~CoNvIcTiOnS~
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."
--Anonymous
Hey! This is Hotpunk again! I want to thank all that reviewed! I LUV YOU ALL! And I hate you all who didn't review... hehe I'm so harsh. But really. I got very little reviews. Please make me happier this time... please note that I was so close to ending this story but I decided if I get any less than what I got last time then I am not continuing... (If you don't review than you hate the story so why should I continue?)
~*~
Maddy and Fiora urgently made their way towards Remus' house. It was shabby looking from his absence to Hogwarts but it looked as though recently it had been worked on. Maddy stopped. What if he was under the spell..? I don't think I can take it if I'm sure Sirius is guilty. She saw a curtain move and Remus' stunned face peer out. He quickly vanished and reappeared as he opened his door, his jaw dropped then he grinned.
"Fiora! Maddy! I don't believe it!" He exclaimed hugging them both.
"Hey Remus! I had heard you were here and.. Well I think Maddy and I want to know what has been going on," She said a little awkwardly.
HE grinned and nodded, but then he frowned. "Are you going to believe me?" he asked doubtfully. He knew Fiora too well. She always believed the ministry couldn't make mistakes. She smiled slightly.
"Yes. I had a conflict with the ministry. If your stories believable then I will believe it." Remus grinned slightly and let them both in.
~--*--~
"Relationships are a blessing and a responsibility.
Take care to let your words and deeds convey the right
Message to those who look up to you."
--Anonymous
~--*--~
Sirius couldn't believe what had happened that day, days before. He had been at Hogwarts. Harry knew the truth. Remus knew the truth. Dumbledore even knew the truth. If Peter hadn't escaped it would have been a great day. But Sirius was still guilty. Peter was still alive. And Maddy didn't know the truth. He was far from Hogwarts by now. He was preparing to let himself be seen to lift security from Hogwarts. Once that was done, he would set off. Journeying had become a big part of his life, since he had no where else to stay. It kept him busy. It will have to do.
~*~
Remus led Fiora and Maddy into the house. It was well treated on the inside unlike the outside. It was a very modern house and was so clean. Maddy felt very out of place. She followed behind Fi and Remus till they got to the living room. Remus gestured for them to sit down.
"Make yourselves at home. Fiora I thought you moved? Mind explaining that to me?"
"Certainly. I moved back!" She said with a smile.
"Yes... but why?" He asked curiously.
"Curiosity killed the cat Remus."
"If it will kill Mrs. Norris I wouldn't mind a bit. I still hate that cat. Isn't much trouble when you're a teacher though..."
Fiora laughed and noticed Maddy looking rather uncomfortable.
Maddy glanced at her and spoke before she could think about what she was saying
"How about you tell us now about Sirius."
Remus raised a brow at her.
"You still have a horrible temper. Almost as bad as Sirius'." He said pointedly. Maddy sat back in the chair and allowed him to continue.
"First off: He's innocent."
Fiora raised a brow "I want proof."
"I can't give you the proof at the moment, only my word, but I'll tell you the story."
Fiora nodded. "Good enough."
Maddy was a little stunned He's innocent! He's innocent! She was cheering to herself inside her head, and then she tuned it out to listen to Remus.
~*~
Months passed. It was nearly the end of Harry's fourth year. Sirius paced back and fourth in Dumbledore's office.
"Sirius, please calm down. I actually understand why James chose you to be his godfather now... at first I thought you were a little too immature to take on the role."
Sirius grunted. Usually a joke would have been there but Sirius was too worried about Harry. He knew this was a setup. It was planned... by ... by someone...
Only then did Sirius look up. Dumbledore had left. He glanced out the window. He saw a crowd of people standing there, and Dumbledore striding up to the crowd. Sirius pulled back not daring to watch what had happened...
~--*--~
"Very rarely is a situation forced upon us.
Be aware of your power to choose, and
Take responsibility for what you allow
To happen."
--Anonymous
~--*--~
Maddy sat up suddenly in bed. She had tears streaming down her face. I wish that dream was true…she said to herself. Lily and James had been there… and Sirius. She missed them all. She had found Remus and Fiora and that helped a lot but she needed Sirius. Now that she knew Sirius was innocent she had found the urge to just go and find him. She heard a tapping on the window and looked over. An owl was they're carrying a note. She opened the letter and took it opening it up right away.
