Chapter 13

It was the weekend of the last Quidditch match against Slytherin and the whole school was in animated spirits. Most of the Gryffindors were now speaking to me and even some Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. It seemed that each day more and more people came round, although I suspect that it had a lot to do with Fred, George and Harry. Once people knew we were still friends they were much more inclined to follow their example.

Blaise, too, had managed to keep most of the Slytherins at bay however they weren't just after me. They were after the whole Gryffindor team. Never, in anyone's memory, had a match approached in such a highly charged atmosphere. By the time Easter was over, the tensions between the two teams were at breaking point.

I'd got detention for fighting with Warrington: a Slytherin Chaser, for the fourth time that week. I wasn't bothered though because he was currently in the hospital wing with leeks sticking out of his ears.

Everyone was applauding the team as we entered the Great Hall. Even Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were cheering us on. Before I knew it we were down in the changing rooms, clutching our brooms and getting ready to go out onto the pitch.

We walked out onto the field to a tidal wave of noise and the deafening chant of "GO GO GRYFFINDOR." I looked across the pitch to see seven green players walking towards us. Sweet Merlin! When had the Slytherin team ever been that… well enormous. From the manic looks on their faces, this was going to be a dirty game.

The whistle blew and we were off. I snatched the Quaffle from the air and had never passed so fast in my life. I was rammed by both Slytherin beaters, Flint; the Keeper and two Chasers. I hovered in midair, shaking my sore head and shot off down the field. I lost count of how many passes I did and how many times I soared up and down the pitch.

I grabbed the Quaffle and… I scored! I punched the air as the sea of scarlet screamed its delight, but was almost thrown off as twenty stone of pure muscle smashed into me. Flint smirked but smashed his nose into the handle of his broom when Fred's beater's club hit him in the back of his head.

After another ten minutes I was sick of getting fouled every five seconds and swerved round to fly right at Warrington. I smacked into him with as much force as I could muster and he went careering into the stands. I took the Quaffle as my own and looped Flint, kicking him in the leg for good measure, and chucked it through the hoop.

I couldn't concentrate on the game, at the moment I was trying to concentrate on staying alive. I screamed in pain as a Bludger collided with my back with a sickening crunch. I was momentarily stunned, when another came and crushed into my stomach. I dropped the Quaffle completely winded and almost slipped from my broom. George grabbed me and his eyes flashed red.

He went at Bole with his club raised but I beat him to it. I grabbed George's club and aimed a Bludger coming my way straight at Bole and it hit him squarely in his crotch. I didn't care when he fell from his broom and landed spread eagled on the grass below. I didn't care that Slytherin was awarded a penalty. I was just glad he probably wouldn't be able to have kids.

The game just got dirtier. There was biting, elbowing, smacking, hitting, swearing and even wands drawn. No one was listening to Madame Hooch anymore, everyone was just doing whatever they could to win. When Flint grabbed the end of Katie's broom and pulled her off I punched him with such force, I thought I'd broke my hand. I'd definitely broken some of his teeth.

There was such as explosion I thought fifty wands had backfired but as I turned round Harry zoomed towards me, fist raised, clutching the fluttering snitch. I screamed into his neck, practically strangling him when Wood joined us, sobbing into Harry's shoulder. The others slammed into us grabbing us into a team hug.

Wave upon wave of crimson supporters were pouring over the barriers onto the field. Hands were raining down on our backs as we managed to get back to the ground, only to be hoisted onto the shoulders of the crowd. I couldn't stop beaming.

Hagrid was there plastered with crimson rosettes, Percy, jumped up and down like a maniac, all dignity forgotten, Professor McGonagall was sobbing harder even than Wood, wiping her eyes with an enormous Gryffindor flag; and there, fighting their way towards us, were Ron and Hermione. Dumbledore stood waiting with the enormous Quidditch Cup and as the team lifted the cup into the air and burst of red and gold confetti rained down on us, the Gryffindors roaring as loud as lions.

As June approached, the days became cloudless and sultry, and all anybody felt like doing was strolling onto the grounds and flopping down on the grass with several pints of iced pumpkin juice. And every opportunity I had, I did just that.

