The map. The one he'd heard about his entire life- the map. And here it was, laying open on his Godfather's desk, after years of being told it had been lost near the end of his seventh year... It was there. Mattox may have missed the thing entirely had it not aged look to the parchment that caused him to wonder if his Uncle Remus had found the Marauder's Map. It was really the stuff of legend for him, hearing tales of his uncles and father in their wild and misguided youth as they snuck about the castle both as wizards and humans, hidden beneath an invisibility cloak and using the Map to keep away from trouble. So it was almost unreal when he got to speak the words 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good' out loud and activate it, though the small victory was short lived. There, as he looked over the grounds of Hogwarts, he saw his name- well, his last name. Along with his uncle's, cousin's and his friends, and Peter Pettigrew- a name which shouldn't be there at all. Thinking quickly, because he'd been conditioned to do so by his mother, he transfigured the goblet left abandoned on the desk that contained Remus' wolfsbane potion into a vial which would then be slipped into his pocket, then he took off for the Whomping Willow.
Remus had included this tree in the stories too. The stories he told of better days that were his guide into dreams. Carefully, Mattox ducked into the zone closest to the tree and touched the knot on the tree- stopping the hostile branches from swinging wildly about. This had to be the way, the path that took his father and friends to the Shrieking Shack where his uncle had transformed while getting an education. The tunnel was just as he'd been told, a narrow passage, draped in moss and spider webs from lack of use- but it was too long before he could hear voices coming from the other side. Someone was shouting-
"I'll not be waiting another moment!" Was the last thing said when Mattox entered the room, having ran full speed up the steps, not completely sure what the plan would be when he got into the shack. Suddenly, seeing just what he'd walked in to- Mattox was now frozen. The room had been tense already- but the man who had been yelling before- the dirty man in ripped prison robes- had stopped mid-sentence and was staring with his mouth hung open. It was only a brief second that their eyes met, but in that instant Mattox knew just where his had came from. In a flash Remus had taken Mattox and forced him back, hiding him behind himself.
"What the bloody fuck is going on!?" Mattox demanded, the reality of everything finally setting in as the blood pumping in his ears faded.
"Language, young man." Remus growled, but he didn't focus on that issue. "It's a bit complica-"
"What's your name, boy?" Black ask, staggering forward, his eyes still set on the boy. Mattox shook his head and stepped back.
"Uncle Remus..." Mattox stuttered out, backing against the wall.
"YOUR NAME?" Sirius bellowed now, and Remus stepped more forward.
"Not important at the moment- focus on what your here for." Remus firmly tried to remind Sirius, who shook his head.
"I deserve that much." Sirius mumbled pacing. Remus turned back to find that Mattox had drawn his wand and turned it on his father.
"Son, put that up." Remus said calmly. "You're confused, and upset, I know that. But when have I ever told you wrong?" Remus' voice was gentle, the way he'd always spoken to Mattox when he was a small boy and Remus watched him while his mother worked. Slowly, Mattox lowered his wand and looked over to where his cousin and schoolmates were, seeing Ron's injury. Remus placed his hands on Mattox's shoulders and sighed. "What... How are you even here?"
"You left out the map." Mattox said innocently. "It was deactivated, but you'd told me how to work it in your stories. I just- I was afraid..." The boy looked down, still stammering. Sirius tried to step closer, but Remus blocked him.
"Map? The Marauder's Map?" Harry ask, speaking up for the first time since Mattox entered the shack. "How does he know-"
"We made it." Remus sighed, rubbing his face roughly over with his hands. "Your father, Sirius, Peter Pettigrew and I- we made it."
"You- you're..." Harry stammered, causing Sirius to step back into the conversation.
"Moony, which you can probably guess thanks to your little friend, is your Professor. I'm Padfoot, so named due to my canine animagus. Your dad, Harry- he was Prong's, animagus of a stag. Peter- He's the rat. Wormtail. That rat." He pointed at Ron's chest, where a small lump of fur was cradled against the young wizard's shirt.
"Scabbers?" Ron squealed. "You're mental. He's been in my family for-"
"Twelve years? Awfully long life for a field rat..." Sirius finished with a chilling smile. Harry glanced over at Mattox, being careful not to give his name, which it was obvious he didn't want done.
