"That's a bloody brilliant spell," Harry said as the walked threw the tunnel. He and Sirius were helping Ron limp along and she dragged an unconscious Pettigrew ahead of them. Fred did the same with Snape.
"Thank you, Harry," she smiled. "Daddy, apologize to Ron for what you did to his leg."
"I was getting to that, Nikolyn. You're just like your mum sometimes, y'know that?" Sirius smiled down at Ron. "I am sorry about the bite. I normally have a pleasant disposition as a dog, but I was aiming for the rat."
"Its okay, mate… just never do it again," said Ron, seeming unsure of how to respond.
"Sirius really isn't a bad guy, Ronnikins," assured Fred.
"How Bloody long have you known about him?" asked Ron.
"Since first term. I was trying to help Nikki get Pettigrew," explained Fred, giving his brother a smile.
"That's why we were spending so much time alone together. Figuring out schemes to get the damned rat," added Nikki. "Some of which were so stupid I'm never speaking over again."
"So…you're not really Fred's girlfriend?" asked Harry. "Everyone was making such a fuss because they thought you were." Nikki shook her head and smile. Her back was beginning to ache from being leaned over to drag Pettigrew.
"She could be though," said Fred, smirking over at her.
"Honestly Fred, do you think now if a good time to ask me out?" asked Nikki, looking at him.
"You're not old enough to date, Nikolyn Dorea!" exclaimed Sirius.
"I'm 16, dad," she rolled her eyes. "And I've had plenty of boyfriends." The reached the exit of the tunnel and stepped out. She dragged Pettigrew aside. Fred dropped Snape next to her, and helped get his brother out of the tunnel. Nikki looked up at the sky and stopped. Tonight was full moon. "Everyone, stay where they are!" she exclaimed, beginning to fish threw her pockets, looking for the vial of Wolfsbane potion.
Her mother's paranoia had led to her making Nikki carry around the potion with her as soon as she walk old enough to floo on her own. She'd always been scared Nikki would be stupid enough to floo to Remus' during a full moon, and that Remus would be insane enough to not take his potion. Nikki had been offended at the time for both her and her godfather, but at the moment, she was grateful. She ran back into the tunnel, pushing past Sirius and Harry, making them drop Ron.
"Nikki, what's wrong?" Hermione knitted her eyebrows together.
"Take it, Remus," she shoved the vial into his hands, hers shaking. "Take is now." Remus understood immediately and downed the vial. "Go back to the shack. Now. I'm not sure if the potion's still good. I've been carrying it around since the beginning of last summer." she shoved him back towards the other end.
"It seems that Grace-Ann constant paranoia has paid off," murmured Remus, walking away.
"C'mon, Hermione, we've gotta get out of her and reactivate the Whomping Willow before the moon can get to him," she whispered, taking the younger girl by the arm and leading her out.
"Why did you have a vial of Wolfsbane potion, Nikki?" asked Sirius as she exited with Hermione. Nikki quickly hit the knot on the tree and ran out of the way of the tree.
"Mum's gotten pretty paranoid the past 12 years, dad," she mumbled.
"Stupefy," She looked over at Harry. He'd shot the spell at Pettigrew, whom she'd assumed had been stirring.
"Good job, Harry," she smiled. "Let's get back to the castle." She walked over, and pull out her wand, pointing it at Pettigrew. She mumbled the levitating spell, and made him float a few feet in front of her.
"Where'd you learn that spell?" asked Harry, as Fred levitated Snape. "I can't imagine any of our past professors teaching us anything that good, and Professor Lupin didn't really teach spells like that." Harry added, helping to pick up Ron.
"My cousin Dora's an Auror," she explained. "Show it to me while she was in training."
"Dora?" asked Sirius. "Andromeda's daughter?"
"That's her!" Nikki smiled at her father. "You'll be able to meet her when we prove your innocence. And I'm sure mum'll be happy to see you!" Her eyes flickered to Harry. What would happen to him? Would he come live with them too?
"Lemon drops," Nikki called out to the gargoyle that hid the entrance to the Headmaster's office. Nikki was happy it was after hours, so that they didn't have to worry about other students. Nikki was also happy that she was a prefect, since that met she knew the patrol routes. She levitated Pettigrew up the stairs, and maneuvering to open the door. She stepped in. "Professor Dumbledore, its important." She dropped the rat man on the floor of the headmaster's office, and moved aside to let the others in. Hermione and Fred had taken Ron to the infirmary.
