Disclaimer: If it belongs to JKR, I don't own it.
Second Chances
Chapter seven: I remember
In a small town known simply as 'The Point' it was a common sight to see two young girls, one with fair hair and skin, one with dark.
They would laugh and giggle and sing and talk about nonsense things that nobody paid any attention to and they themselves wouldn't even remember.
"Hey Tahnee?"
"Yeah?"
"Will you remember me in one day?"
"Uh huh."
"Will you remember me in one week?"
"Uh huh."
"Will you remember me in one month?"
"Uh huh."
'Will remember me in one year?"
"Uh huh."
"Knock, knock."
"Who's there?"
"Hey! You forgot me already!"
And they'd laugh and giggle and sing and run off, their words already forgotten.
Remus sat at the kitchen table with a rather bewildered look covering his features. Sirius sat down next to him eating a raw potato covered in either dirt or cinnamon; Remus couldn't tell.
"You shut the shop already Moony? It's still early."
Remus rubbed his temple. "Yes, but I've had a week's worth of excitement."
"Oh? Do tell."
"Well, first this woman comes in. Her hair was really blonde and she had way too many earrings and her accent and the way she talked was so strange I was battling to understand her!"
Sirius chomped his potato and wondered why the description sounded vaguely familiar. Before he could figure it out though, Remus went on.
"Anyway, she bought some stuff and as she was paying for it Lia came in and that's about where I lost track of what was going on."
"Why?"
"Well, they started screaming and jumping about in that way females seem to do and then they left. Lia left behind her coat and I've still got the other woman's things."
"They're probably just old friends."
"Probably. Still, far to much confusion for my liking."
"You taught adolescent teenagers, Moony; I'd have thought you'd be used to confusion. All those mood swings and note passing, not to mention the inability to do homework"
Remus laughed. "And I never could see the appeal in sneaking away to the astronomy tower late at night."
"Where've you been, Padfoot?"
"I have been many places, Wormtail old chap, how can I name just one?"
"I bet you and Lia sneaked off to the astronomy tower again, didn't you?"
Sirius blinked and the short memory (could it even be called a memory?) vanished. He shook his head in an effort to clear it and walked away, leaving Remus right back where he started: confused.
Tahnee and I talked for hours. I went first and told her everything, starting from my first day of Hogwarts, right up to walking into Remus' shop and seeing her standing there.
"I don't think I'm remembering everything," I told her. "I wrote it down, but I don't know where I put it."
Then it was her turn. "It was weird, you know how I get those feelings, that something is wrong?"
"Your inner eye?" I teased, impossibly glad to be teasing Tahnee again.
"Yes, you cynic, my inner eye. Anyway, I was in detention, I don't remember what I did, and I got one of my feelings. I'd been getting them for a few weeks, I think I told you about it in a letter, but this was the strongest, it nearly knocked me off my feet. So I raced up to my dorm and found Nona sitting on my desk with a letter from you."
She pulled an old piece of paper from her pocket that had obviously been folded and re-folded many times and passed it to me.
Dear Tahnee,
This is most probably the last letter I'm ever going to write to you. You remember when we were kids and we promised each other that whoever died first, would make sure they'd say good-bye to the other before they went, no matter what? Well, this is it. I'm saying goodbye. Because I am going to die; I don't know when exactly, but soon. I hope you get a better go at life then me, Tahnee dear.
love forever
Lia.
I grinned. "Slightly melodramatic, isn't it?"
Tahnee shook her head. "Yeah, well I was nearly frantic when I read it. My guts where churning and my legs were shaking; I just wanted to crawl under my bed and cry, you know what I'm saying?"
I nodded.
"Anyway, Clar and Sarah-Jane came in, and Sara-Jane asked me what was wrong and I said, 'something's the matter with Lia.' She looked at me and said, 'who?' I thought she was joking, and I didn't have time for jokes. So I quickly wrote a letter to you and sent it off with Nona. A few days later she brought it back."
Tahnee sighed. "God, it was awful! Everybody I spoke to had no idea who you were. Even Celia! I read through the student files and there was no record of you even going to Ombigono and on the holidays I broke into your house and your room was empty! Everybody thought I'd gone insane; Mother sent me to heaps of therapists and what have you, Muggle and wizard ones. Fat lot of help that turned out to be. In the end, I left and hitched around Australia and saved up enough money so I could fly here and try to finally get some answers. I really didn't think I'd find you."
