Marina woke at the infirmary. Everything bloody hurt. Given the curse Quirrell had thrown at her, that wasn't surprising.

She listened to Harry and Dumbledore talk about everything that had happened, pretending to still be out of it.

"How is Marina?" Harry asked, sounding afraid of the answer, as soon as his worries about the stone had been put to rest. She didn't like Dumbledore's answering sigh at all.

"Madam Pomfrey was able to reverse most the damage. Unfortunately, it was a powerful curse. I'm afraid she'll scar where the curse struck her." Marina had to bite her tongue to stifle her shocked groan.

"She came for me," Harry muttered guiltily.

"Of course she did," Dumbledore replied gently. "Ms Black spent a considerable amount of time this year, making sure you were fine." She supposed she should be grateful the headmaster wasn't going into detail. Especially considering he'd refused her when she'd offered, with Dromeda's permission, to take Harry in so he wouldn't have to go back to his awful relatives. Dumbledore had replied something about Harry's own good and someday she'd understand.

Then Dumbledore proceeded to explain exactly how Harry had survived Voldemort again. Lily's sacrifice had created a protective barrier no one, least of all her murderer, would be able to breach. It was no wonder she sensed Harry was close to tears.

Once Madam Pomfrey insisted that Harry needed rest and waited until he'd taken his Sleeping Potion, the headmaster headed her way.

"It was very reckless of you, dear girl," he said without preamble as she sat up, untangling herself from the covers.

"Yes," she agreed and leaned back with a sigh. You knew something was really wrong when sitting up exhausted you like this.

"Why didn't you go to Professor McGonagall?" the old wizard asked.

"Harry, Hermione and Ron tried that," she replied dryly. "It seems Professor McGonagall didn't take their concern seriously. And she told them you were in London so..."

"Yes, it was poor timing indeed," Dumbledore confirmed.

"Poor timing or a trap. Anyway, there was no time to get anyone either. I was hoping I'd catch them before Harry would have to face Voldemort but I was too late."

"How did you get past Severus' fire?" His eyes twinkled with curiosity behind his half-moon glasses.

"Glacio Charm," she admitted. "A mutual friend of ours wants me prepared for just about anything, Professor."

"Yes, Alastor does have that tendency," Dumbledore agreed with a small chuckle. She didn't even want to know how he knew Mad-Eye was tutoring her – the auror wouldn't tell anyone.

"I must say, from Harry's recount of events, you fought admirably."

"I got lucky," she shook her head immediately. "Quirrell was weak and tired. If he hadn't been possessed... well, then he wouldn't have tried to steal the stone, would he? Either way, if the possession hadn't drained them both the way it did, Harry and I would both be dead right now."

"It was a close call for you regardless," Dumbledore told her sagely. "I barely made it there in time to save you both."

"I was trying to buy time," Marina admitted. "I knew that even in their drained state, I wouldn't really stand a chance for long. So I figured if I could just keep him... them... busy long enough..."

"Well, reckless though it might have been, it was a commendable action," the headmaster smiled. "And I've had an influx of owls from your family and friends, all demanding answers."

"Dear Merlin. How did they find out so fast?"

"I believe Ms Nott might have send them an owl after Mr Longbottom ignored your instruction and went to inform your best friend of what was happening."

Of course. Carmen would have send an owl to Remus and Mad-Eye post-haste. But speaking of family...

"Professor... Voldemort said... I mean I know he's a liar..." Good grief, she hadn't stuttered as much since she'd been eight. He waited patiently for her to gather her thoughts – or rather her courage, as she wasn't sure she wanted to hear his answer.

"He offered me Dad in exchange for the stone," she mumbled eventually and saw the headmaster wince ever so slightly.

"Marina-"

"Please don't," she asked pleadingly. "All I ever get from Dromeda, or even Remus, is absolutely nothing. They just keep pretending like I've never had a father. And I know He was lying but... What could be so bad they won't tell me? After I've had to listen to Mum and Lily die for ten years on end." She winced. She hadn't meant for that last part to come out. Dumbledore sighed deeply.

