Chapter 37

Remus POV

Trudging solemnly back to my quarters, I was deep in thought. I didn't know what to do. Sirius was one of my best mates. The only one alive, but he's the reason James was dead and he killed Peter.

I was never too close to Peter, none of us were. I always had thought him a tad cowardish, but he proved himself in the end. Died like a Gryffindor, he did. But I can't shake this feeling. I don't think I could ever hurt Sirius, but I suppose if it came down to protecting the twins I would. I just can't believe him. I really hoped he would change and see the wrong in his ways.

And then there's Severus. I understand where his trepidation comes from, but I have a right to know how the twins will be protected.

I just wish they wouldn't judge me on my past friendship. Not just a friendship, Sirius was like a brother to me, he was, but I guess Sirius didn't feel the same way. He and James taught me to embrace my disease. I guess it was all a ploy, he turned out to be just like the rubbish family of his.

I continued on, thinking of possible ways for Sirius to infiltrate the castle. He knew of most all the secret passageways. If only I had that bloody map . . . what if Sirius has it? James was the last one I knew to have it, but Sirius could have gotten his hands on it. That wouldn't be good at all, would it?

I contemplated telling Dumbledore of the map, as a precaution, but it was nearly embarrassing. Well, it would be good information for him to know. I don't know. I just need to prove I want to keep Sirius out, I will do anything to keep the twins safe.

Minerva POV

Albus, Poppy, and I sat in his office contemplating safety options, while we waited for another arrival, one we knew would come. Albus had just arrived back from the Ministry of Magic. He informed us everyone was in a frenzy, especially Fudge. That little pig of a man.

He came up to Albus expecting him to fix this issue for him. What is Albus to do when he has a school to run and students to keep safe? If only Fudge had done his own job, Siri . . . Black wouldn't have escaped.

Pomona was sat in the seat to the left of mine, reading the late Daily Prophet. I suppose they sent it so late so less people would see it. Well, no that wouldn't make much sense, if they want people to find him.

The great oak wood door burst open with a furious and fearful Severus in its wake. He took in everyones' appearances, he knew we knew. He sighed deeply and collapsed in the chair to the right of mine. "What are we to do, Albus?"

"I truly do not know, Severus. The Ministry barely had their rubbish together. Kingsley was the only one beginning to take action. Fudge was asking me how I could fix the issue, how long it would take me to find him. I believe if I put my full efforts to it I could find him, but I must protect the school." Severus nodded anxiously, "He's coming for them, isn't he?"

No one answered, but we all knew. Black was my student. I can't really comprehend what he grew up to be. A murderer. He was wild, fun, and full of energy. He and . . . James and Peter and Remus, were inseparable. The best pranksters to ever walk these halls. And the best to get out of trouble. Remus always gave explanations of how no school rules were truly broken by each prank, the smart little devil. Sirius . . . I truly had high hopes for him.

"How do we attempt to keep him out? He slipped right past the dementors in AZKABAN! What are we to do?" I stated this with a passion. I"m not letting this monster harm any of our students or the twins. "I understand you concern Minerva. I will be performing every ounce of protection possible in the school. I have received permission from the Ministry to do so. The Aurors will be here the day after tomorrow to assist me."

"So the school will be unprotected until then? What about the Hogsmeade trip tomorrow? Should it be cancelled?" Pomona asked sweetly with hidden anxiety. "I believe we should allow the students one more Hogsmeade trip and then stop the program for this year. He can't travel here in only two days. The students will be fine. That goes for Anne and Harry too, Severus. I know they are going with their friends. Allow them to."

"I don't know that I want to. And they may not even feel like going, I mean my son will just find out his godfather is a murderous, raving lunatic! Anne had near heart failures when she read the post, I don't know how to ease their trepidation. She's terrified and Harry is clueless. He'll probably pop it out of Anne while I'm gone, because she already found out weeks ago."

"Calm down, Severus. It will do them no good to have you scared too. They can read your emotions well, children can. How did Anne find out weeks ago?" I asked Severus trying to change the topic.

