Sirius' Daughter Chapter One
Prologue: The Summer After Fourth Year
The room was silent, as I watched the news with my mother. It was eleven o'clock, and my eyes began to droop as I tried to focus on the television. The loud grandfather clock in the hallway seemed to echo around the large cottage my mother and I now lived in.
It was the cottage my father left me. My mother and I had decided to move to the cottage, wanting a fresh new start. We piled into our small car, and drove to the address. When we arrived I could hardly believe it. The 'cottage' my father had left me was hardly a cottage. It was a three floor mansion, the back facing a large lake. Smaller than most, it was still huge. We were lucky that it was already furnished and to our luck the house was spotless due to the three house-elves that worked there.
It took some time to get used to, but my mother quickly got over the fact that she didn't have to clean, and also having house elves in her home. My grandmother had yet to join us in our large home, and we had already bought the train tickets for her to come. The truth was, the two of us were lonely in our home. I wondered sometimes if that would be different if my father were living with us.
"What's wrong Monica?"
My other's words cut through the cool air. I looked over to her, and shook my head. "Nothing's wrong," I told her.
She looked skeptical, but dropped the subject turning back to the television. I glanced out the window, and saw that it had started to rain lightly outside. Shivering, I pulled a blanket off of the couch back, and wrapped it around me, my eyes closing slightly.
There was a loud pop, and though my mother had grown used to having the house-elves appearing, and re-appearing, she jumped. My eyes snapped open and I looked at Mitts who stood near the door of the newly television room.
"Ma'am, Remus Lupin has arrived." She told us with her squeaky voice.
I stared frozen as my mother stood up. With a snap Mitts disappeared, and I looked to my mum. "Why is my old professor here?"
My mother rolled her eyes. "Remember in the letter? He told us he was coming over to talk to you, to us." She explained walking over to the door. "He's an old friend of your father's, Monica. Now are you coming?" she asked.
Silently I followed my mother from the television room to the front hall. I was much more awake now, and as we descended down the main staircase I spotted the man who had once taught me DADA.
He had aged much since I had last seen him, over a year ago. His hair was greyer, and new lines and creases adorned his face, but when I met his eyes I was reminded that this man was much younger then he appeared.
"Remus," my mother said in soft happiness.
"Silvia, it had been a long time," his calm voice filled the hall. "Hello Monica, I do hope you don't mind me coming so late. I have been very busy with the Order."
I stared at him, unable to answer. I just nodded, standing slightly behind my mother. "Come in to the parlor, I'll go make some tea. Mon, show him the way."
Remus Lupin did not seem to argue with her, though I knew fully well he could magically make some tea, but I ignored this fact, and gave a small smile to my old Professor. "This way," I spoke quietly.
I led him a little way down the main hall before open the second door on the right, and opened the door into a brightly lit parlor. My mother had changed many of the dressings and wall colours from dark greens, to white and creams. She said it was far too dark in the cottage, and sat away quickly brightening the place up.
"I must say your father would be pleased to see this cottage after with what your mothers done to it." He said smiling, sitting on one of the cream coloured chairs.
I perked up a little at mention of my father. "Will he be able to visit me soon?" I asked hopefully, sitting on the same coloured couch across from the chair.
Remus frowned. "I am not sure, Monica. Dumbledore has currently ordered him not to leave his hiding spot; the Ministry has become more adamant about catching your father."
"It's easier just to say no." I said tonelessly, and looked away from my old professor.
My mother entered the parlor as if on cue, a tray with a silver tea pot and three tea cups sitting on it. She smiled as she put the tray on the table in between the couch and chair. She sat next to me, and we all made ourselves tea. I stirred mine in silence, and sipped on it quietly as I watched Remus drink his without anything in it.
Finally he placed his tea back on the table. "Wonderful tea, as always." He complimented my mother, and fought hard not to roll my eyes. If he could delay what he was going to tell us any more, I was thinking about leaving the room.
"So what have you come to tell us?" my mother asked.
Remus shifted in his seat, making it obvious to me that the conversation we just had still running through his head. "I came here to tell you two a few things. Sirius had wanted to come, but he is unable to under Dumbledore's orders." He paused, noticing how my mother moved a little closer. "As you know, Sirius is high on the Ministry's want list. He risked a lot to be so close to Hogwarts last year, but as you know, with both you and Harry there with so much going on he wanted to stay." Remus explained.
"There has been slander in the Daily Prophet calling Dumbledore and Harry Potter a fraud." I interjected before he could say any more. I figured if I asked the question this whole thing would move along faster.
"The Ministry is leaning hard on the Prophet because they refuse to believe that Voldemort is back. Fudge is blinded, and Dumbledore is trying hard to repair the damage of it." Remus explained.
I believed him, I had no reason not to. I just wanted to hear what his explanation was. "What exactly is Dumbledore doing to solve this?" I asked curiously.
"He has organized a group of people together who have accepted that Voldemort is back, and ready to stand against the Fudge government." Remus explained. I thought it all sounded rather patriotic, but at the same time very lame.
"Your not starting the Order back up again, are you?" my mother asked, concern in her voice.
I stared at her. What on Earth was she talking about? "Yes," Remus confirmed. My mother gave a short shudder.
"How could he? After what happened the last time," my mum asked, sounding more than concerned now.
"You have to understand Sylvia," his eyes hardened. "We're more organized, and we know fully what were dealing with this time 'round."
"You thought you knew what you were dealing with last time!" my mother nearly shouted. "You all said that last time and look what happened! Lily and James are dead, and the Longbottom's are both in the hospital for life because they were driven insane! Get Sirius, I want to talk to him. I am not letting him join that damned Order." My mother finished, the hysteria ringing around the room.