"That is a story for Andromeda to tell you," he said firmly. "But I will express my opinion that maybe it is time to do so now." Then maybe she'd actually stand a chance of getting the truth, finally.

"I will take my leave now," Dumbledore announced. "You should rest. And perhaps it would be prudent to owl Alastor about... the consequence of your encounter."

As soon as the headmaster had left the infirmary, Marina threw off her covers and pulled at the bandage around her hips and waist. The curse hat hit on her left hipbone, ripping the first wound before it had spread and she'd probably looked like someone had practised knife throwing and missed a lot.

"Now, Ms Black-," Madame Pomfrey said in a cautioning tone but Marina ignored her and pulled off the white material. Scar had been a bit of understatement, she thought numbly. The wound still glistened in an angry red welt. Different to the actual wounds the curse had caused, this one wasn't clean-cut and straight. It was, in a word, a mess.

"Well," she said, at a loss. "I suppose I was lucky he didn't aim anywhere it would be seen." Because a tiny scar like Harry's was one thing, caused by evil as it might have been, but this... Curse-wounds would always pain the victim, as longs as they lived.

Marina flinched at the thought of how Dromeda would break down crying once she found out. She was so owling Remus to come help her with that.

"You were lucky, period," Pomfrey corrected and steered her back into bed. And she'd be luckier yet, she thought drolly, if she survived the holidays.

King's Cross, London

Marina's heart went out to Harry when he had to leave with the muggles. Being around them for all of a minute had all her instincts screaming and she'd liked to claw the man's eyes out for insulting Molly Weasley, even if it had been subtle.

But she had her instructions not to interfere with Harry's living arrangement and without Dromeda, there was really nothing she could do. So she resolved to write to him every week, muggles be damned.

She did a double-take, startled, at the crowd awaiting her. The Notts were standing there, all five of them, right next to the gathering that had no doubt assembled due to the news of her injury: Mad-Eye, Remus, Dromeda, Ted, Dora, Kingsley Shacklebolt (why?) and, to Marina's immense dismay, Teresa Coolidge – her mind healer.

"Inconspicuous, you are not," she told the lot of them dryly once she came within hearing distance.

"Glamour charms," Kingsley countered in his calming voice. He was an auror and had, as far she remembered, trained under Mad-Eye.

"What in Merlin's name are you all doing here?"

"You almost died," Dora reminded her, as if she could forget.

"But I didn't. And that still doesn't explain what you're all doing at King's Cross instead of having this intervention at home."

"That's what I said," Bianca cut in cheerfully, lightening the mood.

"We wanted to make sure you were safe," Remus muttered under his breath so his words wouldn't carry.

And with that they all herded out of the station – it must have looked absolutely ridiculous to the muggles, even under glamour. The charms did neither hide Iris and Starlight, who were none too impressed by being forced to stay in their cage and carrier, nor David's odd choices of accessories.

It took them about an hour to get home, where the entire crowd made themselves comfortable on Ted's old sofa and looked at Marina expectantly. Almost as if sensing her annoyance, Starlight jumped onto her lap and purred. She decided to get it over with and told them everything that had happened. Unsurprisingly, they were stunned into complete silence.

"You fought You-Know-Who?" Dromeda finally managed to choke out, almost as pale as the Hogwarts ghosts.

"Well, technically I fought Quirrell," Marina corrected and fidgeted in her seat. They all looked shell-shocked. If the reason hadn't been so serious, she would have congratulated herself in the achievement. But as it was, even Mad-Eye looked a little green; and that was saying something.

"What were you thinking?" Jupiter eventually asked, admonishingly.

Marina raised both brows.

"That an eleven year-old boy I happen to care about was willing to risk his life, rather than let our parents' murderer win," she replied and everybody had the grace to look a bit sheepish. "And that I was willing to risk mine to help Harry."

"You shouldn't. You're only-"

"Don't give the I'm only thirteen routine," Marina interrupted Ted sharply. "What was I supposed to do? Sit around and let him get killed?"

"Why didn't you go to Professor McGonagall?" Remus asked calmly, sounding perfectly reasonable.