Since the match Harry and I had been getting on a whole lot better but it was the day of Buckbeak's execution and we were meeting Hermione and Ron in the courtyard so we could all go to Hagrid's, our moods sombre. But Malfoy was there before us.

"Father said I can keep the hippogriff's head." He sneered "I'll donate it to the Gryffindors common room!"

Now was my chance for revenge. I stormed towards him pulling out my wand. Malfoy had his cronies with him but I was surprised to see Blaise standing a little way off, scowling at Malfoy.

"Ah! Come to see the show?" he jeered.

"You! You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach!" I shouted, pointing my wand at his throat. He cowered from it and my wand began to singe his robes, creating a small hole.

"Allie, no!" cried Ron "He's not worth it."

I lowered my wand. But there was no way Malfoy was getting away with this. He was going to pay for what he did to me. I pulled my arm back and smacked him squarely in the face. He crumpled, moaning in pain.

I grinned ruthlessly as his lackeys pulled him up and they scarpered away from me. That had felt good. The boys looked at me flabbergasted and a little uneasily. Hermione looked torn between disapproval and admiration.

"Well if you hadn't done it Allie, I would have." she smirked. Blaise stuck his thumbs up as we ran past and I winked. Our good mood however was dampened as we got to Hagrid's cabin.

Hagrid was in pieces. He wasn't crying nor did he throw himself at our necks. Rather he just looked… lost. He tried to make tea but he dropped the milk jug and a few teacups. I helped Hermione make tea, anything to stop feeling so useless. There was nothing we could do to help Hagrid.

Hermione found Scabbers hiding in one of the teacups and I thought Ron and Hermione would argue again but a large rock came flying through the window and broke the last teacup. I picked it up just as another hit Harry on the back of his head.

"Ouch!" he said turning round, looking out of the window, "They're here!"

We whipped around. A group of men was walking down the distant castle steps. We had to leave however much we wanted to stay and be there for Hagrid. It was almost dark as we slipped under Harry's Invisibility Cloak he'd brought and hurried away from the hut.

"Hurry," moaned Hermione. We started up the sloping lawn toward the castle. The sun was sinking fast now; the sky had turned to a clear, purple-tinged grey, but to the west there was still a ruby-red glow.

Scabbers struggled against Ron's grip, going berserk and in one deft movement sunk his teeth into Ron's hand. Scabbers abruptly leapt out of Ron's hand and ran off into the night, something big and ginger, streaking after it. It was luckily it was quite dark as Ron went chasing after him.

"Crookshanks!" cried Hermione.

"No!" shouted Harry who sprinted after him but both boys stood stock still as, without warning, the unmistakable swish and thud of an axe sounded through the night. Hermione swayed on the spot.

"They did it!" she whispered, clutching me. "I d—don't believe it—they did it!"

I pulled Hermione away as Ron swore after Crookshanks. We chased after them until we found Ron sprawled on the floor, clutching the rat.

"Merlin, Ron." I panted "If that rat isn't dead yet, it will be, cause I'm gonna kill it!"

"Shh." Harry silenced me. The soft pounding of gigantic paws coming closer and closer. Something was bounding toward us, quiet as a shadow- an enormous, pale-eyed, jet-black dog. It made an enormous leapt and leapt clean over me, towards Ron.

The dog's jaws clamped around Ron's leg and began dragging him away. Before I could even shout his name, something, with the force of a thousand hippogriff kicks, smacked into my stomach and sent me flying. I lay winded listening to the other two cry out in pain and land, one next to me, another on me. We had chased Scabbers into the shadow of the Whomping Willow.

The branches whipped around as we darted around trying to get to a hole in the base of the trunk. Something smacked me round the head and another on my hip. Hermione was caught on the shoulder, not being as athletic as me or Harry was getting her no where. I saw a gap and lunged for it, skidding down the small narrow tunnel onto a damp stone floor. I tried to stand but Harry came next, landing on top of me.

"Oh Merlin, you're heavy Harry." I groaned.

"Sorry-" but next came Hermione. I grunted as she landed on us both.

"Bloody hell," I said breathlessly as they quickly got off me. "I think I just coughed up my spleen."

We found ourselves in a long tunnel which we followed cautiously. Crookshanks sped past us leading us on. It hurt to run bent over due to the low ceiling but finally we reached a small opening. It led to a small room, with paper was peeling from the walls; there were stains all over the floor; every piece of furniture was broken as though somebody had smashed it and the windows were all boarded up.

