Thank you so much for all the reviews and following of this story, I'm happy people are enjoying it. I simply love reading your comments so don't be afraid to leave a review. I hope you like this chapter I know things have been a bit dark lately but it will get lighter from now on and I'm so happy to dive into the next year of atria's life.

I think I'm going to do a few more chapter before 4th year will officially start and then we will see how it all goes.

as usual, follow favourite and review

hope you enjoy

lego


Atria wiped her eyes as she groggily sat up, she looked down, Harry was no longer on his makeshift bed on the floor. She could hear the sound of muffled voices downstairs. She stayed perfectly still as she heard the front door slam shut, She got out of the bed, crouching near the window, watching curiously as a tall spindly looking women climbed into a muggle car. She watched as it rounded the corner before disappearing from sight.

The bedroom door creaked open and she turned quickly to see Harry. She must have looked odd as she crouched below to window on the ground because he froze for a moment.

"Good morning," he said closing the door behind him, his green eyes watching her cautiously.

"morning," Atria said standing up from her crouched position.

"Is everything alright?" he asked as he gave her a small smile.

"yeah fine, the car was odd to me," Atria said trying to excuse her behaviour, wiping her hands nervously on her trousers, "what time is it?"

"eleven-thirty, you slept in," Harry said grabbing his jacket from his desk, "my aunt almost walked in on several occasions."

Atria shook her head, "I don't imagine it going down well if she found me."

"Defiantly not," he said, "She thinks people like us are freaky, she doesn't even like me all that much, I don't even want to think about what she would think of someone like you."

"A witch?" Atria asked sitting back down on the bed.

"Yeah," Harry said, grabbing his wand off the nightstand a putting it up his sleeve.

"She sounds jealous to me," Atria said, "that we can do things she can't."

"Maybe," Harry said sitting on the bed next to her.

"You don't believe her when she calls you freaky do you?" Atria asked.

Harry shrugged, "I used to, now I think I'm freaky because of other things."

Atria titled her head, she imagined it was the muggles like Harry lived with that gave them such a bad reputation, fearful and cruel people, jealous of power they could not hope to possess, he didn't deserve that, he didn't deserve any of it. "Have you read about Gellert Grindelwald?" she asked, Harry simply shook his head.

"He was wrong about a lot of things," Atria explained, "But he said once that magic blooms only in rare souls, now I'm not saying that puts wizards above muggles, some of the worst people alive may be wizards. But being different isn't a bad thing."

His eyes were glued to the floor of his bedroom as she spoke, she knew what he was thinking, probably agreeing with some of his aunt's words from years of being told that he was. She took his hand from where it rested on his lap, "You're not a freak Harry, you're just different."

She felt his hand squeeze hers as he turned to her and boyishly smiled, "Thank you," he said softly. Their eyes locked for a moment and Atria's heart stopped. They simply looked at each other. You don't realise how little you look into people's eyes until you do it, something about it is so intimate like you recognise the soul and person behind those eyes in a way that you never had before, and it all became a little too much for Atria. So she gently released his hand and turned away.

"We have to go," Harry said, still looking at her, filled with a sense of disappointment," before she comes back."

"To Remus?" Atria asked, scratching her nail anxiously over the material of her trousers.

"Yes," Harry nodded, "I owled him this morning he's waiting for us," he said standing once more and walking towards his closet and opening it. he walked back over to her holding out on of his muggle hoodie, "wear this," he said.

"To hide my face?" Atria asked.

Harry nodded, "Well, we don't want anyone to recognise you."


Harry held her hand tightly as they walked through diagon ally. He knew where he was going as he led them quickly through the people that lined the street. So atria just let him lead her, comfortable enough with him to lead her. They turned off onto a much darker a murkier street. Remus lived in knockturn ally?

"Harry, are you going the right way?" she whispered.

"Don't worry, we're almost there," he said, giving her hand a tight squeeze as he continued forward. Soon they were walking into an old brick building a small flight of steps to the side which harry started to walk up. He stopped at a door that had the number seventeen hanging on it, but the seven had fallen to the side as it was only being held by one nail.

Harry knocked on the door, he had barely knocked twice before it swung open. Atria moved further away to the side of Harry her head lowered with the hood over it. She hoped to hide her face from Remus for as long as she could, a small childlike part of her hoping she would get through the entire encounter without him once seeing her face.

"Harry," she heard Remus say. She watched him peak his head out of the door to look at her, "quickly come in." Remus said hurriedly. Harry walked in first, Atria followed at a slower pace behind him.

