0. . .oO•.o. Travelling Home .o.•Oo. . .0
Warning: This story might contain mild content, themes, and language which some may find offensive.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners, JK Rowling and Stephenie Meyer. The original characters and plot are the property of me - the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement intended.
A/N: Hello to all my viewers/readers, first off I'm going to start by saying: "I haven't vanished, and I'm still alive!" and second that I'm really sorry that this took more than a month to update. When I'm not up to my eyeballs with work and when I'm free I literally spend that spare time cracking on with my stories for you guys to read.
Anyway, here is Chapter Five! Please review/follow/favourite!
0. . .oO•.o. Travelling Home .o.•Oo. . .0
CHAPTER 5
•~Annie~•
Timeline for this chapter: July 1994
"Annie?" Renée calls from the bottom of the stairs.
Currently I'm in my bedroom, sitting on the window ledge, looking out at the oddly clear blue sky. The dark oak wooden floor and light blue walls went well with the bright blue translucent curtains that were swaying in the light breeze from me having my window ajar. A white vintage oak wood desk with matching dresser stood to the left of my door. In the centre wall of my room rests a twin-sized bed with silvery blue bedding, completed with several cushions of all shapes and sizes, all different shades of blue.
"Yes, Renée?" I call back to her.
It's been a week since Edward and his family have left town, and the only emotion I feel over their departure is guilt. Guilty because I don't miss them as much as I thought I would have done. Don't get me wrong, I would love them all to still be here - bar Edward - but not everything turns out the way you want it to in this life. When I told Charlie and Renée about them all leaving and exactly what Edward had told me, their first words were 'Good riddance' but obviously only aiming that at Edward. All in all though, they were very supportive as always, which I'm forever thankful for.
"Could you come down here, please," she asks.
"Be right down," I reply. I wonder what she could want...
Getting up immediately, I exit my bedroom and tread lightly down the stairs. Upon reaching the kitchen, I spot Charlie and Renée sitting at the dining room table, handling a cup of what I guess is tea. Both of them are sitting there quietly staring into their mugs when I clear my throat, announcing my presence. They look up towards me and I give a small smile before settling done in the chair next to Renée.
"Was there something you wished to discuss with me?" I ask after a couple minutes of silence and watching Charlie flicker his eyes over to Renée and then me every so often.
"Yes, sorry Annie. Got lost in my thoughts for a while then," Renée apologises.
"It's alright, I do that all the time," I chuckle softly, immediately loosening the tension in the room.
"Some...surprising news has come to light when we read our paper this morning," Charlie begins; only his emphasis on the word 'our' made it clear that we are talking about the magical world.
"Okay, so what news is this then?" I ask, suddenly curious.
Without a word, he reaches behind him to pick up the newspaper from the kitchen side, and places it on the table in front of me. 'Must be serious...' I muse, unfolding the newspaper but freeze the second my eyes connect with the headline and photograph on the front page.
THE DAILY MUSE
Peter Pettigrew is Alive!
Sirius Black is Found Innocent!
Edited by: Rita Skeeter [Reporter for The Daily Prophet] - [Special rights have been given, permitting us to publish this article in its original form]
Early yesterday evening, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge held a press conference in his office concerning the sudden trial of Sirius Black – the accused murderer of twelve Muggles and one wizard.
Black was sentenced to life in the high security level of Azkaban fortress and has been in prison for the past five years, paying for all those crimes that he committed.
However, Minister Fudge has informed the public eye that Sirius Black is indeed innocent. The Minister refused outright any questions put forward by the media on the sudden occurrences that led to Black's apparent innocence, but this had been what he had to say:
"For twelve years, we believed Black to be a murderer and a Death Eater; You-Know-Who's close and loyal spy. These crimes however have been proven untrue and Sirius Black is indeed innocent. He will be compensated for his time spent in Azkaban with 850,000 Galleons, in retribution for his wrongful imprisonment, and has been cleared of all charges, walking away this evening a free man."
When asked about the murders that took place 31st October 1980 – Lily and James Potter and a further thirteen Muggles – Fudge revealed that the true culprit was Peter Pettigrew and is being contained within the Ministry holding cells, awaiting his fate in Azkaban. The once hailed hero of the war was found guilty of all charges, and has been sentenced to a Dementors Kiss.