She read it aloud to herself
Dear Maddy,
Have you heard? Cedric Diggory was killed! Harry and Cedric had gotten to the cup first and both got it when they were transported right to Voldemort! That is so scary! Cedric was killed by Avada Kedavra but Harry got out and brought Cedrics body too. Have you even seen Harry yet? He looks so much like James its scary! But he has Lily's eyes. Please write me back soon! Oh and I hope your feeling better! Bye!
Love,
Fi
She stared at the paper a bit. Then went to her desk to grab a quill and some parchment. She grabbed her favorite violet ink (to match her eyes) and started writing.
Dear Fi,
Is Harry all right… not hurt at all? That boy will keep on amazing everyone wont he. No I haven't seen him yet but I have heard that he looks a lot like James. I do hope to see him soon though. Yes I'm feeling better thanks; I don't know what came over me… I just… well all the memories of James and Lily and even Sirius came to me then. I really want to see Sirius… he's innocent! I still can't believe it… I know I'm going on and on about one stupid thing but I can't stand it… Well I better go… bye!
Love,
Madeline Day Caswell
PS. Don't ask me why I put my whole name.
Maddy read over the message and sent it out with her owl, Callisto. Callisto flew off, her deep violet wings shining in the summer sun. (She had turned Callisto violet to mach with nearly everything in her house including her own hair and eyes)
~*~
Sirius walked to the cave in Hogsmeade. He padded along the street getting funny looks from the people at his size. He padded up the hill and into the cave. He lay down at the entrance and stare down at Hogsmeade. He knew some of those people. Most of them from when he was at school. They were leading their kids around scolding them when the kids do something wrong… why scold em? Sirius thinks. I never got scolded and I turned out fine. Well, if you just ignore the fact that I'm a convicted murderer… but that could have happened to anyone in this case.
Sirius stared down at the streets and suddenly noticed a familiar blond. He nearly jumped when she looked his way. He quickly jumped up and ran into the cave.
She saw me… oh noo… Please don't tell anyone Fi… pleeaaseee…He pleaded inside his head he hid in the back of the cave. He prayed she would just assume him another big black dog… but when he heard the footsteps entering the cave he knew she wouldn't.
"Sirius?" she whispered. She doesn't seem scared… Sirius thought hopefully, wanting her to know the truth…
"Sirius please, I know your in here, I also know the truth… your innocent… come on out."
Sirius felt as though a large chunk of lead had been lifted from his back as he transformed, leaving himself in clear view.
She nearly fell backwards with surprise. She stared at first. Sirius stared back. He raised a brow slightly wondering if she would say anything.
"Sirius… oh gosh, I'm sorry I-I am kind of used to- to thinking you're a murderer and all…"
He nodded. "Yeah. Most people are." It came out more bitterly than he intended but she seemed to get the picture.
"Well… here you are… I wonder what Maddy would give to be here now…" She let out a nervous laugh. She knew he was innocent but Remus had told about how vicious he had been to the fat lady when she wouldn't let him in… and she was slightly afraid of him losing his temper…
"Maddy? D-does she know the truth?" He stuttered with surprise and hopefulness.
"Oh, yes she does. Actually I am supposed to be meeting her…"
"Don't tell her I'm here."
Fiora looked slightly surprised and felt the nervousness go right out of her.
"Why not?"
"I want to surprise her." He said with a small grin. HE transformed then and walked over to her as if saying to lead the way. She grinned. This is the Sirius I used to know. Liking to startle Maddy was a big thing in his life. Haha…
~*~
Maddy stood there, by Zonko's and waited. She's 5 minutes late! This isn't like her! Maddy thought. Then she looked up. Fiora was walking up to her grinning.
"Hey Maddy what's up?"
"Well, your five minutes late… you know I hate people being late! Its soo annoying!"
Fiora couldn't help but laugh. She remembered when Sirius had kept them all waiting for dinner. She nearly stabbed him with a butter knife. No actually she just punched him so hard he was in the hospital wing for a week.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing. Nothing." Fi said through giggles. The look on Sirius' face was unforgettable! I had the biggest crush on him then. But Maddy was dating him. I remember how sad I was when Maddy and him went out for the first time. Haha I nearly cried myself to sleep.