"Ms. Black, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore eyed the scene in front of him. "And Sirius Black. To what do I owe this visit?" Nikki shot her father a look, telling him to keep his mouth shut. Azkaban had done a number on him and he didn't need to be sounding bonkers in front of the headmaster.
"We've captured the man who really betrayed the Potters," she explained, motioning to Pettigrew. "Floo the ministry to come and get him, and clear my father's name, please." Dumbledore stood up and walked over to his fireplace, kneeling down to make a fire-call. Sirius motioned Harry to the side.
"Harry, I don't know if you know this, but when you were born, your parents made me your godfather," she heard her father say.
"I know," Harry responded.
"Well…once all this is over, you could come live with us, if you want," Sirius looked over his shoulder at her. "I'm sure Gracie won't mind, will she?" Nikki shook her head. "Of course, we'll understand if you want to stay with you're Aunt and Uncl-"
"I'd love to come live with you," Harry said happily. Nikki smiled as Dumbledore ended his call. A moment later, the fire flared up and two Aurors stepped in.
"He's there," Dumbledore pointed towards Pettigrew. "You may return later to get everyone's statements, but at the moment, it appears they all need a nice rest in the infirmary." The Aurors grunted, and grabbed Pettigrew. Nikki saw them shoot her father a suspicious look. She felt happy that Albus Dumbledore was on their side.
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore," said her father, smiling at the old Headmaster.
"It seems to me that Nikki did more than me to prove your innocence. The girl has spent her whole year attempting to catch Peter Pettigrew," said Dumbledore with a knowing smile. "Now go to the infirmary. Poppy will be informed of the situation, and I'll floo your wife."
Nikki awoke the next morning in the infirmary, after a very peaceful, dreamless sleep. She sat up and looked around. She smiled at her mother and father, sitting on a bed at the end of the ward, hand in hand. Remus was in a bed nearby, recovering from his transformation the night before. The beds to her right were filled with redheads. George sat next to Fred, grumbling. Percy, the Gryffindor head boy, stood with who she assumed were their father. Their mother was dotting over Ron, and his leg. Ginny was sitting on the edge of Harry's bed, watching the scene with a humored smirk along with Harry and Hermione. Nikki slipped off her bed, and walked up behind Fred, putting an arm around him.
"Morning, mate," she smiled, sitting down. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked at her.
"Fred, is this the girlfriend your brother told us about?" asked Mrs. Weasley. Fred shifted nervously, and peeked at her, before answering.
"Um…"
"I'm Nikki Black, Mrs. Weasley, its nice to meet you," Nikki smiled and held out her hand to the plump redhead woman. "I know you and your husband aren't fond of the idea of your son being with a Slytherin, but honestly, I'm just a Lion among Snakes." Mrs. Weasley smiled and shook her hand.
"I'm Molly Weasley. Its nice to know that Fred's meet a nice, mannered girl."
"Mannered? She turned our hair Green and Silver at the beginning of the year!" exclaimed the twins, George angrily, and Fred with an almost proud smirk on his face. Nikki smiled and wrapped her arms around Fred's neck. She had a feeling she'd be spending a lot more time with the Weasley brood.
"You gonna write me?" asked Fred, arms wrapped around her waist as they stood in Platform 9 and ¾.
"Maybe," she said playfully, kissing his nose. "Are you gonna mind me joining you for the Quidditch World Cup?"
"You're going?" he asked.
"Mum got tickets months ago for us," she smiled. "And Harry told me your dad got tickets too, so we'll be seeing each other there." Fred smiled and kissed her gently.
"I can't wait," he murmured against her lips.
"Nikolyn Dorea, didn't I say you're not old enough to date!" exclaimed a voice behind them. Nikki laughed and let go of Fred, giving him one last playful kiss.
"I'm 16, daddy," she said, picking up her trunk and walking over to her dad. Sirius Black was a free man now, and Peter Pettigrew was in Azkaban. "Plus, I thought you liked Fred?"
"Yeah, Sirius! Why ya suddenly hating me just because I'm snogging your daughter?" asked Fred jokingly.
"At least you're not a Slytherin," sighed Sirius. "C'mon, Nikki, your mum wants to go out for dinner to celebrate you and Harry coming home."
"Okay," She kissed Fred one last time to irk her dad. "Bye, Fred."
"See ya at the Cup." He smiled, then walked away to join his family.
That's the end of this one! Keep an eye out for the sequal!