I tried not to think of the hell Tahnee must have gone through and said, "I wonder how you can remember me. Though I'm glad you do."
"Yeah, me too. It have been easier if you would've just told me what was going on then and not now!"
She threw a pillow at my head and I forgot that I was a woman of thirty five and became fifteen again.
After the excitement and elation of meeting Tahnee again and being able to talk to somebody about everything, turning my attention back to work seemed like a crime.
Especially since Hagrid's class noted clearly noted that his sixth year Ravenclaw / Hufflepuffs were due for their lesson on griffins. Tahnee went with me to catch one. Since our chaotic reunion we'd spent as much time together as possible, and she was eager to see a real griffin. I personally thought only an idiot would want to see a real griffin. But that's just me.
I decided we should check out the Forbidden Forest first, as that's were I'd found the only griffin I'd ever seen. Tahnee was delighted at the prospect of meeting so many mean and nasty animals. I'd forgotten how twisted she could be.
"Have you ever been in here before?" she asked, standing on her tiptoes and looking about, probably trying to catch a glimpse of a Neptune Human Trap or something equally lethal.
"Yeah, twice. Both times ended with screaming and terror."
"You say that like it's a bad thing."
I lit up my wand and Tahnee did the same. Together we moved along the winding and sometimes non-existent path.
"Lia, what exactly are we looking for?"
"A griffin."
"Well, yes, but how do we find one?"
"I don't know. Hagrid's notes didn't say. The only griffin I've ever seen was here, and he won't still be here because he's dead."
"Well, say we find one, we don't want to kill it right? So what do we do?"
"Hagrid was planning to have his dog Fang catch one, then put it in chains. But he had written down a verse, he said that if you recite it in the presence of a griffin, he will have to grant you one request, but the griffin has to be able to understand you. Enter me."
"Fair enough. But what if it doesn't work?"
"We kill it. A dead griffin is the best griffin if you ask me."
"That wasn't very nice."
I shrugged, "who cares about nice?"
Tahnee gave me an odd look. "What?"
"I said, who cares abo-"
"I know what you said, but why did you say it?"
"What do you mean...." I trailed off and looked around me. "I think we've found our griffin."
"Really? Where?" She looked about and I signaled for her to be quiet.
"You are a strange one. I hear your words and you hear mine. Odd."
"Yeah, real strange. Are you going to hide all day, or do I actually get to see you?"
The bushes gave a rustle and the griffin stepped majestically into view.
Tahnee gasped. "My God, he's beautiful!"
I resisted the urge to run, or scream, or the kill the damn thing and held my wand steadily in front of me. "Don't kill me, I'm in Gryffindor."
The griffin inspected me, "Yes. You are of the griffin. But your friend, she is not of the four."
"No."
"Then she is not an enemy, nor is she a friend. I will kill her."
I jumped in front of Tahnee. "No, you won't."
"I don't think you are in the position to stop me, strange one."
It took a few menacing steps towards Tahnee and I acted. I focused on my friend and put my long unused powers to work. Tahnee gave a startled cry and rose out of reach of the griffin. The griffin growled and I quickly recalled the verse Hagrid had jotted down in his notes."Of the griffin do I ask
Naught but to fulfill my task.
Of the griffin I demand
One labor 'til he free may stand."
I swear the griffin scowled; he was definitely giving me the evil eye as I lowered Tahnee back to the ground. "Very well, strange one. But remember, you can only command me once, request wisely."
Ron sat thoughtfully in the common room, pondering the greatest mystery of his life. Which did he hate more: Draco Malfoy or homework? Normally, he would be inclined to answer Malfoy everytime, but that was before Snape had seen fit to assign them a one thousand word essay on memory potions. He wasn't even sure they'd done memory potions. And to add insult to injury, Hermione was somewhere that was else, and unable to help him.
"Honestly," he complained to Harry, who was having as much trouble as he was, "what right does she have anyway? Gallivanting around the place when she's needed here."
"You are talking about Hermione, right?"