She looked at Maddy who was staring wide-eyed at something behind Fiora. Fiora had a good idea of what it was. She looked around and saw the big black dog wagging its tail lightly, sitting a few yards away.
"Come here Padfoot! For gods sake I don't think Maddy's going to bite… or stab you with butter knives…" That had been a big joke for quite a few years. (Maddy often said, "I was joking! I wasn't really going to stab him with butter knives!")
She saw an amused look on Sirius' face though it was hard to see on the dog. He padded up and was staring at Maddy nervously. He stopped wagging his tail and just stared at her, his head lowered a bit.
Maddy was so startled suddenly she turned and walked into Zonko's.
She looked like she was going to explode. Her face had gotten all red and her eyes were so wide even Sirius in his dog form was shaking with laughter. After a few moments she peered out of Zonko's.
Sirius looked at Fiora. She knew what he was thinking. He wanted to be in human form. She nodded and walked into Zonko's.
"Maddy?" she giggled slightly "You looked like you were going to explode."
She just muttered under her breath "Omigod Omigod.."
Fiora broke into laughter and walked out of Zonko's to regain her seriousness
When she felt ready she walked back in.
"Come on Maddy, Sirius wants to be in human form and see you."
Maddy felt nauseous but nodded and let Fiora drag her out. Sirius barked and raced up towards the hills. He had a slight limp that only showed when he ran. Maddy wondered why and what was wrong.
Maddy was dragged to a cave up on the hill she walked in with Fi behind her. Sirius had already transformed and was still staring at her as though it was all a beautiful dream.
He looked away from her suddenly. He had just remembered something.
"I'm sorry." He said. "For everything." He added in a croaky voice. He couldn't stop forgetting that phrase… right when Sirius had gone to Azkaban…
~---~
~--Memory--~
Maddy walked into the cell. Sirius glanced up and felt dread overcome his body. He looked back to the floor.
She waited the words seemed to have gotten stuck in her throat. "I hate you Sirius… I hate you more than… than Voldemort himself… I hope you die in this place…" and with that she turned around, tears streaming down her face, and walked out.
~--End of memory--~
~---~
Suddenly he had the urge to get out of there. He had to get out of there… The memory from Azkaban became too much… I shouldn't have thought about it… Apparently Fiora noticed the changes in Sirius mood…
"Sirius?" she asked. He collapsed to his knees.
~--*--~
"Experience is the passport to wisdom-
Live what you learn and the most
Important lessons are never lost…"
--Anonymous
~--*--~
"I'm so, so sorry…" He said again ignoring Fiora. All he could think of is what he caused. It's all my fault… He thought.
Fiora stared at him a little confused. He was in such a good mood earlier! Maybe Maddy was a little too much for him to handle…She realized suddenly.
"Hold on a minute… Maddy let me talk to you for a moment…" She pulled Maddy from the cave and stared at her.
"What did you say that night when you went into tell Sirius something? When he was in Azkaban?" Maddy seemed to have forgotten about that…
"I said that I hated him more than Voldemort…"
"Ok." Fiora said. She walked back into the cave but stopped and turned back.
"Ok, I just want to know… do you have any idea what the hell he's sorry for..?"
"No… I was trying to figure it out… god this day is soo strange…" Fiora noticed Maddy's eyes. They were an unnatural violet now, so bright that they looked slightly pink. She smiled and turned and walked in. Sirius was in dog form. He had just caught a rat (He always transformed because it was easier to catch them) and was holding in his jaws. He dropped it and transformed a little embarrassed, he walked to the corner of the cave and sat down.
"Maybe we should go…" Maddy whispered to Fiora, Sirius heard.
"No! I mean… nevermind… sorry…" Sirius looked at the ground.
Fi bit her lip and nodded. They walked out of the cave. Maddy was still feeling sick and suddenly felt so energized. She wanted to turn back and hug Sirius but she couldn't. She felt so strange around him…
~*~
So? How'd y'all like it? I hope its ok. It gets more adventurous later on when Maddy and Fiora get to trust Sirius more. This is the whole starting point. Right now the story hasn't even started. More like a few chapters of a prologue. Well, see you later! REVIEW NOW OR ELSE!
-Hotpunk