After talking briefly with Healer Wickham, we asked how Sirius Black was fairing after all these years in Azkaban:
"It is completely mystery as to how Mr. Black managed to retain his full sanity during his entire sentence. Mr. Black himself granted me permission to provide this information so it does not interfere with my Healer's Oath."
"Daddy..." I whisper, a tear falling onto the paper, as I shakily stroke my fingertips over the photograph. There he is, Sirius Black - my father, smiling like there is no tomorrow, clutching onto what looks to be his release papers in his left hand, wand in the other. He appears a little worse for wear but I know that's due to all those years he had to endure in Azkaban.
"He's innocent...he's free," I say a little louder, looking up at the two people that I consider my second parents. "Somehow I always knew he was," I tell them with a smile.
"We are very happy for you, sweetie," Renée says, taking hold of my hand and smoothing her thumb over the back.
"And because of this big news, Renée and I have been doing some thinking," he pauses, making sure I'm okay to continue.
"Go on," I urge calmly.
"Well, as you know, your Aunt and myself have lived here for most of our lives and with all that has happened in the past few months," The bastard, Edward...he didn't even have to say it. "We thought that a change of scenery would do us the world of good," I nod, showing that I'm still listening, becoming extremely curious. "We were wondering what you would say to the thought of going to England, permanently?" Charlie finishes.
His announcement freezes me to my chair. "What, live there, in England?" I question, carefully selecting my words, not believing my ears.
"We don't have to, Annie. It was only a suggestion..." Renée assures, misunderstanding my reaction.
"No, no, no...That's not what I meant. I mean, it's a little rash, but hell, who cares? I would love to move to the UK..." I tell them hurriedly. This could be my chance to see my father again!
"Really? We- we wouldn't think you'd agree with us, at least not that quickly," Charlie says, eyes bugging slightly. "What about all of your friends?" he asks frowning, his skin forming creases along his forehead, making his age show through.
"We would never allow something as ridiculous as distance to interfere with our friendship. Besides, we'll have a floo will we not? They can visit whenever they like?" I ask with hope, hopefully solving that problem.
"Of course, they're always welcome. But, you do understand that this means attending Hogwarts, don't you?" Renée presses further. I can see that they are only trying to make me understand fully what this move would mean for us.
"And get to finally meet Harry and possibly Daddy and Remus too - wouldn't miss that kind of opportunity for the world," I state eagerly, reassuring the two people before me.
"Annie, I know that you normal stay around one of your friend's residence for some time during summer break but-"
"Actually, I have a confession to make..." I state, cutting Renée off mid-sentence. They were going to find out eventually but now feels like the right time to do so.
Charlie shifts in his seat. "And what would that be, Annie?" he asks, once a few moments pass.
After glancing at both Renée then at Charlie, clearing my throat, I finally come clean to them. "While seeing my friends' over the summer is the truth, where we have been staying is not entirely the truth," I begin, wringing my hands together on the dining room table in front of me.
"Alright, so where have you been staying exactly?" Renée asks curtly.
"We have still been at a friend's but you don't know them...exactly," I answer carefully.
"Who is this 'friend' of yours then, Annie?" Charlie asks making his own input.
"Eva Prince," I reply firmly, but avoiding eye contact.
Silence is what followed. And more silence. When I decide that both people surrounding me have been far too quiet for my liking, I risk a glance up at them. Their facial expressions resemble ones of shock and their eyes gleaming with something that I couldn't piece together.
"P-Prince?" Renée finally says, making that one word sound like a question.
"Yes, she's our friend in third year," I offer, but it just went straight over their heads.
"Annie, what your Aunt is trying to say is that...Prince...there's only one magical family carrying, well have claim to, that name," Charlie explains. Having been given warning of this information prior to this, I already know what they are both leading this.
"I know..." I say in a small voice, but not beating them around the bush either.
"...What?" Renée gasps, eyes wide. "How?"
"Eva, and her legal guardian, told and explained everything to me," I reveal to them. "And I know that she is at the very least the heiress to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Prince,"
"B-but that would mean..." Renée stammers in shock, while Charlie rests a steady hand over her own to try calming her down. Charlie, I notice, is better at controlling and containing his emotions better than his wife is.
Nodding my head slightly, I answer for her with a small smile, confirming what she was about to say. "Yes, Eva's father is Severus Snape,"
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