I looked between my mother and Remus confused. What were they talking about? Remus had grown quiet while my mother continued to fume. Looking to Remus again, I caught his gaze. "What is my mother talking about?"
Remus sighed, rubbing his forehead. "She's talking about the Order of the Phoenix. The group I was telling you about."
I shook my head impatiently. "No, I got that. I'm asking about those people she was talking about. Who are they? What happened to them?"
Remus had a pained expression on his face, but he hid it well, even if I could see through it. Slowly, he began. "They were members of the Order, and some of my best friends. Lily and James or Harry Potter's parents. I am sure Sirius has told you about them. The Longbottom's are the parents of Neville Longbottom. They were tortured into insanity by Bellatrix Lestrange. The truth is last time over half of the Order was killed by the end of the war." Remus explained.
We were all silent, as I thought silently to myself. I had heard of the Order before, I could remember a few times when it was mentioned it in old Daily prophets I had read in the Library. To me it seemed like a noble cause, anything the stood against Voldemort was something to be proud of. My father was a part of it, so was his friend, Lily and James. He had only talked about them a few times in the letter's he sent. I knew it was something hard for him to talk about, I knew he felt responsible for their deaths, and for letting Harry grow up with his Aunt and Uncle and not him.
I looked up to Remus, and he looked at me kindly. "Do you allow students in Slytherin to join?"
My mother next to me choked on her tea, but before she could say anything Remus intervened.
"Monica, you are far too young to join the Order. But when you are older, and if the Order is still formed, you are welcome to join." Remus replied skillfully.
But my mother still was not having it. "Even if she old enough –of age- I am not allowing her to join." She turned to look at me with pleading eyes. "Monica, please listen to me: don't join the Order. It is too dangerous."
I leaned forward, understanding my mother's worry. "I know mum, but I want to. Voldemort needs to be stopped, and if I can be a part of it, than I want to do everything I can."
"Are you sure you are in Slytherin?" asked Remus quietly.
My mother was silent, but I could see tears in her eyes. She pulled me into her arms, and mumbled something inaudible for me to hear, than pulled away. "You are too much like your father."
"Really?" I asked in disbelief. My mother simply nodded, dabbing her eyes with a cloth. Beaming I looked to Remus. Talk of my father had caused me to wonder again about whether I would see him soon or not.
"Will I ever get to see him again?" it was hard to mask the pain in my voice. The truth was I missed my father terribly, and not being able to see him for a long time hurt.
Remus gave me a sad smile. "I don't know. I am sure you will see this year, I doubt Dumbledore would keep you two apart for too long."
I looked away. The clock out in the hall rang twelve times, and I stood up. Looking at Remus first, I bade good night and good bye.
"Good night Monica, it was nice to meet you." Remus said politely.
I kissed my mum good night and escaped to my room on the top floor off the North West hall. I pulled my night gown on; making sure that my locket was safely tucked in the front of it, and sat down on the large bay window seat facing the lake. The dark sky was clear, and the stars and half-moon shown brightly in the sky reflecting in the dark waters below. In the distance, the dark wood the stood behind the lake, trees swaying in the cool summer wind. Pulling my knees close to my chest, I wrapped my arms tightly around my legs, and lay my head down on top of them.
More than anything in the whole world, I missed my father. His long letters did little to please me, though a smile always found it's way on to my face when I received one from him. I had only received three so far this summer, the last one had been short, and only to tell me of Remus' plan to make a visit with us. I knew something was troubling him, though he would never admit it if I asked him, but he was so drawn in. His letter's seemed empty, and he only gave short responses to anything I wrote. I knew it was hard for him, and that he was not looking forward to everyone in his home leaving for school once again. I promised him three times in my last letter that I would write to him as much as possible.
My eyes began to droop as I fought to keep them open. I heard the stairs creak nearby, and only seconds later I heard the soft knock on my bedroom door. Looking over to my door, I watched as my mother entered. A worn smile was on her face, and she came over to sit on the window seat next to me. Sitting in front of me, she reached out and held my chin.
"I love you so much, Monica. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you." She spoke softly, her olive eyes earnest. "But you are too much like your father, I should have known that."
I had no idea what she was talking about. I reached up and took her hand in mine, and laid it down on the seat. "What are you talking about, Mum?"
My mother's eyes filled with tears, and pain. I squeezed her hand gently, wanting her to stop crying. I did not like seeing my mother this way.
"I should've known what was happening! I should've seen that he was hurting you. I should've seen the look in your eye that is so much like his. I should've realized that you were hiding something to keep me happy." Tears ran down her worn face.
"Mum, how could you have known? You thought he only hurt you, you thought he was getting help, you thought he was better. It's no one's fault but mine. I should have told you." I told her. She didn't seem to want to let me take the blame. "It's in the past now. We are here now, and we just have to make the best of it."
My mother nodded, wiping her tears. "I swear sometimes, that you are the grown up, and I am the child."
"Mum! I'm not a child." I smirked.
My mother let out a laugh. "Yes, you are right, you're not a child."
Slowly we moved over to my bed, and my mother crawled under the covers next to me. I heard once again the clock down stairs chime, and I counted in my head. It was one o'clock in the morning. Exhaustion wash over me, and I snuggled closer to my pillow before falling asleep.
A/N: So here it the first chapter to Sirius' Daughter, sequel to My Father Is My Savior. I hope you liked it, I know there are a few confusing parts, I believe, and I would love to get some feedback! Thanks!