Claire felt like she could hardly breath, like a vacuum was trying to pull the oxygen from her very cells. She was in a corner of the Great Hall, holding a very panicked little boy under each arm, back to the wall. Her eyes darted around the room, to the windows and doorways. There were Aurors present, some talking with the teachers, others walking the perimeter of the room, checking possible entry ways. Others still, she knew, were sweeping the grounds, all with one goal; Find Sirius Black. From her position she could see her daughter, fast asleep in a clump of other Ravenclaw girls. It was easy to spot her in a crowd, because all she had to do was look for her best friend Luna's white-blonde hair. Caleb was starting fall asleep as well, but Jamie, her worrier, was scanning the room in much the same was as his mother.

"You know, I think there are enough eyes up and about, maybe you should rest yours." She commented in a soft, gentle whisper as she hugged the tense eight year old closer.

"Mummy... Where is daddy?" He yawned, snuggling into his mother's side.

"He's with the other teachers, protecting everyone." She explained, stroking the tiny boy's hair down.

"Oh." He replied simply, his voice heavy with sleep.

"Va dormir maintenant." She commanded him to sleep, and placed a kiss on his head. The boy gave a small nod and tucked into her as close as he could, closing his eyes. It was nearly another hour before Remus reappeared through the doors, searching the student piles, first Ravenclaw for Ellie, then Gryffindor for Harry. He simply made sure both were sleeping soundly before coming over to where his wife and children were huddled together.

"It's all clear." He whispered with a shrug. He stooped down and picked Caleb up, cradling the tiny boy to his chest before taking the boy's place beside Claire, holing her free hand in his. "I realize this does not make you feel better. And with it being the anniversary, and all..."

"Not at all. But this does." She picked their joined hands up and gave him a small smile, cutting him off from mentioning the date, the anniversary of her brother and sister-in-law's deaths. He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"Are you going to be alright?" He ask, as she laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. "Is there any way I am going to be able to make you feel safe?"

"I don't think I've felt safe since this started." She confessed. "I'm sorry. I know how much it means to you that you're protecting us."

"Its alright, chèrie. I know what you mean. I feel uneasy as well. I overheard Snape accusing me to Dumbledore earlier." He told her. She looked up at him, her brow furrowed.

"What?!"

"Shh." He reminded her of the many, many sleeping children in the room before them, as well as their own at their sides. "No big thing. He offered the theory that I might have been 'helping an old friend', but Dumbledore reminded him of the many reasons that this hypothesis was ludicrous." He gave a soft chuckle.

"Well, I should hope so." She yawned.

"Why don't you sleep?" Remus suggested.

"You first." She retorted, already closing her eyes and nuzzling her cheek into his bicep. He laughed again and shook his head.

"Sleep darling, I'll keep watch on you all." He said, and Claire hummed some sort of reply, but he knew she was crashing from the panic she'd been in, and the adrenaline would leave her exhausted, so he kept his word and didn't move as she started to drift off to sleep.


The next morning, after a bit of an allowed delay in classes starting, saw life back to the norm for Hogwarts students. Claire kept the boys home with her, and they slept in all day, both of them snuggled into the large king-sized bed with their mother when Remus left for class.

He was surprised, however, when after his fourth class of the day, second year students, his daughter had stayed around after all the other students had filed out of the classroom. It was odd for Chantelle, who tried to treat Remus as she would any other teacher, which he tried to do with her as any other student. But he could tell something was on her mind, so he dropped the 'Professor Lupin' mode, and waved her up to the front of the classroom.

"Hey Sweetheart, is something on your mind?" He ask, propping on the front ledge of his desk. Ellie bit at her left ring-finger nail nervously, her eyes on the floor. "Chantelle?" He said a bit firmer, as he guided her hand down from her mouth and then he waited for her to look up and meet his eyes. "What's bothering you?"

"Is this Sirius Black bloke..." He voice shook, and she closed her eyes tightly, a tear sliding down her cheek, "Is he- M-" She hesitated again, almost like she was choking on the words.

"Technically." Remus answered honestly, cutting her off so she wouldn't have to finish the thought which so obviously pained her. His whole face softened, and he hurt for his daughter. "But only biologically."

Before he had time to blink, Ellie had slammed into him, her face buried in his stomach, arms clinging tightly to him. She was crying, and shaking. "I love you, daddy. You're my dad." She croaked. Remus wrapped his arms around her and placed a long kiss on the top of her head.

"I love you, darling. So so so much. I hope you know that nothing will ever change that. You're my little girl. You've been mine since the moment you entered this world. I was the first to hold you. I loved you more in that moment than I ever knew I could love another person. And your brothers are just the same. Understand that? You don't have to do anything with this new information, right?" He ask, and she nodded against him. "You are my child."