"The trio did that. She didn't believe them and sent them to the common room. She also mentioned Dumbledore was gone and that's when they realised..."

"That it was the perfect time to steal the stone," Mad-Eye grumbled in agreement. "Smart lad."

Dromeda shot him a glare.

"You expected to die, didn't you?" Teresa asked and everyone practically held their breath.

"I went to face Lord Voldemort," Marina replied, ignoring the collective flinch. "The thought definitely occurred."

"Did you want to die?" Marina stared at her mind-healer and wondered if maybe she wasn't the only one going mental.

"I am not suicidal," she snapped, concluding that there was no polite way to have that conversation.

"And yet you didn't hesitate, knowing what was waiting for you down there."

"As if anyone in this room wouldn't have done the same damn thing."

"We're fully trained," Laura said gently. "You're not."

"No. But I am the thirteen year-old with eidetic memory. I remember Harry from back then. I lost him once to the decisions of Dumbledore, sound as I'm sure they might be. I am not losing him again, especially to that coward!"

"Marina-"

"Don't, Dromeda, just don't. I'm going upstairs to unpack now. I'm glad you all stopped by. But I am fine so please just drop it."

July 1st, 1992

In hindsight, yelling at the people who cared about her had probably not been such a good idea. They had been very understanding and backed off. But Mad-Eye and Kingsley had agreed that, if she was going to run into danger willingly, she needed more training. So now Dora was to share some of her auror tricks with her.

Marina had just finished her homework in Divination, blasted crystal ball, and Ancient Runes. Tomorrow she'd tackle Charms – it would take her the longest.

If she managed to get it all done and finish the extra practice assignments Mad-Eye had cleared with Dromeda, maybe she'd be back in her aunt's good graces enough to be allowed to go to Diagon Alley next week or so.

She needed to come up with a birthday present for Harry, after all.

Deep in thought, she didn't notice the black owl at first – until the bird pecked her leg, clearly annoyed.

"A bit late for mail, isn't it?" she mumbled but took the package, pulling some owl snack out of her pocket. At home, she always had them at hand. The bird hooted its thanks before taking flight again.

Marina ripped the outer layer of paper away and two letters fell into her lap. She gasped when she recognised the handwriting. Knowing full well it would get her into trouble with Dromeda, she opened it regardless.

"Dear Marina,

I am aware that my sister has more than likely warned you against me – and with good reason. I have no excuse for my husband's actions during the war, nor for my inaction. I also know that my son seems to take after Lucius, despite my efforts.

Whether you believe me or not, my young cousin, it was never my intention to break with my sister. My actions were commanded by masters more powerful than I; and my son remains my priority.

That said, Draco has brought to my attention that you do not seem to know your father's fate. While I can well imagine Andromeda's reasons for keeping you in the dark, perhaps you would be willing to accept my peace offering: the truth about what happened to my cousin ten years ago.

I do not wish to anger my sister more than I am afraid I already have, but I feel that this might be my way of making amends, at least with you and your father – without incurring my husband's anger.

However I should warn you: sometimes the truth is not as much of a blessing as one might think. And however ludicrous I may find the official record, it is what the world believes. Also, if you choose to accept my token, Andromeda will no doubt be crossed with you as well. So choose wisely, Marina.

Sincerely,

Your Cousin Narcissa"

Not in a million years would she have seen that coming. She knew the family history of course: Andromeda, Bellatrix and Narcissa were the three Black sisters born to Cygnus Black and his wife Druella, née Rosier.

Dromeda had run away with Ted and had therefore been disowned as a blood-traitor.

Bellatrix, the lunatic of the family, had married Rodolphus Lestrange and the couple had been among the first to join Voldemort.

Narcissa however had been the level-headed one. She'd acquiesced to her parents' demand to marry Lucius Malfoy – and everything had gone downhill from there. Dromeda refused to talk about her, but everyone else seemed to think she'd had no choice but to follow Lucius down his dark path, as both her parents had been dead at that point and she'd had nowhere else to go. Also, according to even Mad-Eye she had never killed or tortured anyone. She was the wife of a Death Eater, but she'd never been one herself.

