The dim feeling of horror spread through Viktoriya Black's stomach slowly as she stared down the building before her. It was a tall building, towering on the small pitiful rock somewhere far into the North Sea. Viktoriya had flown here on her Nimbus 2001 and now stood with the broom in her hand, glaring at the building. Azkaban Fortress, it was called. Dementors, tall, hooded creatures that stole the happiness right from your heart, stood guard around the wizard prison. Viktoriya resolutely gripped her broom at her side and marched through the doors into the prison.
"Viktoriya!" cried the only human guard, an Auror named Alec Thunder. Viktoriya felt for him in his gloomy job. "What a surprise! I hadn't expected you back so soon. Where's your mother?"
Viktoriya suppressed a shudder at the mention of her mother and shook her head. She'd been to this prison on quite a few occasions to visit her father.
"You shouldn't be here alone," Alec told the young girl as he surveyed her over his desk.
"I need to see Sirius," Viktoriya stated clearly.
"Azkaban is not a place for a girl your age to be wandering alone," Alec tried to dissuade her.
"I want to see my dad," Viktoriya repeated fiercely, stormy grey eyes flashing. She glared firmly at the Auror before her. Alec just shook his head.
"Where is your mother?" Alec pressed.
"She's dead," Viktoriya growled, still glaring and resembling her father very much. "Can I see my dad now?"
With a muted look of shock, Alec gave a short nod. Viktoriya leant her broomstick against Alec's desk, as was procedure, and whipped around to walk down the dark corridor she had traveled so many times before. Without waiting for Alec, she unlocked the heavy door, glared at the two dementors flanking the door, and strode purposefully in. The door came to a close behind her with a resounding snap. Suppressing another shudder, Viktoriya turned her eyes on the huddled figure in the corner whose head had raised at the sound of her entrance.
"Tori!" a harsh voice croaked and the man in the corner rushed forward to greet his daughter. Viktoriya tried in vain to be happy about being in her father's embrace once more, but the memory of her mother's death was just too fresh. Sirius Black gently brushed back a strand of Viktoriya's dark hair. "What are you doing here? Where's your mum?"
At this inquiry, Viktoriya broke down in sobs, leaning against her alarmed father's gaunt chest. Sirius stood stock still for a mere moment before seizing Viktoriya's arms to look her in the face. Her cheeks shone in the pale moonlight.
"What happened?" he demanded roughly.
"Mum--" Viktoriya spoke between sobs, "H-he killed--sent a m-manticore--"
Sirius seemed to get the full picture as he released Viktoriya's arms and allowed her to cry against his shoulder. His own eyes were devoid of tears, having cried enough during his first few years of imprisonment.
"Have you been to see Remus?" he questioned once Viktoriya's tears had subsided enough to allow her to speak. She shook her head.
"I grabbed my broom and came here immediately," she said.
"You're safer going to your uncle's," Sirius chided, peering down at the young girl thoughtfully, looking mildly touched that she had wanted to see him first and foremost after the catastrophe.
Viktoriya gave a small shake of the head.
"I wanted to see you," she said, "I thought you should know. Mum always said you knew her best."
"She certainly knew me best," Sirius muttered, lapsing, if only for a second, into a fond memory of his now late wife. It was sucked away as quickly as it had come. "Look, you need to go to Remus. He'll be able to sort things out--"
"It's a full moon, Dad," Viktoriya said flatly. "He'll be in a forest somewhere. I won't be able to find him till morning."
Sirius frowned, glancing at the sliver of a window that adorned his otherwise very black stone walls. Sure enough, a full, round moon smiled sadly back at him.
"I want you to come with me, Daddy," Viktoriya went on hastily and quietly. "You don't deserve to be in here."
"Viktoriya," Sirius replied sternly, "We've been over this before--"
"But I need you, Dad," Viktoriya cut in, "Now more than ever."
"No," Sirius answered firmly.
"Please, Daddy," Viktoriya pleaded. "I won't let anything happen to you. I know Remus will come around in time."
Sirius regarded her daughter for a moment, considering. He did not doubt her abilities, nor did her wish to see any harm befall her, which would most certainly happen when found guilty of what she wanted to do.
"Mum taught me Occlumency," Viktoriya stated. "The Ministry will never know it was me! They'll never put it to a thirteen-year-old to smuggle a fully grown man from a building full of Dementors. Alec will never see you!"
Sirius looked very seriously at his daughter.
"It's too dangerous," he said.
"You like danger," replied Viktoriya with a smirk. "Look," she reached into her robes, pulling out a long wooden stick. "I even nicked your wand. They'll think it was an inside job!"
Sirius sat in deep contemplation for a moment, staring hard at his daughter's pleading face. Viktoriya could not fathom a single thought going through his mind at that moment, but remained hopeful. Her father was innocent of the murders he'd been charged with. He did not deserve the condemned life of a prisoner that he was living. He did not deserve the twelve years he'd spent in this horrible prison.
It seemed to take an age for Sirius to finally consent.
I'm not a big fan of author's notes, so don't expect many from me. Just bear with me. The first couple of chapters are going to be in Harry's time, as will the last chapter or so, I believe (not sure yet!!). In a couple of chapters though, she'll be flying back in time. Fans of the Marauders, don't worry. They'll be showing up. I may need some help with pranks and such, however. I'm no good with those. If you've got an idea, let me know and I'll definitely credit you!! Thanks!
By the way, I own nothing but the lovely Viktoriya Anastasiya.