Remus closed the door behind them, locking it as well before turning back to them.

"Atria what happened, are yo-" he stopped as soon as he got a good look at her, he walked over to her quickly pulling back her hood and taking her face up in his hands quickly, making her wince, " Oh my god," he said softly.

"it's alright now I swear," Atria said in a timid voice, she couldn't even believe her own words.

"no, it not!" he said lowering his hands, trying his hardest not to yell at her, trying to calm himself before she thought he was angry at her.

Her eyes darted nervously over to were harry stood staring with wide eyes, Remus followed her line of sight before turning to Harry, "Harry, could you give us a minute?" Remus asked, Harry took one more look at Atria before turning back to Remus and nodding. Remus led him from the room to another closing the door behind him.

"What happened?" he said turning back to Atria," what did he-"

"he found the picture," Atria answered quickly, "and... He put two and two together he knows I've been talking to you." she said her voice cracking as her eyes welled up," He was so angry and then he started to talk about mom and I couldn't help myself I lost it."

"Don't do that," Remus said walking up to Atria and taking her hand, "Don't blame yourself, this is not your fault, do you hear me?"

Atria wiped at her eyes hopelessly, "it feels like it is."

"it's okay," he said softly, "it's all going to be fine I promise," he said squeezing her hand.

"No, it's not" Atria sniffled.

"yes it will," he pushed, "don't worry, I have a plan."

Atria's brow raised curiously, an idea, a plan? A solution to her problems? She shook her head off it quickly, knowing that there was nothing Remus could do, and any plan he may have would only be a short term fix to a much bigger long term problem. She fought back a yawn, how was she still tired, she had slept for almost 12 hours last night. She suddenly became very aware of her body and how filthy she felt from the tips of her toes to the top of her head but apart of her did care though, all she wanted to do was curl up into a ball and die. But she knew that maybe after a shower a small part of her would feel better.

"Do you mind if I use your bathroom?" she asked looking up at him, wincing at the bite in her voice, " I'm sorry it's just, I'm tired and I feel filthy, can I use your shower."

Remus nodded, smiling down at her comfortingly, "Of course you can, I'll grab you a towel".


"That trial will not happen," Spoke the lady's cold, cool voice.

Remus turned to face her where she sat, Walburga had always been an intimidating figure, someone who need not pretend, they simply excised power unconsciously.

"Yes it will," Remus said somewhat petulantly making the older women's lip twist up in a cruel smile.

"I don't think it will." she said softly, a tone of all-knowingness in her voice, "Do you know why?"

"Why?" Remus demanded.

Walburga shook her head at his tone, "This war has not been kind to my family," she began, "My son, dead before he reached 20, my niece imprisoned, and then while one blood traitor rots in Azkaban the other lives happily with her mud blood family. The only light of this family seems to be Cissy." Remus cocked an eyebrow confused by the conversation, what was she on about, Walburga took in a deep breath before she continued, "She would have been a few years ahead of you at school. She has done well, married with a son, Draco. He's about the same age as Atria. And is it would turn out, well her husband is rather close with one of your ex-school mates, A Severus Snape." she titled her head, pleased with herself, "Who just happens to be quiet loose-lipped when it comes to you and your little friends."

It took a second for the full meaning of her words to hit, and when it did he thought he would die. She knew, they all knew what he was. And he knew she would use this information to her complete advantage.

"While I always knew my son had bad judgment I never thought he would stoop so low as to mess around with the likes of a half breed," she said cruelly, "We know what you are Lupin, and no one will allow you custody of that child."

Remus felt his chest begin to tighten, she couldn't do this, she could not. But he knew she could and she would.

"So we think it would be better to leave her where she is now, rather than create such a fuss," Walburga said as if having a friendly conversation over tea. "Besides Atria is finally starting to settle in, let's not make this harder for her with some custody battle which you will defiantly loose."

"I'm her godfather," he snapped, finally breaking out of trance while he shook with rage.

"And we, her family," Wallburgah said rising from her seat slowly, making her seem even more imposing than before, "and family comes first."

"I know exactly what your family is like," he said audaciously, "and look where it got you, one son in prison and the other dead."

"Don't talk about my sons ever," she said her voice filled with venom as she took a threatening step forward.

"Sirius isn't your son," Remus said contemptuously, "you've said so yourself, you gave up on him the minute you new you could, so what would stop you from doing the same to Atty."

