𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 \\ 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗷. 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

𝐿𝐼𝑉.

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𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙮-𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙧

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

BEFORE CAROLINE WAS ready, holiday was over, and the second term of fifth year was starting up. That meant OWLs, and intense studying for all of her classes. Caroline grew anxious just thinking about it all. Harry and Remus had managed to convince Caroline to visit both Andy and Eloise before they left for school. Andy was the same, stable, but critical. Eloise finally spoke to Caroline, saying one word. 'Jacob'. Her mother was thinking of her son only. The doctors had said that she was getting better, but Caroline wasn't convinced. She didn't want to talk about it at all, not even Harry could coax it out of her.

        Caroline, Harry, Ron and Hermione walked down the stairs at Grimmauld Place, preparing to leave for the train station. "I can't understand why you don't want to wear it, Ronald." Hermione said, speaking of the sweater Ron's mother knitted for him.

        "Because I look like a bloody idiot, that's why." Ron said in return.

        "No more than usual, Ronald." Hermione said, her and Ron walking into the kitchen. Harry went in a different room, and Caroline let him. She had things to take care of, anyways.

        Caroline grabbed her bag from the kitchen table, placing her cats inside where they would be comfortable, eyeing her godfather. "Why are you staring at me?" Caroline asked, grabbing Harry's bag.

        Remus sighed. "I'm worried about both you and Harry, Carol. Please, if you need me, call for me. I don't want either of you suffering alone." the man said, watching Caroline's tense body language.

        "I will, I promise," Caroline said quietly, tossing her braids over her shoulder. "If anything changes, with my parents..." she began, unsure of how to phrase what she was asking.

        "You'll be the first to know." Remus assured Caroline, and she nodded.

        It was time to leave, so Caroline bid her godfather a quiet goodbye and went to the room Harry was in, finding him with Sirius. Their conversation wasn't new to Caroline, Harry had spoken about most of it to her, writing down everything else. She knocked on the doorframe softly, Harry and Sirius turning to her. "It's time to go." Caroline said quietly.

        Sirius and Harry walked over, Sirius having a hand on Harry's back. "When all this is over, we'll be a proper family. You'll see." Sirius said to Harry, before enveloping him into a gentle hug, Harry relaxing instantly. Caroline smiled at the sight.

        Harry took his bag from Caroline, touching his lips to her temple briefly. "Bye, Sirius." Caroline said sadly, beginning to turn away.

        "Not so fast. Get back here, Miss Carol," Sirius said, and Caroline stepped tentatively back into the doorway, Harry beside her. "You're not escaping before I get a hug."

        "Sirius." Harry said, knowing that Caroline was still very afraid of physical contact.

        Caroline glanced at him, handing him her bag before she stepped over to Sirius. The two watched as Caroline took a deep breath, her fingers shaking as she walked into Sirius's arms, expecting pain. It came as it always did, but it was lighter. It was pain that Caroline could manage. She was so happy as she hugged Sirius that she almost cried. "Well, look at that." Sirius said in awe, watching as Harry's eyes lit up.

        Stepping away, Caroline wiped at her eyes that were filling with tears of utter joy. "One second." she said, leaving the room and going to the kitchen, where Remus was.

        "Did you forget something?" Remus said, turning to face Caroline.

        "Yeah." Caroline said, and then she was wrapping her arms around her godfather, feeling him hug her back. It still hurt, but she could work through it. This pain was worth it to see the look on Remus's face.

        Remus smoothed out Caroline's braids. "I'm so proud of you, darling." Remus whispered, and Caroline smiled, stepping back from her godfather.

        "After term, can I come home with you?" Caroline asked, tossing her long braids away.

        Remus nodded, wiping a speck of dirt from Caroline's chin. "Whatever you want." he promised, and Caroline hugged him once more before she walked away, finding her friends waiting at the door.

        Harry saw a fresh light in Caroline's eyes, and her brief happiness was contagious. He handed her her bag, their trunks already in the car. "Ready?" Hermione asked, and Caroline nodded. It was time to face the music, and there was nothing to hide behind. Umbridge was out for blood, and Caroline knew that. She was prepared. At least, she pretended she was.

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