"Yes!"
Harry looked ready to say something, but before he could the portrait hole swung open and the aforementioned girl stepped through.
"Where have you been?"
Hermione sat down next to Harry. "I've been in the library, Ron."
Why doesn't that surprise me?
"Were you doing the potions essay? And if you were, can I copy it?"Hermione shook her head. "I did that essay weeks ago, and no you may not copy it. I was just getting out a book to read in my spare time." She reached down into her book bag and dropped a large book on top of Ron's work with a thump.
Harry lent over and read the title. "A Brief Overview of Magical Sub-Humans. Uh... Sounds interesting."
Ron snorted and Hermione ignored him. "Oh, it is! There's a really large section on werewolves you might like to read, and one on Sabi, too."
Ron sighed. "That's all well and good, but can you help me with my essay now?"
Hermione moved her book so she could help Ron, and Harry picked up it up and began thumbing through.
I liked teaching the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. They generally got along, so there was none of subtle (or non-subtle, in some cases) remarks you tended to hear when the Gryffindors and Slytherins got together.
They arrived together and on time, and gave the rather sour-looking griffin standing by my side curious looks.
"Hello everyone," I smiled. "Have a seat."
We all sat on the grass (desks and chairs don't go well outside) and a Hufflepuff girl raised her hand.
"Yes, Tiffany?"
"Is that a griffin?"
I nodded.
"Aren't they kind of... dangerous?"
"Normally yes, but don't worry. This lil' cutie wouldn't hurt a fly," I smirked at the griffin and patted him on the side. "Would you?"
"You will pay for humiliating me, strange one!"
I rolled my eyes and turned attention back to my class. "Like I have already said, this is a griffin. Most griffins are very dangerous, so I wouldn't go looking for one, but there are charms to ensure they behave."
The lesson continued, and the only unpleasantness came from the direction of the griffin, who assured me I was going to die a slow and painful death when we met again.
I was shivering in my boots.
After the lesson I gladly sent the griffin on his not-so-merry way, and made my way back to the castle. I was on my way to the Great Hall for dinner when I was knocked over by Hermione Granger, who hadn't seen me coming on a account of the large book her nose had been buried in.
"I'm sorry, Professor; I wasn't watching where I was going!"
I smiled at her and retrieved her book. "That's quite all right, Hermione. 'A Brief Overview of Magical Sub-Humans.' Interesting choice of reading."
Hermione took the book. "It really is interesting. I'm reading a section on Sabi, and it's really very intriguing!" She paused. "Do you believe there are still some out there?"
"Sabi?"
"Yeah."
I smiled. "I think anything's possible Hermione. Now let's hurry, before we miss dinner all together."
Sirius sat at the table, enjoying the last of the jam on his toast, waiting for the post to arrive. He was due for a letter from Harry and if he didn't get one, people would be hurt. Well, maybe not, but the jam toast didn't stand a chance.
"Morning, Padfoot," Remus sat down at the table. "You're up early. It's mail day, isn't it?"
Sirius nodded, casting another look in the direction of the window. "Here it comes now."
Ten minutes later, two owls flew through the window, one of which was Hedwig.
Sirius snatched up Hedwig's letter immediately and tore into it.
Dear Snuffles,
How are you? Things are good here; still no sign from Voldemort, at least none that I've seen. Do you know anything?
Ron and Hermione fight constantly. Or at least, Ron tries to fight constantly. Hermione won't have a bar of it.
How's Professor Lupin? Is his store going well? I hope you're being extra careful, with all those people who must be hanging around, buying herbs and such.
I'd better go, I have Quidditch practice in five minutes. The first game's only a few weeks away. I can't wait!
love,
Harry.
Sirius sighed, feeling a renewed feeling of worry and love for his godson, and turned to Remus. "Who's the other letter from?"
Remus re-folded the parchment he'd been reading. "My father. He's in London for a few days and wants me to go see him."
Sirius grinned at the thought of unlimited ham and banana sandwiches. "When do you leave?"
Remus sighed. "I'm not sure I should. I can't really afford to close the shop for a few days, and I might attract some attention dragging a big black dog all over London."