"Guys," Hermione whispered, "I think we're in the Shrieking Shack."

At that moment, there was a creak overhead. Something had moved upstairs. Swallowing back my fear at what I might find, we crept through the dilapidated house. There was a loud moan as we reached the top of the staircase. Harry pulled me back and raised his wand, going first.

He kicked the door wide open and we raced in upon seeing Ron on the floor clutching his leg. I was almost sick as I saw the blood congealing on his calf which was stuck out at an unnatural angle.

"Ron- are you okay?" I said, dropping beside him. "Where's the dog?"

"Not a dog," Ron moaned. His teeth were gritted with pain. "Harry, it's a trap… he's the dog... he's an Animagus."

I stood slowly and turned at the others gasps. With a snap, the man in the shadows closed the door behind us. A mass of filthy, matted hair hung to his shoulders. Azkaban jail robes hung limply from his skinny body and cold, gray eyes shone lifelessly from a pale, waxy face. It was Sirius Black.

"Expelliarmus!" he croaked, pointing Ron's wand at us. Luckily mine was still in my back pocket but I couldn't use it even if I wanted to. I couldn't believe my eyes. I was half hidden behind Harry and had never been more scared than that moment.

As Black spoke Harry glared, livid. He lunged for Black, but I grabbed his arm and stood in front of him pushing him back.

"No Harry, please." I said pushing at his chest. With as much courage as I could muster I turned to face Black and tried to keep my voice steady. "If you want to kill Harry, you'll have to kill us too!"

Something flickered in Black's shadowed eyes as he concentrated on my face. This was it. Recognition passed over his face. I held my breath as he whispered my name.

"Allie?" I was still struggling to keep Harry back, but my eyes never left Black's face. It was scary. I actually did look like him. We had the same nose, eyes and lips. He came forwards, his hands outstretched.

"Don't touch me." I spat, venomously. He recoiled like I'd slapped him. Hermione gripped my arm and pulled me back slightly. Black turned from me, his face hidden and raised the wand again.

"There'll be only one murder here tonight,"

"Then it will be you!" Harry wrenched out of my grip and I was knocked roughly to the floor "HE KILLED MY MUM AND DAD!"

Hermione screamed as Harry collided with Black, his fist rammed into the side of his head. They fell backwards onto the floor, Harry punching anything he could find. Black's leg caught my side and I cringed in pain. Crookshanks flew into the fray spitting and scratching. Pulling myself up along the wall, I whipped out my wand but Black's free hand had found Harry's throat.

"No," he hissed, "I've waited too long-" The fingers tightened, Harry choked, his glasses askew.

"Don't!" I cried, my wand pointed directly at Black's head "Let him go!"

But his hand just grasped tighter. I kicked his head as hard as I could and he let out a grunt of pain then I threw a slashing hex at his stomach. Hermione was struggling for the wands and Ron had flung himself on the floor and grabbed his own.

Harry found his wand and with a shaking arm fixed it on Black. Ron was crawling to the four poster bed, his face twisted in pain and Hermione was by his side, her lip bleeding. I held my wand limply at my side as Harry advanced forwards, his wand pointing straight at Black's heart.

"Going to kill me, Harry?" he whispered. Harry stopped right above him, his wand still pointing at Black's chest, looking down at him. I saw the inner turmoil in Harry's eyes. As much as Black would deserve whatever he got I couldn't let Harry kill him.

"Harry-"

"You killed my parents," said Harry, his voice shaking slightly, but his wand hand quite steady.

"I don't deny it," he said very quietly. "But if you knew the whole story."

"The whole story?" I repeated, disgusted. "You sold them to Voldemort. How could you?"

"You've got to listen to me, Allie, please," Black said, and there was a note of urgency in his voice now. "You'll regret it if you don't... You don't understand..."

"I understand a lot better than you think," said Harry, and his voice shook more than ever. I put my hand on his arm and stepped up beside him.

"Harry, please-"

At that moment Crookshanks leapt up onto Black's chest, covering his heart. Harry's grip on his wand tightened. I squeezed his arm again and he glanced at me.

