A/n: I took the title from a link I found after searching "revenge titles". Hoooooow original. This story came to me after watching The Count of Monte Cristo for the 14023413942094 time. Please enjoy. I will begin working on the next chapter. Some questions this leaves behind will be answered. This chapter was mostly limited to Sirius's 3rd person POV. The next chapter will be from the mysterious Ruella, obviously my OC.

The Potter's cottage was a simple two-story stone home. There were flower beds lining the front wall and the walk way. You would never have been able to tell that a madman had blown up half of the home at one point in time.

As he walked toward the front door of his deceased best friend's house, Sirius felt an unabated terror fill him. It had been so many years since he had encountered his friends. The last time he had seen Lily Potter, she'd been screaming curses at him as the Aurors had carted him away.

With a trembling hand, he stretched his arm out to knock on the door. He was surprised at the loud pound he produced. He heard a faint "Coming!".

With a soft "whoosh" the door swung open. He could not keep the grin off his face when he took in the beautiful woman. Lily didn't look as if she had aged a year, though it had been almost ten. Her emerald green eyes widened, and she let out an audible gasp of surprise.

"Sirius…" She barely managed to whisper before she collapsed into huge, wracking sobs in his arms. Sirius was surprised for only a moment before his arms wrapped tightly around her.

"What in the bloody hell is going on?" A familiar, yet angry, voice shouted from inside of the house. Remus appeared moments later but he looked much less shocked than Lily. Of course, Remus knew his scent well.

"Mooney." Sirius greeted him, still holding a sobbing Lily.

"You could have sent an owl, Pads. She's not in any condition for these emotions." Remus muttered, prying Lily off of Sirius, "Lily, calm down." Sirius watched as Remus soothed Lily. He took this time to notice the glint of wedding bands on both of their fingers and the swell of Lily's stomach.

"So...you two got married?" Sirius asked after Lily took a deep breath and wiped her eyes.

"Yes. We sent you letters but I should have known they wouldn't be permitted." Lily muttered, wringing her hands. Sirius wasn't afraid of upsetting her further. He knew she would have her emotions in check now.

"Mum, what's wrong?" A disheveled 11-year-old boy asked as he ran up. It was apparent from his eyes that he had just woken up.

"Wow. He looks just like James." Sirius said softly. At his voice, the boy noticed the stranger and flashed a mischievous smile. It was apparent he recognized him.

"Padfoot?" Harry asked softly, running a hand through his wild hair. His eyes sparkled in the sunlight. Sirius couldn't help but to notice how handsome the boy had become.

"Harry?" Sirius grinned. Harry stepped toward Sirius and hugged him tightly. In this moment, Sirius truly hoped life would be just like it was prior to his imprisonment.

"I have heard so much about you. Aunt Rue told-" Harry was cut off by Remus.

"Harry, you need to get dressed properly." Remus said shortly. Harry's eyes widened at what was obviously a reprimand. Lily sighed and led her son inside, explaining something softly.

"Rue? You still see her?" Sirius asked softly, feeling rage boiling just beneath the surface.

"Yes...we do." Remus replied. He wasn't defensive, but he sounded sure of himself. Sirius felt completely betrayed.

"She's the cause of ALL OF THIS." Sirius hissed, trying to keep his anger from exploding. He didn't want Harry to see him like this…like the angry madman the Daily Prophet had painted him to be for so long.

Remus looked at Sirius disdainfully, "Surely you cannot believe that. Not after-"

"Remus." Lily said from the doorway. Sirius wasn't sure if she was stopping Remus from revealing something or just a coincidental interruption. He was still rather paranoid, even after a year out of Azkaban, so he chose to ignore it.

"What?" Remus asked as he looked at her with a sappy smile. Sirius chuckled as he took in the happiness he saw. Honestly, it was odd for him to see because Lily had always been James's girl. Nonetheless, he was very happy for the two.

"Breakfast will be ready in five minutes. I expect you both at the table in EXACTLY five minutes. I am very interested in hearing why Sirius has ignored all of our letters for the year he has been out of Azkaban." Lily turned on her heel and walked back inside, closing the door behind her.

Sirius groaned, "She's pissed?"

Remus nodded in agreement, "She is pissed. BUT I have explained to her that you would have needed time after Azkaban to heal. Come on...we may as well have this conversation at the table."

Sirius noted that the general decor of the house was the same. This wasn't particularly surprising. Lily had redecorated in the year that she and James had been there before Voldemort had changed everything.

When the two men entered the dining room, the took their seats. Lily entered moments later and with a snap of her fingers, all the dishes she had prepared popped up on the table.

"Where's Harry?" Remus asked, scooping eggs onto his plate. Lily waved her wand lazily and pumpkin juice began pouring in everyone's glasses.

"He's going over to spend the day with Ryan." She replied smoothly.

"Lils, he should have stayed today and spent time with Sirius." Remus said softly. He fiddled with the tablecloth as he said it, hoping not to stir the woman up.

"We will make it up to you, Sirius. Hogwarts does this thing now…" Lily trailed off, placing a hand on her stomach, "She's kicking. Sorry, that's distracting as hell. Anyway, Hogwarts has a family picnic the month before term. Seeing as it is currently August 5th, that family day falls on this upcoming Saturday."

"The 10th?" Sirius supplied after swallowing his pumpkin juice, "What are you getting at?"

"IF you're agreeable, you can accompany us. It would be your first public appearance since your release." Lily smiled charmingly and gave him a slightly pleading look.

Sirius rubbed his forehead and sighed, "Lils...I don't know." His gray eyes clouded over with several emotions that Lily couldn't identify quickly enough.

"Sirius, I think she's right. I know you've been rather secluded except for the mind-healer visits and a few house elves. Plus...Lily feels as if you need to make up for ignoring her since you've been out." Remus shrugged, spreading jam on a croissant.

Sirius shook his head, "The last time I saw you, Lily, you were trying to kill me because you though I killed your husband, my best friend. Forgive me if I thought you would be less than welcoming at my presence. Plus...there was the mysterious benefactor that set up a rehabilitation of sorts for me in a semi-secluded cottage. That person and the mind-healers thought it best if I avoid any stressful situations for a while and just work on my mental health."

"But you're okay now?" Remus question, his amber eyes focused on his friend.

With a nod, Sirius said, "Yes. I'm quite fine. Why do the two of you think I am innocent?"

Lily was somewhat surprised at his question, "With the help of-"

"Peter was located. He was murdered in front of several auror's eyes. That is when the public knew you were innocent. It took us eight years to even find him, Padfoot." Remus looked at Lily with a warning in his eyes.

"That's enough of that. What are you two hiding?" Sirius asked, sure now that he wasn't just being paranoid.

"Sirius, do you agree to go to Hogwarts with us this weekend?" Lily asked with a hopeful smile. Sirius melted slightly.

"Yes, Lily." He agreed.

"Good. Then I want you to be prepared for the fact that Ruella is now married." Lily said, her voice wavering slightly.

Sirius saw red for a moment.

"Sirus!" Remus shouted and Sirius realized his friend must have already said it several times.

"Who is she married to?" Sirius growled.

"Lucius Malfoy. She's his second wife." Lily said gently. Sirius stood up abruptly, the tension was felt by the couple as his magic flared out angrily. In his haste to leave the room, Sirius knocked over his goblet.

"I'm not even sure which of us would be best to handle him in this moment." Remus said softly before he cleaned up the juice.