Year One: The Philosopher's Stone
There are two sides to every coin just as there are two sides to every story. A Slytherin to a Gryffindor. Behind every hero there's a villain. Then behind every villain there's a story. Marie Rogue is that story.
Prologue
It was a stormy night as Remus Lupin paced the living room, his footsteps echoing as a cradle he had conjured was tucked safely in the corner. The baby girl inside was sleeping peacefully, her cheeks flushed pink from the warmth of her blanket. She was barely a year old with thick black baby hair, soft to the touch. He had yet to see her eyes that evening, for she was sound asleep when Sirius brought her only an hour ago. It had been some time since he had seen her last and he couldn't remember the color of her eyes. Were her they hazel like James, or green like Lily?
He placed his hand on the cold window pane, staring out into the rainy night. What was Sirius thinking, bringing him a child on a night like this? He was fortunate that she didn't catch a fever out in the wet and cold. A particularly sharp flash of lightning made him flinch and take a step back. Such atrocious weather.
There was a sharp tap on the glass and he squinted in order to see the tawny owl past the light's glare, and there was a letter crumpled in its beak. After rustling its feathers, hooting in disapproval of the rain, and even biting Remus on the finger did he hand over the letter.
"Ruddy owl," he muttered. He didn't even need to break the envelope's seal, seeing as there was none, which raised questions. When he pulled out a piece of parchment it was obvious that it had been stuffed inside unceremoniously His stomach clenched as a wave of nausea started to rise as he began to read the illegible writing. Every instinct was screaming dread and he didn't even hear the crib creak as the little girl stirred.
"Remus,
You-Know-Who killed Lily and James. Harry lived. Dumbledore is taking Harry to Vernon and Petunia Dursley. They're those thick-headed Muggles that Lily's related to. I can't take Marie back. I'm going after Peter. Dumbledore says that you can become Marie's guardian, or owl him and he'll persuade the Dursleys to take her in as well.
This is most likely my last letter to you. You're still my best mate. Tell Marie I love her.
Sirius Black."
He read the letter again. Another time to clarify. Once more to be sure. Each reading slower than the last, allowing the facts to sink in painfully.
Two of his friends were dead. Their son was going to be raised by magic-hating Muggles. Sirius was going after Peter, reasons unknown to him.
"Mummy?"
He jumped and spun to look at Marie Potter, who was standing in her crib, staring wide eyed at him. Her eyes were green, like Lily. How could he have forgotten? Harry's were identical with their sharp shade of jade.
"N-no," he answered, unsure of how to talk to her. She was a child after all. How much would she understand? "Mummy's not here."
So, she took another guess, none too concerned. "Daddy?"
He shook his head and walked over to her, his legs numb. She held her arms up for him to pick her up. Rather trusting for one so young; he had only seen her a few times before. Her expression started to waver now. Two of her most familiar, most loved people were not with her.
"Harry?"
Harry wasn't with her either. Her brother. He remembered the way Lily wrote about the pair of siblings. How Marie, as the oldest twin, took it upon herself to make sure Harry was within her sight at all times. Now, it was just Marie with no Harry to look after.
"Harry's...going to be staying with Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia for awhile..." His throat was growing tight as she looked up at him, her eyes watering. The lack of familiarity was upsetting her, he assumed. She didn't even comprehend the severity of her situation yet. Far too young.
"Baby?" He looked at her confused before realizing that she was referring to herself. What about her? What would happen now? Owl Dumbledore to convince the Dursleys to take her in? Or keep her with him, a werewolf? A werewolf who at least loved her.
"Yes...baby will be..." Tears slipped down his face, mirroring the ones that were rolling down her round cheeks. He hugged her tightly, so fragile in his arms. So, so fragile.
"Baby will be staying with me..."