"He's not worth," I said slowly "Don't become like him." Harry looked at me painfully. His wand faltered and shook. "We'll give him to the Dementors. You don't have to do this."

"But my parents-" he said his voice breaking slightly. I closed my eyes and backed away looking towards Black.

"Fine." but Harry wouldn't do it now, I was sure of it. He was still frozen, wand poised. The seconds lengthened and Harry slowly lowered his wand.

"WE'RE UP HERE!" Hermione screamed suddenly. "WE'RE UP HERE- SIRIUS BLACK- QUICK!"

I jumped and whirled round. Footsteps thundered up the steps, the door burst open and Moony came hurtling into the room, his face bloodless. I moved forward to run to him but he raised his wand and shouted 'Expelliarmus'. I stood gobsmacked. Why would he disarm us?

"Where is he, Sirius?" I frowned at Moony. Who was he talking about? Black slowly raised his hand and pointed at Ron. Moony stared at Black with such intensity, his eyes widening. Black nodded slowly.

"Moony," I interrupted loudly, "what's going on -?"

But I never finished the question as Moony walked to Black's side, seized his hand, pulled him to his feet and embraced Black like a brother. My breath caught in my throat and shakily I backed away.

"Moony- no-" I stuttered. Both men turned towards me. Black gripped Moony's arm staring at me hard.

"Is it- is that really her?" I scowled at them both a finally my hand came into contact with Harry behind me.

"Yes, that's Allie." Moony sighed. I felt sick. I didn't want to look at either of them.

"I DON'T BELIEVE IT!" Hermione screamed. "You- you- you and him!"

"I trusted you," I shouted at Lupin, my voice wavering, out of control, "and all the time you've been his friend!"

"You're wrong," said Lupin. "I haven't been Sirius's friend, but I am now- Let me explain..."

"NO!" Hermione screamed. "Harry, Allie, don't trust him, he's been helping Black get into the castle, he wants you dead too- he's a werewolf!"

There was a ringing silence. I glared at him. I couldn't believe it was true, not until it came from his own mouth. Lupin, who looked remarkably calm, though rather pale, looked at each of us before sighing.

"Not at all up to your usual standard, Hermione," he said. "Only one out of three, I'm afraid. I have not been helping Sirius get into the castle and I certainly don't want Harry or Allie dead." An odd shiver passed over his face. "But I won't deny that I am a werewolf."

"So it's true?" I blanched "It was true and you didn't tell me!"

"Allie, it was for your own good," he said coming towards me, but we all backed away. Ron made a valiant effort to get up again but fell back with a whimper of pain. Lupin made toward him, looking concerned, but Ron gasped, "Get away from me, werewolf!"

Lupin stopped dead. He looked pleadingly at me but I just looked sadly back at him. Then, with an obvious effort, he turned to Hermione and said, "How long have you known?"

"Ages," Hermione whispered. "since I did Professor Snape's essay. I told Allie but she gave you the benefit of the doubt. "

Black suddenly crossed to the four-poster bed and sank onto it, his face hidden in one shaking hand. Ron edged away from him, dragging his leg, I helped move him away and we four huddled in the corner.

"I have not been helping Sirius," said Lupin. "If you'll give me a chance, I'll explain. Look-"

He separated the wands and threw them back to us. He stuck his own wand in his belt and each of us trained ours on them.

"You're armed, we're not. Now will you listen?" he pleaded. I lowered mine slightly desperately wanting to trust Moony again.

"Fine. How did you know we were here?" I demanded. "No lies."

"The map," said Lupin. "The Marauder's Map. I was in my office examining it-"

"You know how to work it?" Harry said suspiciously.

"Of course I know how to work it," said Lupin, waving his hand impatiently. "I helped write it. I'm Moony- that was my friends' nickname for me at school."

"You wrote -?" I started but couldn't finish. I dropped onto the bed and dropped my head in my hands. Ron grimaced as I jostled him but I didn't care. I was still trying to get my head round that Moony was a werewolf never mind he was in fact a Marauder.

"You might have been wearing your father's old cloak, Harry-"

"How d'you know about the cloak?"

"The number of times I saw James disappearing under it...," said Lupin, waving an impatient hand again. "The point is I realised there was another with you as you left Hagrid's."