There was not an ounce of deception she sensed on the parchment. On the contrary, all she sensed was sincerity and heartache. Knowing that didn't make the choice any easier, though. Narcissa was right. If she opened that package, Dromeda would be furious.

Hoping to clear things up, Marina opened the second letter.

"Ms Black,

It has been quite some time since last someone dared talk to me the way you did in Diagon Alley. I'm afraid you caught me off guard. However, I should have told you that you are right of course; mostly. While I do not know how I will ever reconcile with Jupiter, my brother and I still have one thing in common: to protect our children above all else. I have failed in that regard once, as I suspect you already know, but I will not fail again. Theodore will not pay for my actions as his brother did.

Therefore I wish to offer you my gratitude. Foolish words have been spoken by much older men (and women) and I count myself lucky to have witnessed such wise words from a young witch.

Imagine my surprise, albeit a pleasant one, when your cousin Narcissa Malfoy sent me an owl with a favour to ask. She could not very well ask Lucius, but my position in the ministry allows me similar access. I acquiesced to her request and obtained the information she asked me for.

I feel that I should caution you however: you might not like the truth you seek to find. It will undoubtedly leave you with more questions than answers, at best. I wish you all the best.

Yours Faithfully,

Benjamin Nott"

Just when she'd thought it couldn't get much weirder.

The way she saw it, Marina had two options:

She could ignore the both of them and set the package on fire. Then she'd most likely never know what had happened to her father, seeing as Dromeda had once again refused any answer the days before.

Or she could risk it and take the information Narcissa and Benjamin were offering, at the risk of angering Dromeda permanently.

But, she decided with a very heavy heart, she had enough. Her friends and guardians had spent years ignoring her questions. They'd had more than their share of chances to tell her.

With that in mind, Marina ripped open the package and found a file.

"Prisoner XY-390," she read out loud, frowning. "Location: solitary confinement, high security ward, Azkaban. Crimes: murder of 12 muggles on October 31st 1981..."

She broke off with a choked sob. The night her mum had died. Marina turned the page with the aurors' report and found a picture of the prisoner. Hot tears streamed down her face at the sight of her father, mutely straining against the hands and chains holding him.

She could still recognise the teenager she'd seen in her mum's journals, the young man at James and Lily's wedding; or maybe that was just because she knew it was him.

Desperation gleamed in his haunted eyes that reflected a loss she could barely comprehend.

"Daddy," she sobbed, her heart breaking at the thought of the one secret she'd kept from everyone; Carmen, Dromeda, simply everyone. Her father had left her letter before leaving her and her mother to fight Voldemort. It was the only thing she had of him, drenched in his essence and the emotion he'd poured into that letter.

With another look at the mug-shot, she completely broke down crying.

An hour later...

Once she'd calmed down a little, she read the file. With every line she got angrier.

Sirius Black had been sent to Azkaban, without a bloody trial, after aurors had discovered him at the scene of a massacre. Muggle witnesses had claimed that a man fitting the description of Peter Pettigrew had screamed that her father had betrayed the Potters and her Dad had subsequently blown him up.

All they'd found of Peter was a finger and her father had been laughing hysterically. He'd been sent to Azkaban for the twelve dead muggles, the murder of Pettigrew and the betrayal of the Potters. No one had even once asked him what had happened.

Marina, on the other hand, knew exactly what had happened.

In his letter to her three year-old self he'd apologised for the fact that it might well be years before they'd see each other again. He'd explained in great detail why, before handing the letter to her mother so she'd give it to Marina when she was old enough to understand.

Her father would never have betrayed James.

What made her even angrier though, was the fact that not even Dromeda, her father's favourite cousin, or Remus, his bloody best friend, had visited him. The entire wizarding world had simply accepted his guilt.

Now she was sitting there, in Dromeda's backyard, fuming and wondered just how she was going to free her father. Somehow she doubted it would be as simple as blowing up his cell.

"Look who we found," Dromeda suddenly sounded behind her and Marina turned to find that the entire entourage had stopped by once more. They'd been doing it since she'd come home for the holidays. But for once, she was glad.