"Alright, mate?" He ask. Mattox nodded. Harry moved over to his best friend's side and took the rat from Ron's arms, at which point the rodent struggled with all his might to get free of human clutches. "Show us."
Though he knew she was coming, Mattox was nervous to see his mother. She'd be beyond furious that he'd met his father- on any terms at all. He was curled up in the floor near his Uncle's nearly empty desk, eyes never leaving the fire place. Remus continued to move around the room, slowly packing away his things. "You shouldn't have to go." He said quietly, lifting his head from where he'd rested it on his knees. Remus smiled, a smile he always did when he knew Mattox was bothered.
"Matt, there are very few people besides your mum who wouldn't complain about my teaching, I'm afraid." He stopped and glanced at the Map on the desk. "Oh, this should be interesting. Your mum and Harry will both be here right about-" He stopped, turning to the door. "Hello Harry. I saw you coming." He said, as Harry entered the room slowly, almost cautiously.
"You- were you sacked?" Harry ask, obviously upset by the state of Remus' office.
"He resigned. Things parents won't want him." Mattox piped up. Harry was about to speak when the floo burst forth a set of green flames which gave way to a woman with auburn-red hair, who put Harry very much in mind of his mother. "Hey mum." Mattox said as the woman squatted before the boy, taking his face in her hands. She seemed oblivious to Harry being in the room. After looking her son over and being insured he was alright, she looked up at Remus.
"You could at least take the time to rest." She scolded. Remus chuckled.
"I'll rest at home. In the mean time, there is something that I'm afraid is gravely overdue." Remus nodded for Violet to look behind her, where she turned to see Harry standing awkwardly by. "Vi- This is..."
"Harry." She breathed. Her face paled, and she smiled in a way that made Harry wonder why she looked so heartbroken.
"Harry, this is Violet Evans. She's your mother's younger sister." Remus said, standing back and making sure Mattox remained quiet. Harry looked first very confused, then very angry. He took a step back from the witch before him.
"No. She's dead. My Aunt Petunia said she died when I was nearly three..." Violet swallowed and shook her head.
"No, sweet boy. I don't know why she told you that, but it's not true." Harry stood stone still, obviously trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
"Where have you been?" He ask suddenly, his voice very angry.
"Harry- Don't. She nearly lost her home trying to afford fighting Petunia and the Ministry for you. It's not her fault. They put in a no contact order, that only stood as long as you knew nothing of magic. Then Dumbledore fought her to keep you at Petunia's again because he feels its safer." Remus hoped this was a good explanation, for he knew Violet hadn't even told Mattox the entire story, and it wasn't his to reveal.
"Harry-" Violet tried to speak, but a sob overtook her, then her nephew's arms were around her in a tight hug.
"I have a real family." He said, his own voice choked with tears. Violet nodded, then held an arm out for Mattox to come to her, and the three shared in the moment.
"You do." Mattox said. "And I don't have to keep that secret anymore." He laughed. Violet stepped back and looked over where Remus continued to put away his things.
"Boys, give us a moment please." She ask, and both stepped out of the office. Violet looked Remus over.
"Dumbledore said he wants you to stay. He says he won't officially accept the resignation until August, if he absolutely has to." Remus didn't reply right away, so she tried to make more conversation. "You really expect me to accept-"
"I don't expect anything from you, Vi. I never have, it doesn't do any good." It made her laugh, but it didn't get Remus off the hook. He sighed when he felt her eyes still on him. "I just can't stay, alright. There is too much I need to do."
"You're not coming home?" She ask, suddenly catching his meaning.
"Someone has to help him, Vi. I know you hate it, and I know you don't accept it. But he is innocent. And someone has to help him." Violet shook her head.
"You didn't ask if I would." she said quietly.
"I didn't think you'd want to." Remus replied quickly. "You don't to."
"I think I probably need- I at least want to see him." Violet said finally. She wrapped her arms around herself tightly. "I need to hear it for myself. To know for myself that I wasn't wrong."
"He doesn't want to see you while he's- And he's right, Vi. You don't need to see him like this." Remus said quietly, pulling her to him in a comforting embrace. "I'll nurse him for a bit, clean him up. Then I'll be home and we'll go from there." He promised.
Hey everyone! I know it's been a while, its been CRAZY for me. I hope you're all alright- and all still enjoying the story. Please, please PLEASE give a review as this chapter made me nervous. Thanks!