"No there wasn't!" said Harry. His wand was still raised, switching between both men.

"Do you think I could have a look at the rat?" Moony said evenly to Ron, who was still clutching a squeaking Scabbers.

"What?" said Ron. "What's Scabbers got to do with it?"

"Everything," said Lupin. "Could I see him, please?"

Lupin moved closer to Ron. He seemed to be holding his breath as he gazed intently at Scabbers.

"That's not a rat," croaked Sirius Black suddenly. I jumped as I realised how close I was to him.

"No, he's not," said Lupin quietly. "He's a wizard."

"An Animagus," said Black, "by the name of Peter Pettigrew."

"Peter Pettigrew's dead!" I argued, motioning towards Black. "He killed him twelve years ago!"

"I meant to," he growled "but little Peter got the better of me... not this time, though!"

Black lunged across me at Scabbers and I pushed him off. Ron yelled with pain as Black's weight fell on his broken leg.

"Sirius, NO!" Moony yelled, launching himself forwards and dragging Black away from Ron again, "WAIT! They've got a right to know everything! You owe Harry the truth, not to mention Allie, your daughter, Sirius!"

Black stopped struggling and fixed his eyes on me. I refused to look at him, instead concentrated on keeping Ron's broken leg straight and still.

"All right, then," Black said sitting down heavily.

"Everyone thought Sirius killed Peter," said Moony. "I believed it myself never dreaming he would be so close to me all this time. I never had any reason to believe he would be Scabbers- until I saw the map tonight. Because the Marauder's map never lies... Peter's alive. Ron's holding him. However, the Ministry never knew that there used to be three unregistered Animagi running around Hogwarts."

"So that's why you can change into a dog?" I said quietly to Black. Sitting next to him again I could hear his laboured breathing. I glanced at his side and saw the cloth stained with blood from my slashing hex.

"It all starts with me becoming a werewolf," said Moony looking sober and tired. "Every full moon I was smuggled out of the castle and taken to the Shrieking Shack to transform. The Whomping Willow was planted over the tunnel to protect anyone from finding me."

I was listening raptly, trying to make sense of everything. Peter, Black and James all became Animagus for Moony, to help him. I couldn't believe I'd never been told about any of this. Moony told us about some joke Black had played on Snape but James had saved him.

I glanced at the man beside me but he was already watching me, not listening to Moony's story. His eyes travelled over my face with such tenderness he looked a completely different person. I smiled nervously and fiddled with the moth eaten blanket on the bed.

"Expelliarmus!" sneered a cold voice. Everyone jumped, heads snapping towards the door. Severus Snape was pulling off the Invisibility Cloak, his wand pointing, directly at Moony. I leapt to my feet and darted forwards but Snape turned the wand on me.

"Stay where you are Black. Both of you!" Black froze as he too moved towards Snape. Snape was slightly breathless, but his face was full of suppressed triumph.

"I've told the headmaster again and again that you're helping your old friend Black into the castle, Lupin, and here's the proof." his eyes gleaming "Two more for Azkaban tonight, the Dementors will be pleased."

"You fool," said Lupin softly. "Is a schoolboy grudge worth putting an innocent man back inside Azkaban?"

BANG! Thin, snakelike cords burst from the end of Snape's wand and twisted themselves around Lupin's mouth, wrists, and ankles; he overbalanced and fell to the floor, unable to move. I ran to his side pulling at the tight ropes. With a roar of rage, Black started toward Snape, but Snape pointed his wand straight between Black's eyes.

"Give me a reason," he whispered. "Give me a reason to do it, and I swear I will."

Black stopped dead. Anger shot through me creating an inferno in my chest and before I realised what I was doing, I stood between Snape and Black.

"Get out of the way girl," he spat "Trying to protect daddy's not going to save him. Move!"

"Make me." I said coolly but inside I was shaking. Snape snarled at me but kept his wand pointed between my eyes.

"Professor Snape- it- it wouldn't hurt to hear what they've got to say, w- would it?" whispered Hermione.

"KEEP QUIET, YOU STUPID GIRL!" Snape shouted, looking suddenly quite deranged. "DON'T TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!"

A few sparks shot out of the end of his wand, which was still pointed at my face. I flinched as Snape grabbed my upper arm and threw me to the floor. I cried out as I smacked my head on the sharp corner of a table. Black thundered towards Snape but he stuck his wand under Black's chin.