"Uh, when Remus began working here, she asked about him. Who he was. I eventually told her. She asked about Black and Pettigrew and James. I told her all were dead. I told her Black was dead, to protect her. I never thought I'd have to tell them different. But Albus, the meddlesome old fool asked Anne to patrol with Remus, they talked. He found out she knew that he was her godfather. She asked about Sirius and found out he was alive. She came home furious with me and I told her what he did, she begged me. I asked of her not to tell Harry. He is much more fragile than her. But I guess he will find out."

I gently rubbed Severus's shoulder till he pulled away regaining his composure. "What else is to be done to protect the school? I will stop allowing the twins to patrol with me, but what shall the teachers do?"

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, Severus, but I will just order the ghosts to patrol through the nights. Teacher patrols will go on as normal until further notice. I also need to speak to Remus. He knows Sirius better than anyone, he'll possibly know how he'll try to get in or anything he could use to his advantage."

I spotted out of my peripheral vision, Severus glaring Albus dead in the face. "Are you sure it's wise to have the beast in on the protection detail?"

Albus' deep sea blue eyes met Severus' with power, "Not a teacher in this school would help assist Sirius Black in, Severus!" He nodded his head, still visibly angry.

I watched the energy in the room fall into slight anger, when I had a sudden thought. "Wait! Nobody except the teachers and Fudge know where the twins are. So Black wouldn't come to Hogwarts! He only knows they are living with family. That they moved from their aunt and uncles home. He doesn't know where they are. No one knows they are Severus' children. This is great!" I smiled and saw a bit of hope flicker in Severus' tired, worn eyes.

"That is until one of the students realize they are the 'Potter Twins'! It's luck they haven't seen their scars yet, their hair is always covering them. But just watch it get sent straight to Rita Skeeter that the 'Potter Twins' are living in Hogwarts early and the 'Bat of the Dungeon' is calling them his children. Wouldn't she just love that headline in the post?" Albus just shook his head.

Severus did have a point. If someone found out who the twins really were, then they were going to be in a tough spot. We just need to make it a stern fact that no one can find out till Sirius has been taken care of. Or never, so they can live a normal life. But someone is bound to find out eventually.

I looked around the room at my colleagues, Pomona looked worried and troubled, Albus looked saddened and deep in thought, Severus just seemed at a loss. He seemed to have only just yesterday lost everything to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and now he could lose his children to a faithful servant.

"Well, Albus that is enough, I believe. Severus and Pomona and I best be getting to bed. We are all herding students tomorrow morning. You best be getting started in your plans. I'm sure Cornelius will be visiting again soon, won't he?" Albus nodded and bid is adieu. My colleagues and I stood and left the office. Pomona went off in the opposite direction of Severus and I.

Severus didn't make to move from the bottom of the stairs. He just stood there looking lost. "Alright now boy, come along." I made to grab his arm, to pull him along, but he yanked his arm back harshly.

"What are you doing, woman?" I glared daggers at him. "Now Severus, you wee lad! I understand the stress you are going through, but you have no right, do you, to be that way to me! I have always looked out for you, regardless of your house. Now lose the attitude and tell me what's wrong. Would you like to come to my office? You could have tea . . . and biscuits."

He rubbed his face tiredly. "I apologize, Minerva. And I don't need to go on to your office like a weeping student. Ha, I need to take care of my own children! Minerva, how am I supposed to protect them from someone that escaped Azkaban?" I nodded us forward to start walking towards the dungeons.

I was deep in thought, I didn't know what to tell him. Never did I have children of my own. My younger self was too focused on her career to start a family. Severus was probably the closest thing I would ever have to a son. He used to come sit in my office as a student. Talk to me about his schoolboy issues. Normally a Slytherin's first thought wouldn't be to come and speak to the Head of Gryffindor, but Horace Slughorn wasn't exactly a good Head of Slytherin.