"That's enough!" she snapped ferociously, "Sirius may have told you just about everything he could, but he has not been apart of this family since he was 16."

"Oh, you abandoned him long before that," Remus said pushing relentlessly.

Walburga though was not giving in, she straightened her self, standing at full height, head held high, "I think it's time for you to go, Remus," she said hauntingly calm.

Remus shook his head, "No I won't,"

"Yes you will," she said menacingly, "what life could you give her," she said mockingly, "you would destroy her," she said menacingly, "you can't even control yourself, how do you expect to raise her without killing her."

"I could ask the same of you?" he said in judgment.

"oh I won't raise her," Walburga said simply. Remus paused. What?

"I'm too old," she began to explain,"and that child will need stamina and security. I could be dead tomorrow or the day after that," She said a small shadow of and evil smile on her face, "no Cissy and Lucius will take her."

Remus froze, how could she, how could she do this, be this cruel? "that man murdered her mother," he explained softly with wild eyes but Walburga was unfazed. She leant forward, "what proof do you have of that," she whispered, "Now get this idea that you have any power over Atria's life out of your head, you have none. And if you even tried I would ruin you."

He clenched his fists fighting the urge to cry out of anger, she had him. Checkmate. There was nothing he could do, fighting at this point was completely useless because no matter what choice he made, he was ruined. If he went any further he knew Walburga would end him just to prove she could.

"Can I at least say goodbye?" he asked, his lips a tight line as he fought off the heartbreak.

Walburga lifted her chin, her lip twisting in disgust and for a moment he thought she would say no, she would deny him a simple goodbye but she stiffly nodded before leaving the room.

He waited. Was this it?

The very idea of leaving her with these people made him sick to his stomach, he almost believed Marlene would rise from the dead and kill him herself. But they were right, what chance did he have at raising her? Of giving her a good life? Regulus was loved in this family, maybe Atria would be too if her parents were not held against her. Or she would be as happy as Sirius. No! No! he could not think like that, he couldn't, the idea of leaving her to that fate was too much, he had to believe she would be fine, he had to let this go. The door opened bringing him back to reality. Walburga came through the door holding the small child's hand. As soon as they locked eyes he knew it would be hard. Atria ran from her grandmother side, a giggling mess at the sight of him.

Remus bent down to meet the child, opening his arms up for her. "Moony!" the toddler cried, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, giggling as she squeezed him tight.

It was all too much this could not be it, this could not be goodbye. His eyes burnt as he held the small girl as close to himself as possible.

"Hey Atty," he whispered, taking her by the arms and pulling her back.

"oh look how big you are," he said to himself. She had grown, she was taller, and while her hair was the curly mess it had always been it was longer.

"Listen okay," he told Atria softly, "I love you very much Atty, but Moony won't be able to see you very often anymore," He said pushing her hair out of her face softly.

"Mooney go?" The child asked.

"Yes, moony has to go."

Atria seemed to find this funny as if they were playing a game, so she giggled, "Mmhm no."

Remus cocked his head to the side, she was a child. And as one he understood she could not understand the finality of the situation. But it only made it hurt all the more, that she was oblivious to the fact he would go away and not come back, "your family is gonna take very good care of you alright, because I can't."

Atria shook her head, "Moony stay."

He couldn't hold it back anymore, the flood gates opened and the tears fell as he pulled her close to him one final time.

"I love you Atty," he whispered into her ear, before pulling away from her.

"Kreacher!" he heard Walburga call in the background, "take Atria back to bed."

"Moony," he heard Atria mumble a confused look on her face as if she too was afraid of what was to come.

"it's alright Atty," he said nodding to her, "go to bed,"

The grumpy old house-elf appeared before walking slowly up to Atria, who took his hand willingly before slowly walking her away.

"Say goodbye Atria, manners," Walbruga said, twisting the knife further into Remus.

Atria turned back to Remus shyly halting Kreacher as he tried to lead her away, "bye moony," she said softly.

And then the door was closed, and she was gone in all ways from his life.

Remus was now trying to keep up with the tears as they came, furiously wiping them away. No, he told himself, this woman would not see him cry.

"She'll be fine," he heard a voice say behind him and hand lightly placed on his shoulder," she's where she belongs, with her family."

Remus laughed a non-humorous laugh as the last of his tears fell, "Knowing your son, you could understand why that brings me little comfort."


