted to visit me. Not that you ever did anyway," she added.

"I hadn't thought about that," Genevieve said. "Same place, different life."

"Then let's make the most of the time we've got," Lee proposed. "Exploding Snap?"

They played until the train slowed to a stop. Genevieve dragged her trunk and crossed the barrier.

She was immediately taken aback. Her father, Moody, Lupin, Tonks, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Fred, and George were waiting on the other side.

"Oh hello, Genevieve!" Mrs. Weasley hugged her so tightly she nearly suffocated.

"What're the lot of you doing here?" Genevieve asked, pleasantly surprised, as Fred and George nearly tackled her.

The twins smirked. "Thought we'd see you back from school."

Genevieve's eyes narrowed. "And what are you wearing?"

They were both dressed in jackets of suspiciously scaly green material. They also looked suddenly nervous.

"Er — dragon skin," George confessed sheepishly.

"And why, heaven forbid, would you find the need buy something made from the skin of a dragon?"

"Because business is booming, and treating ourselves seemed like the thing to do," Fred said defiantly. He shrank slightly as Genevieve's eyebrows raised. "Just please don't tell Charlie."

Genevieve laughed. She turned to Lupin. Sure, Genevieve had lost family, but he had lost the last of his best mates, a fellow Marauder.

"How're you doing, Genevieve?" he asked gently.

"I feel like I should be asking you that question," she said back.

"And I think we'd both be telling lies if we bothered to answer it," Lupin finished.

Genevieve smiled weakly. He pulled her into a hug.

"You're strong," he told her reassuringly.

"As are you," she replied.

When Genevieve stepped back, Tonks approached her. "Wotcher, Genevieve," she greeted. "I don't reckon you know this, but I was related to Sirius too, and my mother was also an outcast of the family. Disowned." Tonks shrugged. "So I guess that means we're related."

"Think clumsiness is a family trait?" Genevieve joked.

"Maybe just for us," Tonks answered, smiling.

They laughed.

Moody limped up to her, a bowler hat covering his magical eye. He cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry about Sirius," he said. "But just know your mother was nothing like the rest of that family. Bit like Sirius, actually, though much brighter."

Genevieve nodded. She smiled. "I know."

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had gotten through by now.

"Ron, Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley hugged them. "Oh, and Harry dear — how are you?"

"Fine," he said a bit unenthusiastically as she hugged him too.

Ron stared, wide-eyed, at the twins.

"What are they supposed to be?" He pointed to the jackets.

"Finest dragon skin, little bro," Fred ignored the dirty look Genevieve shot him. "Business is booming and we thought we'd treat ourselves."

"Hello, Harry," Lupin greeted.

"Hi. I didn't expect . . . what are you all doing here?"

"Well," Lupin almost smirked, "we thought we might have a little chat with your aunt and uncle before letting them take you home."

"I dunno if that's a good idea," Harry said warily.

"Oh, I think it is," Moody said. "That'll be them, will it, Potter?"

Her father stepped forward, but Genevieve held up her hand.

"I've got this," she told him.

Genevieve followed Moody and Mr. Weasley over to the Dursleys.

"Good afternoon," Mr. Weasley greeted cheerfully. "You might remember me, my name's Arthur Weasley."

"And me, Genevieve Snow," she offered. "We met on the same day."

They glowered at them, most likely remembering that day. Mr. Weasley had blown up their fireplace.

"We though we'd just have a few words with you about Harry," Mr. Weasley continued.

"Yeah," Moody said in his usual threatening voice. "About how he's treated when he's at your place."

Mr. Dursley bristled. "I am not aware that it is any of your business what goes on in my house — "

"I expect what you're not aware of would fill several books, Dursley," Moody interrupted impatiently.

"Anyway, that's not the point," Tonks said, steering the conversation back. "The point is, if we find out you've been horrible to Harry — "

"— and make no mistake, we'll hear about it," Lupin assured them.

"Yes," Mr. Weasley said confidently, "even if you won't let Harry use the fellytone — "

"Telephone," Genevieve and Hermione corrected.

"Yeah, if we get any hint that Potter's been mistreated in any way, you'll have us to answer to," Moody continued.

Mr. Dursley swelled up. "Are you threatening me, sir?"

"Bing, bing, bing, you got one right," Genevieve said pleasantly.

"Yes, I am," Moody said.

This seemed to offend him even more. "And do I look like the kind of man what can be intimidated?"

"Well . . ." Moody pushed back his bowler hat. The magical eye focused on Mr. Dursley, who retreated at the sight of it. Genevieve snorted. "Yes, I'd have to say you do, Dursley."

Moody addressed Harry. "So, Potter . . . give us a shout if you need us. If we don't hear from you for three days in a row, we'll send someone along . . ."

The very notion seemed to traumatize Mrs. Dursley.

" 'Bye, then, Potter."

"Take care, Harry," Lupin said. "Keep in touch."

"I'll send you some Honeydukes chocolate just as soon as I can," Genevieve whispered in his ear.

Mr. Weasley said something to Harry as well while he hugged him.

"We'll see you soon, mate," Ron said.

"Really soon, Harry," Hermione vowed. "We promise."

Harry nodded.

As he left, Genevieve walked back over to her father.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, looking her right in the eye.

"No," Genevieve said. "Not yet. Let's go home, Dad."