"Vengeance is very sweet," Snape breathed at Black. "How I hoped I would be the one to catch you. Oh yes, the Dementors have missed you so."

The colour in Black's face left completely. There was a mad glint in Snape's eye that made me realise he was beyond all reason. I pulled out my wand again and gripped it tightly. Harry ran to the door quickly, blocking Snape's exit.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY, POTTER!" screamed Snape as Harry stood in the doorway. All at once four voices yelled 'Expelliarmus' and Snape went slamming into the wall, blood oozing from his hair. Harry, Ron and Hermione had all tried to disarm Snape at the same time as me.

"You shouldn't have done that," said Black, looking between me and Harry. "But thank you."

I avoided Black's eyes as he helped Moony out of the binds. I still had my wand held high and I wanted answers. Hermione was hysterical and Ron was still clutching his leg. Harry looked ready to hit something and was gripping his wand tightly.

"I want answers, now!" I demanded. "How did you know we were at Hogwarts?"

Black took out a crumpled piece of paper with the photo of the Weasley family plus me. Scabbers on Ron's shoulder, me in the middle and a few words at the bottom, mentioning Hogwarts and Harry.

"He's even got a toe missing on his front paw. The biggest bit anyone ever found of Peter was his finger." breathed Black, looking at me hopefully. It was starting to make sense.

"Harry," said Moony hurriedly, "don't you see? All this time we've thought Sirius betrayed your parents, and Peter tracked him down- but it was the other way around, don't you see? Peter betrayed your mother and father- Sirius tracked Peter down-"

"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Harry yelled, wildly, looking round at us for support "HE WAS THEIR SECRET-KEEPER! HE SAID HE KILLED THEM!"

"Harry... I as good as killed them," he croaked. "I persuaded Lily and James to change to Peter at the last moment, I'm to blame, I know it... The night they died, I set out for your parents' house straight away. And when I saw their house, destroyed, and their bodies... I realized what Peter must've done... what I'd done..."

His voice broke and he turned away. For the first time I found myself hoping that this was all true, that maybe- just maybe- he was innocent.

"Enough of this," said Moony, and he took Scabbers from Ron and held him up. A blinding flash of light and from the rat, grew a short fat, bald man with a pointed nose and small watery eyes. I stood shocked, with my mouth open. He had lived right under our very noses for so long, and none of us had suspected a thing.

"S- Sirius... R- Remus..."Pettigrew squeaked, his eyes darting toward the door. "My friends... my old friends..."

"You sold James and Lily to Voldemort didn't you." said Moony coldly.

"N-n-no! Remus, please- you-you don't believe him!" Pettigrew shouted shrilly. He seemed to babble on for ages, making excuses and stuttered out a lies for every question Black or Moony had for him. The sweat was pouring off him and he was shaking. It was obvious who the guilty one was.

"Er- Mr. Black- Sirius?" said Hermione, timidly. Black jumped at being addressed so politely and looked at her bewildered "If you don't mind me asking, how- how did you get out of Azkaban?"

"I don't know how I did it," he said slowly. "I think the only reason I never lost my mind is that I knew I was innocent. That wasn't a happy thought, so the Dementors couldn't suck it out of me, but it kept me sane and knowing who I am. When I saw Allie in that photograph, I recognised her at once. She looks just like her mother did at that age." his eyes were shining with unshed tears. "It was as if someone had lit a fire in my head, and the Dementors couldn't destroy it. I was determined to come and find her and clear my name."

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. His gaze almost burned through my eyes with the intensity and I found I could not look away.

"Believe me," croaked Black. "Believe me, Allie, Harry. I never turned my back on you or betrayed James and Lily. I would have died before I did either."

And at long last, I believed him. Throat too tight to speak, I simply nodded. I finally had my father back at last. And he was innocent. Black. Sirius. Dad.

Pettigrew burst into hysterics and had fallen to his knees, grovelling at our feet, his hands clasped together. It was embarrassing to watch a grown man bawling like a baby.

"Shall we kill him together?" said Black, a ghost of a grin flitting across his face.

"Yes, I think so," said Lupin grimly.