"I'm a big boy, Moony; you can leave me here. No big parties, I promise. And it wouldn't hurt to close the shop; how often do you get to see your dad?"
"All right already, you've convinced me. I'll go this afternoon. Just promise me you won't leave the house."
"You have my word." Sirius grinned. "I think."
"Sirius!"
"Ok, ok. I will not leave the house. How long will you be gone for?"
"Not long. I'll catch the train home tomorrow night. Think you can look after yourself for that long?"
"I'll try."
Remus rolled his eyes and reached for the jar of jam.
After classes finished for the day, I decided to visit Remus and pick up my jacket that I'd left there after seeing Tahnee. I stopped in at the Three Broomsticks on my way.
"Hi," I said, sitting on a stool, watching Tahnee wash and wipe glasses.
"Hey," she said grinning, "come to buy a drink? I'm bored."
"No, sorry; just popped in to say hello. I'm going to visit Remus and Snuffles."
"Remus... One of your old friends from Hogwarts?"
"Yeah."
"Who's Snuffles?"
"His dog."
She nodded. "I've been meaning to ask you... Have you heard what Sirius did?" She looked and sounded like she was talking around a large lump in her throat.
I nodded, wondering if I should tell her the true story. I decided to think it over.
Tahnee sighed. "I was so shocked when I heard. I mean, I was glad You-Know-Who was dead, but Sirius? I never saw it coming."
I shrugged, and searched my mind for a change of subject. "Did you know," I said, "I used to work here?"
"Really?"
"Yeah, when I first arrived back."
"Then how did you end up teaching?"
After I explained the whole story, Tahnee shook her head. "A Dark Mark? Intense."
I nodded. "While we're on this subject, what happened to the old gang, Sarah-Jane and Clar and even Celia?"
Tahnee sighed. "I kind of lost touch with everyone after I supposedly went insane. But last I heard Sarah-Jane was married with a little girl and Celia was traveling the world. And Clar..." Tahnee sighed again and put down the glass. "She was killed, in the first year of Voldemort's reign."
I shook my head, strangely devoid of emotion. Just another death I'd caused. Tahnee gripped my shoulder, "It's not your fault, Lia; none of this is."
I shrugged and stood up. "See you later, Tahnz."
I headed in the direction of Remus' house, wondering why I couldn't cry.
Sirius watched Remus Disapparate and was visited by the unwelcome memory of his father leaving for the last time when he was a kid. Somehow, Sirius found himself in his room, going through the box of his things he'd managed to salvage after Azkaban. Deep down in the bottom, stashed away where they were liable to be lost, was a small bundle of photos.
The first was of his mother and father on their wedding day, the next was Sirius and his mother on Sirius' first day at a Muggle school. He kept sorting through various photographs until he found one that made him stopped. It was of his father, during his school days. He was standing with his arms around a girl who looked familiar. A pitcher of water floated above her head, threatening to tip. His grin was not unlike Sirius' own when he was up to no good.
I knocked on the door and waited for an answer. When I got none, I knocked again. I figured Remus and Sirius where out, but I didn't see the harm of just quickly popping in and grabbing my coat. It was probably in the hall and if not, I would just go home.
If Clar had of been there she would have gone in without thinking and not left until she had what she was looking for.
But Clar wasn't there.
I pushed open the door, and sure enough, my coat hung over a chair in the hall. I grabbed it and turned to leave, but curiosity got the better of me.
Sirius' bed at Hogwarts was always a mess; I wondered if his room was the same. It wouldn't hurt anyone if I had a quick look. I wouldn't touch anything...
Sirius wasn't sure of how long he stared at the photo, but he figured it must have been a while because his legs stared to cramp and his stomach started to grumble. He stood up, wincing as his knees cracked and made for the door. He opened it and came face to face with Lia Strummings.
Sirius jumped and he thought fast for something to say. For the first time in his life, he came up with nothing.
Lia looked him in the eye, not with the fear and hatred he would have expected, but with sadness. She looked down at the photo in his hand.
"That's my mum."
Sirius' hands began to shake, looking at the woman in front of him. "I remember."
Authors note: Are you all happy now? Will you stop bugging me? *grins* The next part will be out as soon as my muse allows it to be written. It's school holidays now, so it shouldn't take too long.