"Severus, there is not a good answer to that question. We can only do what we can, but you won't be alone. You have all the teachers standing behind you. They are not going to allow anything to happen to that precious wee lass and lad. And don't worry so much about them. Anne has her mother's brains and could get them out of any pickle. Harry, well, he's just Harry, a sweet and brave little boy. Hopefully this will all work out and . . . Sirius will be caught." Severus nodded grimly.

"That bloody menace has come back to haunt me, I swear. When we were children all through the years and now when I am an adult. I really am grateful you thought of the . . . well, that he wouldn't know where they truly are. Thank you for giving me that consolation."

I nodded to him. We walked down the dimly lit dungeons till we reached the portrait entrance to his home. He bid me good night, thanked me once more and walked inside. I continued to stare at the portrait for a moment before turning on my heel and leaving.

Severus has endured too much in his life. Abuse as a child, bullying throughout his school years, misguided friendships, failures, loss of his only friend, finding out he had children that were abused like him, the whole Anne fiasco early this year, and now his childhood bully has truly come back to haunt him. I only wish I could help him somehow.

I know Severus if skeptical of Remus's loyalties and maybe I could speak to Remus myself, get a read on him. Remus was always such a good boy though, didn't often partake in James and Sirius's pranks. Always had good grades and never gave you a reason not to trust him. But Severus could be correct, Remus had lost all his friends and may try to save or help the last remaining one.

At that I headed towards Remus' office, hoping he would still be awake at this hour.

Harry POV

I felt myself being shaken awake and looked up into the dark eyes of my father. He looked to me sadly, asking with his eyes if I knew the truth. I lowered my eyes from his.

Feeling the couch beside me sink, I scooched over a little. "Dad, why did he do it? If they were friends why would he do that to them? To us?"

"I don't know why people make bad choices. But everyone does it at some point. Some worse and a lot more drastic than others." I nodded my head solemnly. "Have you made any bad choices?" I heard a long, deep sigh come from beside me. I looked up to see his face, his eyes were saddened.

"I have made many bad decisions, Harry. Ones that I will inform both you and Anne of when you are older. Harry . . . do you still feel comfortable going to Hogsmeade tomorrow or would you rather stay back?"

I quickly responded, "I can still go, right? It's safe, isn't it?" Dad smiled at me in a joking manner. "I believe it will be safe, but after tomorrow, I would prefer you and Anne not to go out on the grounds. That unfortunately means Hagrids house, unless you have a professor with you."

"Alright, thank you! I really want to visit Hogsmeade Village . . . while I'm conscious." I laughed and dad laughed with me. "But dad, do you think he'll come here? Sirius Black? I think Anne does. She's terrified, she is."

"Unfortunately I don't know. I think the Ministry may have bought us some time, possibly. But it is foolish to believe he won't eventually find out you are here. Don't you worry though, you have many talented professors here that will protect you. Now off to bed with you boy! Do you even know what time it is?" I laughed.

"You're up too, you hypocrite! Well, good night. Thank you, just please . . . keep me updated with what the prophet says. I don't care if it's scary, I deserve to know, he's my godfather."

Dad looked at me sadly, "Of course I will, Harry. When you wake, I need to speak to both you and Anne about something important. Don't worry it's not pressing or anything, just some cautions for you both. Now off to bed with you."

I smiled at him one more time before I walked down the corridor to my bedroom. As I opened the door, I noticed Anne's small form all curled up in her blankets, her teddy tucked under her arm. I tiptoed over to my bed and climbed into the safety and comfort the blankets provided.

If I find that Sirius Black, I'm going to kill him. He's the reason I've never met my mum. The reason we never got to come home from school to our parents' love. The reason we were hated for years. The reason I can't know if I have my mother's personality, while Anne has her looks.

I'm going to kill Sirius Black and make sure he knows what he took from me. But I can't even do magic, I don't have a wand and I couldn't ask of my friends to help me. Maybe Anne might have an idea, but she'll think me a bloody idiot. So what if I am, I want my mum back.