Not bothering to hide anything she stood and noted that everyone's eyes widened in shock at her tear-stained face.

"Marina, what-?" Remus started, taking a step forward.

Without a word, she tossed the file at their feet, the mug-shot on top.

If she hadn't been hurting and so bloody angry, she might have laughed as they all froze as if hit by a body-lock.

Dromeda paled almost dangerously, but right that second Marina couldn't bring herself to care. She was kind of surprised there was no steam coming out of her ears. The rest looked gobsmacked.

"Where... where did you get that?" Dromeda asked weakly once she'd composed herself.

"Funny you should ask," Marina countered, her voice still thick with tears. "Narcissa sends her regards."

Immediately, the woman's face clouded over but Marina found herself up holding her hand.

"Don't," she said sharply, the hurt giving away to anger again. "I had no intention of believing her, you know. But I didn't sense deceit on her letter so I opened the second one. Imagine my surprise when Benjamin Nott wrote that he was the one who'd gotten the file as a favour to Narcissa. Ironically enough, they both warned me that I wouldn't like what I'd find."

"Now, lass, listen..." Mad-Eye started but she cut him off too.

"No. For years, I've been asking you to tell me what had happened to Dad. And for years you've all been ignoring that. Exactly what is the world coming to that Narcissa Malfoy and Benjamin Nott tell me the truth but none of you will?"

"We wanted to spare you," Jupiter replied quietly. Marina stared at him incredulously. Her eyes darted from one person to the next and that's when it dawned: they really, truly believed her father was guilty.

"How could you possibly believe he'd betray James?" she whispered, staring at the lot of them. "I only have my memories from when I was three. But I bloody well know he's innocent."

Pity and sympathy crossed their collective features in equal measure. Interestingly enough though, she didn't sense any of that from Dromeda and Remus. In fact, they sensed almost proud at her belief.

"Marina, he was tried and convicted," Bianca said sympathetically. It was almost a relief to see the aghast expression on Carmen's face. At least her best friend hadn't been lying to her.

"Actually, he was not," Marina snapped and pointed at the file. "He never got a trial. They never gave him veritaserum, otherwise they would bloody know he's innocent!"

Mad-Eye paled at her words – she hadn't thought he was capable of it anymore.

David too looked shocked beyond compare and bent to pick up the file. He flipped through it, able to read auror-speak a lot faster than Marina and blanched as her confirmed her accusations.

"She's right," he told the others, visibly appalled. "He never got his day in court."

"One of the ministry's very own Hit Wizards, a member of the Order in the fight against Voldemort – and no one ever even talked to him?" Carmen asked, disgust colouring her voice.

"We thought he..." Kingsley, very wisely, didn't finish.

"So let me get this straight:," Marina glowered, "he loses his best friends and the mother of his child in one foul swoop, and then gets locked up for things he did not do, consequently losing his daughter and his godson as well. And he's been rotting in Azkaban, surrounded by dementors, ever since. That sum it up?"

Dementors were the vilest creatures on this earth. They lived off people's misery and could literally suck all happiness right out of you. That was the reason most inmates went insane. And her innocent father had been forced to endure that for a decade.

"I tried to see him," Remus confessed quietly. "But the new anti-werewolf laws forbid a lycanthrope from visiting an inmate."

And no one would listen to a werewolf because people were stupid. They only saw the monster, not the man. Remus might turn furry once a month but the rest of the time he was just as much a wizard as anyone else. Instead of helping the infected, wizarding society shunned them.

"I filed to have the incident reinvestigated and Sirius questioned again," Dromeda spoke up. "But I was told categorically that it would never happen."

"They didn't want anyone to find out he'd never been questioned," Carmen realised.

"Crouch," Mad-Eye, who had finally recovered himself, growled.

Marina smirked, tears still glistening on her lashes.

"Let's see how they do with his distressed daughter. Either way I am clearing his name."

She turned on her heels and marched inside, mentally forming a plan. She would free her father, if it was the last thing she did. But she had to hurry. After all, she only had two months before school started again...