"I'm sorry." She said, pulling away finally. "I just- I saw how much mum was freaking out last night, and it sort of put together, like it clicked. I wish it hadn't. I never wanted to know."

"You never have to do anything with this. You can walk out of this room and forget you know." He reminded her. "Nothing can ever make you less my little princess."

"Thanks, dad." She said, laughing a bit as she wiped her tears. Remus offered her a tissue from his desk, and she took one and wiped the remaining moisture from her cheeks. "Promise me you won't tell mum?"

"Of course. You know I won't." He confirmed.

"Or the boys?" She reminded him.

"No reason we should." He agreed. "Lots of people have sperm donors and never include them in their lives." This comment made Chantelle laugh, and her whole face lit up, Remus could tell she was relieved. She hugged him again and ran off for the door.

"Thank you, dad. Love you!" She called, and he laughed as she went.

"Love you, sunshine!" He called after her. "Don't be late to class!"


Remus had no sooner started to erase the chalk boards to prepare for his next set of students when he heard another set of feet against the stone floor. He turned and saw that Harry had came into the room, looking almost as conflicted as Ellie had been. He swallowed, preparing himself for another emotional conversation.

"Harry!" He greeted cheerfully. He had started to build some what of a relationship with the young boy, his nephew.

"Professor Lupin, I hate to bother you..." He started, but Remus cut him off.

"Harry I told you when we had tea, my door is always open. You need to know I mean it." Remus reminded the young boy, who nodded.

"Yes, sir. It's just-" He started, and paused, thinking. He scratched nervously at the back of his unruly black hair, and Remus was almost blown away by how much he looked like his father in that moment, just from that simple gesture. He noticed his own sons had the same sort of thing. There were things that made Jamie, and Caleb especially, look more like him than they did normally.

"Just?" Remus ask, guiding Harry to sit down, and Remus took the seat next to him at one of the empty desks. He waited a few moments for Harry to put his thoughts together.

"I over heard Snape talking with the Headmaster last night, asking if I should be warned?" He confessed. "And Dumbledore cut him off before he could finish the thought. But the thing is, sir, Mr. Weasley, Ron's dad- He already told me that Black was supposed to be after me."

"Oh." Remus tried to sound surprised, but he knew he failed.

"I just- I think you know why; See, I would also like to know..." He said, somewhat nervously.

"Oh, Harry, my dear boy... There is so much there to even know where to begin." Remus confessed. "And I really fear that I am not the one to tell you."

"Why?" Harry seemed to be a bit angry now. Remus smiled gently.

"Because I can't. I've been magically bound into silence by the Ministry... Honestly I'm a little surprised I was just able to tell you that much. But I know who can." Remus lead Harry down the corridor and into the Transfiguration wing. He knew Minerva McGonagall would have her first years at the moment, but it was his free period as well as Harry's, so there was no other option but to ask her to step outside.

"Professor Lupin?" The older witch ask, her voice sounding a bit concerned when she saw he had brought Harry with him to see her. "Everything alright?"

"I am so sorry to disturb your class." Remus apologized, "But Harry has some questions, and I needed your help."

"Questions, Potter?" She said, looking the teen over.

"About why Black would be after me." Harry said quietly. McGonagall clicked her tongue, looking at Remus in a slightly disapproving way, but she didn't speak to it.

"I see." She said, an eyebrow arched.

"Professor Lupin said he was not the one who should tell me, that someone else would be better at answering my questions." Harry explained further.

"I'm afraid it isn't me either, sorry." She replied curtly. Harry's head snapped up from where he was looking at his shoes, looking from one teacher to the other and back.

"I'm sorry, what?" He said, his anger showing.

"Its not me, Mr. Potter." She repeated. "Your Professor means Claire."

Now it was very evident that Harry was completely lost. He took a moment and appeared to be trying to rationalize this. He tilted his head, brow furrowed, and ask, "Your wife?" Remus didn't acknowledge the question, he simply waited for the older witch.

"Claire Melodia Potter Lupin. You father's only sibling, his younger sister." McGonagall answered. Harry looked a bit pale at this news. He stumbled backward a bit and grabbed to Professor Lupin's sleeve before he passed out into a pile on the floor.


Sorry it has been so long since I have updated this. It is still my favorite to write on, but life has been in the way. Hoping to get back to regular updates.

Hope everyone is enjoying the story! If you're wondering why it had to be this way for Harry to find out about his family, or how their reunion will be, review and let me know what you think should/will happen. I will try to have the next chapter up in a couple weeks.

Thanks for reading!