"No!" I said quietly. They looked up at me confused. "You kill him and you'll be sent straight back to Azkaban." Black looked up at me, a weird look on his face.

"Allie, don't you see, it has to be done." Black said roughly.

"You wouldn't... you won't...," gasped Pettigrew. He scrambled around to Ron, then Hermione, then turned to Harry.

"Harry... Harry... you look just like your father... just like him..."

"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO HARRY?" roared Black. "HOW DARE YOU FACE HIM? HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT JAMES IN FRONT OF HIM?"

"Allie," whispered Pettigrew, shuffling toward me, hands outstretched. "Please, I beg of you. Your mother loved me like a brother; she wouldn't want me dead, she would have stopped them!"

"GET AWAY FROM HER YOU MURDERING USELESS COWARD!" bellowed Black, seizing him by the shoulders and throwing him down.

"Harry stop them please." I pleaded. He gripped my hand then ran forward and placed himself in front Pettigrew, facing the wands.

"You can't kill him," he said breathlessly. "You can't. We'll take him up to the castle. The Dementors can have him."

Black and Lupin both looked staggered.

"Harry!" gasped Pettigrew, and he flung his arms around Harry's knees. "You- thank you- it's more than I deserve- thank you-"

"Get off me," Harry spat, throwing Pettigrew's hands off him in disgust. "I'm not doing this for you. I don't reckon my dad would've wanted his two best friends to become killers."

Moony finally agreed and tied Pettigrew up. He tended to Ron's leg and they left first, Hermione next, Black followed, levitating Snape, letting him bang into everything and his head scrape against the ceiling and me and Harry brought up the rear.

"Thank you," I whispered as we entered the tunnel back to Hogwarts.

"I'm sorry," he said sheepishly "For everything this year. I've been a right prat and not exactly the best friend. I should have been here for you."

"Harry, you'll always be my best friend." I smiled, nudging him slightly "Besides, Hogwarts would be extremely boring if you weren't here."

He grinned and threw his arm around my shoulders, knocking into me slightly. I pushed him back playfully and I couldn't help but laugh. It was like a massive weight had lifted from my chest.

"Why are you two laughing?" said Black turning round, smiling. I shrugged, laughing harder. It was just good to have the old Harry back, not the Harry that thought I was the daughter of the man who murdered his parents, my best friend Harry.

"So, Allie…" I smiled nervously. Harry dawdled behind a bit to give us some space. "I guess I'm your father then…"

"Yeah…" I glanced at his bloody side. "Sorry about that."

"I've had worse," he joked, but grimacing all the same.

"Erm, would it be alright if I didn't call you 'dad' just yet," I asked hesitantly "Only I kind of need time to adjust to- having a father around again."

"No, it's alright," he said smiling "Look, I don't know much about being a father," he turned towards me and kneeled slightly. "But I promise, I'm never going to leave you again."

I beamed at him and he wore the first true smile I seen upon. The difference it made was startling, as though a person ten years younger were shining through and he was recognizable as the man who had laughed in all my photographs. Then it hit me; have a father. We walked together for a while, every so often taking a side long glance at each other and smiling, shyly.

"Allie, kiddo!" Moony shouted from upfront, "Come and give me a hand."

I slipped round the others and clambered up the hole at the base of the tree and quickly used 'Immobulus' to freeze its movements. I helped the others climb out: Harry came out beaming with Sirius and we began out walk back to the castle.

"So, Allie, Harry, you two are best friends right?" said Sirius, putting his hands on each of our shoulders. "Funny how things work out."

I grinned at Harry. Yeah- weird. It was pitch dark except for the meagre light coming form the castle windows.

"You know, you two used to be inseparable when you were kids." I looked up at Sirius and back to Harry.

"What you mean?" I said confused.

"When you were babies. Adele and Lily had it all planned out; you'd grow up together, go to Hogwarts together, eventually get together..." he smirked at us.

"What!" we both shouted at the same time.

"It was cute at the time." he shrugged, grinning. "James and I used to have to carry you both screaming when it was time to take you home."

I shook my head embarrassed and promptly fell over a root sticking up. A cloud shifted and everywhere was bathed in moonlight. The light from a full moon. I jumped up and glanced over at Moony who had gone rigid and his limbs had began to shake.