/Thank you for your reviews guys :)
September passed by without any incident. Miranda continued being an excellent student and Head Girl. She continued working on her Patronus since she wanted to figure out the shape and she even talked to Professor McGonagall for a few lessons to discover her Animagus Form. McGonagall didn't ask her why she would have the need to find out about that. The old Professor already knew that Transfiguration was one of Miranda's favorite subjects. Miranda had already informed her that she was trying to master her favorite subjects; Potions, DADA and Transfiguration. So she was trying to learn everything about the three.
On another part of the castle, Remus Lupin had already felt himself at home after the first month had passed. The first full moon had run its circle and with Snape's help, who provided him with Wolfsbane, Remus spent it safely in the Shrieking Shack. He spent the next day under Madam Pomfrey's watchful eye and the day after that he resumed teaching as if nothing had happened. To the students, that asked, he simply stated that he was trying to get rid of a cold and that's why Snape took his place as a substitute.
Remus returned in his classroom as soon as he was released the next morning. He cleaned out his desk and checked his schedule. It seemed that he had only four classes that day. First, he had Gryffindor and Slytherin 1st years followed by Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff also 1st years. Straight after lunch he had Ravenclaw and Slytherin 2nd years followed by Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. It was nothing he couldn't handle.
As he picked up his book and opened to the page he was currently reading, a note with Miranda's handwriting fell on his lap. A small smile formed on his lips. He had fully memorized it by now but he read it every time it fell in his hand. The sweet smell of cinnamon and apple still emanated from it.
"I am sorry for my note last night. It was uncalled for and really immature. I completely understand your reasoning. I hope we can put it all behind us and who knows? Maybe we'll become good friends one day.
Sincerely,
M.B."
The note had arrived just before Miranda's first lesson and when the girl walked in and smiled, he felt quite relieved realizing that she actually meant the words she wrote. Remus, not wanting to answer via owl again, had asked her to stay behind after class. He could see that she was worried and anxious from the way she was fidgeting with her necklace. He had tried to figure out the shape of it but she had it tightly grasped in her hand and when she had approached she had hid it under her robes. So Remus had looked at her smiling softly and stood up. "Truce?" he had asked raising his hand between them. Miranda had looked at it and smiled relieved. "Truce!" she had nodded and shook his hand firmly. Her hand was soft and so small against his bigger one. "Dismissed then, Miss Black." He had nodded with a smirk as he pulled his hand back. "Have a nice day, sir." She smiled and left with a small bounce on her step. His eyes had watched her leave just as her perfume reached him. Cinnamon and apple. He had thought with a smile.
A soft knock pulled him away from his thoughts and he immediately sat up straighter. He stuck the note inside his book and left it on the desk as the door opened and a head appeared. "Good morning, Professor." Miranda greeted taking a step inside.
"Good morning, Miss Black. What brings you here so early?" he asked with a small smile.
Miranda took in her Professor's looks. Gone were the black teaching robes as he was relaxing on his chair. Her eyes scanned his appearance slowly. He was wearing a simple white shirt with the two first buttons open and the sleeves folded up to his elbows. From what she could see he was wearing a simple black pair of trousers. As she looked back into his eyes she realized that she had been silent for too long and blushed a bit.
"A-actually I bumped into Professor Dumbledore a few minutes ago and he asked me to tell you to stop by his office. Oh and good morning." She offered him her own bright smile.
"Now?" he raised an eyebrow surprised and maybe a little disappointed.
"I am afraid so." She nodded.
"I shall be going then. Thank you. Is there something else you'd like to tell me?" He asked as he noticed her hesitation. He stood up and turned his back to her as he reached for his teaching robes.
Miranda's eyes immediately zoomed in on his behind and bit her lip. Joanna was having a very bad influence on her. "Well, damn!" she muttered to herself.
"Excuse me, did you say something?" he asked as he turned around again.
"I-I said that there is something else I'd like to ask you." She stuttered a bit blushing. "I was wondering if we could have a few private lessons." As she noticed his surprised expression, she blushed and added immediately. "I-I am just trying to master the Patronus Charm and a few other spells. I've already having private lessons with Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape."
"I am afraid I'll have to turn down this request because to be honest I don't think that this is what you need. Not to mention, it will make your schedule even harder than it is." He pointed out smiling.