Remus thought back to that day all the time, how different things would have been if Walburga had let her go. He remembered his first apartment, the one he bought with the spare bedroom after the war when he still hoped she would one day come to live with him. The one with the purple wallpaper and a bed sheet embroidered with the bellflowers Marlene used to love so much. But with that room came the nightmare, putting atria to bed one night safe and secure only to wake up one morning after the full moon and finding her room cut to shreds and her small lifeless body on the floor. He shook his head refusing to think on it any longer, he had her now, now she was free, and he would fix everything.

The door to the bathroom opened and atria came out, her hair was damp, she froze when she saw him sitting on the couch.

"Where's Harry?" she asked closing the bathroom door.

"He had to get home," Remus replied, "before his aunt got back."

"But where am I going to stay?" she asked, standing stiffly.

Remus tilted his head, did she think she would stay at Harry's for the foreseeable future, "hear, of course, are you comfortable with that?"

Her eyes looked vacantly through him as if she was thinking about something else, but soon enough, she had straightened herself out and nodded stiffly at him, "yes it's fine."

He smiled and nodded at her, "Well, you weren't going to hide in Harry's room forever, I doubt that would have worked."

She gave a small smile before tilting her head down, "are you alright with me staying here?"

"Of course I am Atria, I have no problems with it at all."

She lowered her head as she walked over to the couch, "I didn't even get to say goodbye," he heard her mumble under her breath.

He lent back on the couch as he watched her move closer, "Feel better after that?"

Atria shrugged sitting down on the couch, "A little."

"Atria you're not going back to the Malfoy's," he said cutting through the silence.

She was looking at him rather petulantly as if nothing he could say would move her in any way shape or form, "Well I think that's not true," she said arrogantly, "I think I will eventually have to go back, it's not like I can stay here with you, they'd find me and take me back."

"You have family, other than the Malfoys, you know?"

"Well yes but Sirius isn't going to be able to-"

"Atria," Remus said leaning in his elbows on his knees, "will you listen?" Remus asked softly. He knew how she could be. She denied anything that could give her slightest amount of hope, knowing that she instead liked to let herself believe the worst, so she was never disappointed, but all she had to do was listen.

Atria leant back in her chair calming herself, she pressed her lips firmly together, fighting the urge to say something as her impatience reached its peak.

"Thank you." Remus said, "Now, Have you heard the name, Andromeda?"

He saw a slight glimpse of recognition in her eyes before she nodded he head slowly, "Yes."

"Well I have been writing to her recently, we've been talking about you," he kept an eye on her as he explained making sure she was following along, "I think she would very much like to meet you and I think she may know better than anyone else just what you are be going through."

"Would she?"

"Yes."

"I don't even know her," Atria said dismissively.

"Atria," Remus said softly "she would help you, don't shut people because your afraid they'll disappoint you."

"But why shouldn't I," she snapped, "what are the chances that even if she tries to take me in, she'll be able to. She'll probably fail and everything would have been for nothing and I'll go back home and everything will be the way it was and I'll be trapped in that awful house with that awful man and he'll continue to hurt me because I will never be able to be what everyone wants, and then what, I'll never see Sirius again and I'll never see you again and I'll be all alone again and then what will I have?" she hadn't realized she had started to scream or cry but by the end of the sentence her chest was rapidly moving up and down trying to get more air into them.

"You will never lose me," Remus said sternly, "I will always be here, and I promise you I will never let you go in that house again, that he will never touch you again."

"How can you promise that!" she cried furiously, "a promise like that is as good as a lie, and I'm so tired of people lying to me."

"I Don't lie to you when I tell you I will protect you," he said calmly, understanding she was working herself up, "you are not alone, there a people who will help you Atria but you have to let them and for that, you have to hope, don't resign yourself to a life you hate because you're scared to fight for it."

"BUT I'LL LOOSE!" she screamed.

"No we won't," he said, Atria threw herself back on the couch as the cried, almost like a child having a tantrum, she curled herself into a ball as she continued to cry hiding her face in her knees.

Remus stood and moved to sit next to her placing a comforting hand on her back.

"Please," he heard her whisper, "I just want to be alone."

He took a deep breath as his heart broke for her, he knew what it felt like to feel so alone that the very idea of letting someone in was almost an impossibility and he didn't want her to continue to think she was, "but you're not alone," Remus said softly as he rubbed her back.

He watched her shyly peak her eyes over the top of her knees and he gazed into the wet grey orbs as she.

"You have me."


How was that?