Cynthia Lupin and the Veil of Secrets

Chapter One- The Curse of Loneliness

Sometimes it is amazing how much can change in an year. Long lasting friendships can be shattered and loneliness can take over. Everyone had thought the Marauder's friendship would last forever. But thanks to the acts of James Potter it didn't. And of course Lily foolishly followed after her husband. They had simply decided that there was no chance against Greyback, James had even tried to convince Sirius to join them but earned a punch in the face getting the reply that he wasn't a jerk enough to betray someone's trust. James and Lily Potter's departure had hurt everyone deeply mainly Harry who took a stand that even if he had to be separated from his parents, he wasn't going to betray his best friend. Neville was proud of Harry for doing that.

Things hadn't been the same since then. Remus had shut himself off from everyone, Sirius wasn't talking much either and Cynthia felt more alone than ever. She knew it was all her fault, she was the reason Harry had lost his parents, she was the reason the Marauders were separated. Peter had died protecting James last year, that's when things had begun to go wrong. James felt angry, bitter and Greyback hadn't given up much either. James did not want to die like Peter had so he decided leaving was the best option.

Currently Cynthia was sitting on her own bed. It was early morning but she hadn't been able to sleep well last night not that one could blame her. Harry had taken things the hardest he had decided that friendship didn't really exist after all and he could tell Cynthia believed the same. But if friendship didn't exist did his close bond with Neville and Cynthia cut out for nothing? Was it just here today, gone tomorrow? Harry had always believed the Marauders friendship would last forever but it had shattered like a piece of glass.

Sirius came inside sitting down on Cynthia's bed.

"You'll be late for class Cynthia you should start getting ready." Sirius murmured softly trying to give her a small smile. Yes, he missed James and was broken by what his friend did but Sirius believed he made the right decision. He would never abandon Remus or Cynthia no matter what happened he wasn't a coward unlike his so called best friend. He was more disappointed in Lily she just got up and followed her husband without thinking twice.

"Who cares about class? There's no point this is my entire fault." Cynthia said sounding more miserable than she felt. Sirius frowned resting both hands on Cynthia's shoulders and forcing the young child to look into his eyes.

"Cynthia Michelle Lupin this is in no way your fault. Potter is just a coward that's all. Forget about him people come into our lives; they go out of our lives too. I know you miss Lily and it's normal to do that. But you know what your mother would have done? She wouldn't have even looked back at someone who can't make their own decisions. Lily followed blindly after her husband. She lost my respect after that." Sirius said firmly as he moved a strand of her hair out of her eyes.

Cynthia blinked slightly but then could not help but smile slightly. Her parents were honestly lucky having a friend like Sirius if in her eyes friendship did exist then she would say Sirius was a loyal friend but there was no such thing as friendship it was simply a word everyone thought existed but in reality it didn't. But she didn't want to cause more trouble so she just nodded to Sirius in a way that would look convincing.

"Okay, I'll get ready. And Sirius thank you for being there for me." Cynthia said giving him a small smile which Sirius returned.

Cynthia quickly got ready and headed down. Her face fell once more when she realized her father was still locked up in his room. She felt Sirius's arm go around her protectively and looked up at him.

"I've tried talking to Moony really I have. Told him they're not worth it. But Potter basically proved him right he always had the doubts that we would leave him and Potter proved he was right. Traitor." Sirius said sounding angry it was surprising to hear this out of Sirius's mouth but he was angry, very angry he never expected James to sink so low.

Cynthia frowned rubbing his shoulder to try and calm him down as he walked with her to class. He mentioned he had already spoken to Harry and made him go to class as well. When they did arrive to Cynthia's first class, Sirius's eyes seemed to widen upon seeing who the teacher was. The frizzy brown hair, emerald green eyes, as pale and beautiful as ever stood there Madison Tarkis. Madison had first met Sirius in his Animagus form and he had saved her from her abusive aunt and uncle. But then for his fear she had left not wanting her uncle to harm him because of her.

"Sirius?" Cynthia said snapping Sirius out of his thoughts. Sirius looked at her and smiled motioning for her to go to class. Sirius walked away from the class lost in his own thoughts. Madison had been the only one he had ever loved, she wasn't your ordinary girl…well woman now but still she was one of the most kindest people ever they had even went out on a few dates but Madison cared too much about Sirius to let him get hurt. Especially because of her.

Sirius was snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Remus sitting in the common room with his head in his hands. Sirius frowned sadly deciding he really would never forgive James for this, if Greyback had been trying to break Remus, James sure helped him succeed. Sirius plopped down besides his best friend wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

"Moony?" Sirius asked it wasn't occasionally seen him looking this concerned but he truly was worried about his best friend.

"It's like a curse. People leaving me due to Greyback. First Michelle was killed, then Peter and now James and Lily left as well. It's a curse of loneliness you might eventually leave me too Padfoot." Remus murmured and Sirius shook his head firmly gripping Remus by the shoulders.

"I am not a coward or someone who can't use their own brain. Potter was a coward and his wife doesn't know what thinking means clearly. I am not like that. As for Peter he died a hero so did Michelle what would she think hearing you say that. I am never leaving your side Remus." Sirius said firmly and to prove his point transformed into Padfoot and cuddled up against Remus. For the first time in so many days this helped Remus feel slightly better and smile he buried his head in Padfoot's fur holding the cute and cuddly dog close to him. If Padfoot left his side he'd probably do something drastic.

"Padfoot…thank you." Remus said softly and Padfoot licked his face playfully causing him to chuckle. Padfoot transformed back into human and smiled at his best friend. They got into talking and Sirius told Remus who the new DADA teacher was. Remus looked at his best friend wide eyed.

"The new teacher is that girl Madison? Have you talked to her yet?" Remus said looking quite surprised by this. Sirius shook his head.

"Not yet. I will though we have a lot of catching up to do." Sirius said smiling as he thought of the one girl he would do anything for. She meant a lot to him and the Marauders knew that or what was left of the Marauders anyway. Cynthia was certain to do well in that class and if not Sirius could always pull a few strings since he and Madison had a friendship.