"But, sir, I-"
"All I am saying, Miss Black, is that you are an exceptional student and it would benefit you more to be my apprentice than just have private lessons. Not full time, of course. That is not possible since you are still in school."
"Really? You will do that?" she asked looking at him with amazement.
"Sure I will. You are a very bright student and this way you can help me as well. Who knows? Maybe you'll be able to teach a few classes if you have the time." He beamed at her as he noticed how overjoyed she was.
Miranda ran and hugged him before she even realized what she was doing. "Thank you so much, sir." She exclaimed full of excitement. Her scent immediately reached the werewolf's nose and he stood stiffly for a moment before patting her back slowly.
"The pleasure is all mine. I am glad I can help broaden this brilliant mind of yours."
When Miranda realized what she was doing she took a step back pulling her arms away from the surprised man. "Sorry." She muttered blushing. "I should get going. Breakfast." She simply stated and walked to the door. "Thanks again." She beamed and took off.
Remus chuckled as she disappeared. For a moment he wasn't really sure if it was a good idea to offer her something like that. The girl had already a lot of responsibilities. It wouldn't be healthy if everything she did was studying and attending her Head Girl's duties. He would have to talk to Albus about it.
With that, Remus remembered Dumbledore's request. He walked out of the classroom and headed towards Dumbledore's office. He stood in front of the gargoyle and called out the password. "Fizzing Whizzbees" he muttered and rolled his eyes. He stepped on the stairs and soon enough he found himself in front of Dumbledore's door. He knocked softly and entered.
The first thing, he noticed, was that Dumbledore wasn't alone. The other person that stood in front of the desk was a man with short hair, a bit shorter than his own but a lot darker. He wasn't facing him but when he turned around Remus couldn't help but gasp.
"Hello, Mr. Moony." Sirius' bright smile greeted him while Remus kept gaping like a fish. When the first shock had passed Remus walked and hugged his old friend clapping him on the back.
"When did you come back from Australia?" he asked surprised.
"Just now. I owled Albus and he said that it would be perfectly fine if I were to stop for a visit." They both sat down on the chairs in front of the desk smiling at each other.
"Before you tell me anything, I have to ask. Where is that charming wavy hair that you were so proud of?" Remus asked laughing. He was accompanied by Sirius' loud laughter and Dumbledore's fond smile.
"I thought that it was time for a change." He grinned foolishly.
"Don't get me wrong but why did you come back? After THAT incident I thought you would never want to come back here." Remus pointed out as soon as his laughter died down.
"Actually Albus informed me about the newest information about Rodolphus' whereabouts and he arranged my involvement in the matter along with Malfoy. I don't know if you heard but I am the best Auror in Australia and New Zealand." He informed his friend with a small smile.
"It's been 18 years since I saw you and you still haven't changed a bit." Remus shook his head smiling.
The Headmaster and the DADA Professor stayed silent as Sirius recited what had happened during these 18 years. Time flew by as the three men spent it discussing about quite a few things. About an hour later a soft knock on the door interrupted their discussion. "Enter." Albus called out.
Miranda Black, Henry Kane, the Gryffindor Head Boy, and Paige Griffin, a Hufflepuff prefect entered the office with excited smiles stuck on their faces. Miranda took a step in the front and looked at the men sitting around the desk. She didn't pay much attention to the man she didn't know but she smiled at Lupin and then turned her full attention to the Headmaster.
"Sorry to bother you, sir, but we had an early meeting with the other prefects this morning and it came to our attention that we haven't had a Halloween Ball since our second year." She gestured to her classmates behind her. While she was talking she tried to read Dumbledore's expression which proved to be really difficult since he was looking at them blankly. That didn't stop Miranda though. "So we were wondering if it would be okay if we planned one; with your permission, of course." Miranda smiled brightly at the Headmaster. She could feel all eyes in the room pinned on her and she started fidgeting nervously as she waited for an answer. Her eyes flickered for a bit to the side and locked with Remus' trying desperately to gather her courage.
