Wow, I can't believe it has been a year since I published this. Thanks for all of the support! All credits go to J.K Rowling. I don't own anything.

"How- what," Grace could not speak.

"Please hear me out," Sirius Black said.

Grace couldn't help but stare at the man. His hair hung past his shoulders, and he was skinny, so skinny.

"Fine, but not here," Grace couldn't believe she said that. It was like someone else was talking. She took a hesitant step towards Black. He was watching her carefully.

"If you do anything, I will stun you and bring you to Dumbledore."

The man smiled. "I wouldn't expect anything less. Turn into your animagus form."

"How did you-?"

"Just do it!"

So she did. She looked up at Black and was surprised when he changed into a black dog. The same one Harry and her saw. Grace was sure she was going to faint. Black lead her outside to the Whomping Willow. After pressing something on the tree, it stopped moving. He ran into a tunnel the tree was hiding, Grace followed. They walked for a while before they ended up in an abandoned house. There, they changed back into humans.

"Are we in the Shrieking Shack," Grace asked? Black nodded, then pointed to a chair.

"Please sit," he waited until she did, "listen I-well, I'm hungry."

Grace stifled a laugh," You brought me all the way here to say that? Dobby!"

A tiny house elf popped up. Black looked at Grace like she was crazy.

"You called miss," Dobby saw Sirius Black and said," Miss, it's him, it's Sirius Black. We have to go now. Dobby must get you out of here."

"Dobby! No, please don't tell anyone about this. If something goes wrong I will call you but if I don't then I'm fine," Grace reassured the elf, "now can you bring us some leftover food from the feast? Please?"

Dobby disappeared then a while later came back with a basket of food. He handed it to Grace.

"Is that all?"

"Yes, thank you, Dobby."

He left for the final time and Grace handed the basket to Black.

"Will you tell me now?"

Sirius Black had the most appalled look on his face.

"You hand me a basket of food and expect me to speak?"

"Right. Sorry. But hurry up I don't have all night."

He ate fast, nothing less of what Grace expected. She would have to if she was in Azkaban for twelve years. When he finally finished he leaned back and sighed.

"Where do I begin?"

"The beginning. Probably from when Lily and James went into hiding with Harry and me."

"Ah, yes, you know that you are a Potter? Well, the war was raging and a prophecy was made about your brother, claiming him as Lord Voldermorts equal. That's about the time you guys went into hiding, he was looking for Harry. Dumbledore placed a very strong Fidelius Charm on your house. The Potters then insisted on making me the secret keeper. For a while, we, you, lived safely, until we realized the light side had a traitor in our midst. Everyone was blaming everyone, and the lack of trust declined rapidly. I persuaded Lily and James to change their secret keeper to Peter Pettigrew at the last moment. I'm to blame.

"The night they passed I went to check on Peter, to make sure he was safe, but he was gone. There were no signs of struggle. It didn't feel right, I was scared. I went straight to your parent's house. When I saw their house, destroyed, and their bodies... I realized what Peter did... what I did. I went to confront him that morning. When I cornered him he yelled out so the whole street could hear, that I betrayed Lily and James. Then before I could do anything he tore up the street with his wand, cut his finger off, and ran down in the sewers with the other rats."

"Wait, Peter Pettigrew was, is an animagus? He was a rat? Oh god! Is it Ron's pet rat Scabbers?"

Sirius smiled, "Smart girl. Yes, he is Scabbers. He also-."

"UHHHG! Disgusting! No wonder why he always stared at me when I changed!"

"He what?! Ooh when I get my hands on him, I'm gonna-."

"Wait, no! If we can capture him and turn him into Dumbledore or the Ministry we can prove your innocents. You'll be a free man. Harry can have his godfather back. He can have a somewhat proper family."

"That's what I'm trying to do. I'm just waiting for the right time."

"Well, as much fun this has been, I really must go," Grace said truthfully, "they're probably looking for me."

"Yeah," Sirius stood up, he looked sad, "Can you bring me things until I catch Peter? Like food and clothing?"

"Of course. I'll see you soon."

And with that Grace changed back into her animagus form and ran back to the castle. She went to an abandoned hallway and changed back to her human form. She walked in the direction of the Gryffindor common room when she heard a voice.

"Miss. Malfoy there you are! Everyone has been searching for you! Didn't you hear?" Professor McGonagall exclaimed, "Come, let's get you to the Great Hall! Sirius Black was trying to get into the Gryffindor tower."

Grace acted surprised and quickly followed the erratic professor to the Great Hall. She saw everyone was in sleeping bags asleep and went to join them. She scouted the hall for her friends and when she found them she walked over a laid down. For she was exhausted, so much new information had been poured into her head today and she needed a rest. She would tell her friends tomorrow.

The next morning, after everyone got up, and the Great Hall was changed back, Grace told Bri and Ella about her nightly adventure.

"You're really going to trust him," Bri asked.

"I don't know. His story sounded legit. If I can prove Ron's rat is Peter Pettigrew then all will be well. But until then I'm going to proceed with caution."

For the next few days, the school talked about nothing else but Sirius Black. Everyone was making up theories about how he entered the castle. Each one was wilder than the next. The Fat Lady's ripped canvas had been taken off the wall and replaced with the portrait of Sir Cadogan and his fat grey pony. Nobody was very happy about this. Sir Cadogan spent half his time challenging people to duals, and the rest thinking up ridiculously complicated passwords, that he changed at least twice a day.

"He is a complete lunatic," said Seamus Finnigan angrily to Percy.

"Cant we get anyone else?"

"None of the other pictures wanted the job," said Percy, "frightened of what happened to the Fat Lady. Sir Cadogan was the only one brave enough to volunteer."

Sir Cadogan, however, was the least of Grace's worries. She was afraid of being caught because she was in close association with Black. Not only that but she was now being closely watched along with Harry. Teachers with find excuses to walk along the corridors with them. To cap it all, Professor McGonagall summoned Harry and Grace into her office with such a somber expression on her face Grace thought someone must have passed away.

"Harry, Grace, I don't know how to tell you guys this, and after three years I should have by now but...," she sighed, "you guys are siblings."

'"Were what," Harry exclaimed. So Professor McGonagall told him the story she had already heard once.

"Grace? You're quiet," the Professor said.

"I already knew. I was going to tell him myself tonight."

"You knew," Harry asked, "who told you?"

"Professor Lupin."

After Professor McGonagall was sure their exchange was done she said another thing.

"Sirius Black is after you guys."

"We know, we heard Ron's dad tell his mom," Harry said.

Professor McGonagall seemed taken back. She stared at them for a moment or two and then said, I see! Well, in that case, you'll understand why I don't think it is a good idea for you to be practicing Quidditch in the evenings. Out on the field is very exposed-."

"We have our first match on Saturday!" said Harry, outraged, "We have to train Professor."

"If I may interrupt, Professor," Grace said, "I am in my seventh year at Hogwarts and I'm very skilled in defense."

Professor McGonagall considered them intently. Harry and Grace both knew she was deeply interested in the Gryffindor team's prospects. They waited, holding their breaths.

"Hmm... Well, goodness knows, I'd like to see us win the cup at least. So fine, I would be calmer knowing a teacher was out there watching, just in case. I'll ask Madam Hooch to oversee your practices."

Harry and Grace looked at each other in victory.

So that's that. Happy New Year to all, hope this year treats you well. Constructive criticism is appreciated.

~amhowe