"Excellent idea!" Dumbledore exclaimed causing everyone to jump out of their skin at the sudden reply. "And I'll take it that you want to be the one to sort everything out?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye. At her nod Albus couldn't help but add. "Always the leader, Miss Black." At the mention of the name, Sirius sat up a bit and studied the brunette closely. "You are just like your mother, my dear girl." Dumbledore smiled at her.
Miranda and her company turned to leave after thanking the Headmaster. "Miss Black, stay behind for a few minutes. I'd like you to meet someone." His eyes twinkled as Miranda stopped by the door and then walked back while the other two ran off presumably to inform the rest of the prefects.
"I couldn't help but notice that even though you, two, are related, you obviously haven't met before." He said as he pointed at Sirius and Miranda. "Miranda, this is Sirius Black. Sirius, this is Miranda Black, Bellatrix's daughter." Dumbledore made the introductions and sat back to enjoy the 'show'. Remus watched the scene between them curiously.
Miranda was looking at Sirius with excitement. She immediately stuck her hand out for a handshake. Sirius was left speechless as he shook her hand. He had no idea that Bellatrix had a daughter. "It's so nice to meet you sir." She smiled shaking his hand excitedly. "My aunts told me so much about you." She grinned.
"I-it's nice to meet you too, Miss Black. I didn't know Bellatrix had a daughter." He smiled a bit sadly.
"Please call me Miranda. You are my cousin; or uncle." She tilted her head a bit confused. "Well I am not sure what we are actually but anyway we are related of sorts." She chuckled. "Anyway, yeah. She gave birth to me while she was in Azkaban. Aunt Cissy was the one who raised me." She sighed sadly looking at the floor.
Sirius placed his hand on her shoulder and Miranda looked at him curiously. "From what is worth, your mother was an amazing woman and she was innocent. She never did what they accused her for. I am sure of it." He affirmed causing a wide smile to spread on the young woman's face.
"Thank you, you know, for saying that. Most people don't believe that she is innocent." She pointed out.
"I knew your mother very well, Miranda. I can see the resemblance between you two." He patted her shoulder before bringing his hand back.
"I'd like to know more about her. Aunt Cissy and Meda are the only ones who told me stories about her." She shrugged a bit disappointed.
"Then we should meet during Hogsmeade weekend and I'll tell you more about her. How does that sound?" he asked trying to cheer her up.
"That sounds great; if that is okay with the Headmaster, of course." Miranda and Sirius turned their gazes to the Headmaster. He smiled fondly at both of them and nodded.
"It's a plan then. I'll send you an owl." He smiled hugging her.
Miranda hugged him back tightly. She was really glad that she met him. He seemed very kind and good-hearted; just as Cissy had told her.
"Now that you mentioned Albus' permission…" Remus spoke up turning to the Headmaster "Miss Black asked me for some private lessons but I thought of offering her a part-time apprenticeship if that is allowed."
Albus looked at Miranda and Remus skeptically and a small smirk appeared. Thankfully it was hidden under his beard. "If that doesn't overload Miss Black's schedule, I don't see any harm. But Miss Black you have to cut down a few of your private lessons. I wouldn't like to see you stressed about your lessons." He turned his attention to the young woman.
"Yes, sir. Thank you very much." She bounced on the spot clearly excited.
A bell chimed all through the castle and Miranda realized that classes were about to start. With a last hug to Sirius and a goodbye to her teachers she walked out of the room. Remus' eyes followed her movements till the moment she disappeared from sight. That didn't go unnoticed by Sirius or Albus. When Remus turned around he noticed both men looking at him. Sirius' gaze was full of curiosity and recognition while Albus' was full of amusement. Remus blushed and stood up excusing himself to get to class.
It was Sirius who watched his friend fleeing from the room with a smirk.
"Will you stay for lunch, Sirius? I am sure Harry would like to see you and spend some time with you." Albus asked as if nothing had happened.
"I would love that, Albus." He smirked as his eyes were still glued to the door. Sirius eyes twinkled as he thought the third degree he was going to give Remus about Miranda.
/That's all for today I am afraid. I hope you liked the chapter. It took me a while to update I am afraid. Sorry about that. :)
Reviews make me reaaaally happy and give me motivation to keep writing!
Next chapter: The beginning of Miranda's apprentice followed by Hogsmeade weekend and of course an appearance from crazy Joanna. Stay tuned!
