"I think it landed over here, Miss Sims," Harry called. After Quidditch practice Harry told Miss Sims that his extra golden Snitch had gotten away and landed along the edge of the forest.

"Harry," she said. "It's against the rules to be in the Forbidden Forest. Besides wouldn't you rather go and get Hagrid to find it for you?"

"No, I think it landed over here," Harry called back. The two walked along the edge of the Forest and Harry scouted around for Sirus.

"Harry," Miss Sims said, "We better get back to Hogwarts, it's getting late."

Just then, a large, black dog jumped out of the bushes and started to growl at them.

"Look out, Harry," she said. "It's that stray dog that's been wandering around Hogsmede."

"He's no dog," Harry said. "Kristen Sims, I believe you've met Sirus Black."

Sirus quickly took his true form and gave her an evil glare, "Hello Kristen."

"Sirus," Kristen glared back. "You got a lot of nerve showing up here!"

"You're pretty gutsy for a half-breed!" Sirus retored.

"Are you trying to put evil thoughts into Harry's head? Bad enough you knocked off his parents. You want him too?"

"Hey! Hey I was framed and at least I wasn't a coward who ran away to America!!"

Harry was confused. "Ok Ok! What's going on here?!"

"Tell him, Kristen!" Sirus taunted. "Tell him who's really responsible for Lily and James's DEATH!!!"

Kristen lowered her eyes and whispered, "I am."

Harry looked at her in disbelief. "But how...?"

"Harry, it was an accident. Voldemort put something on my car and was tracking me somehow. I was going to visit my best friend Lily. I wanted to see my Godchild who just turned a year old. I didn't know I was being followed." She looked over at Sirus again. "It's not like I gave away the address!!"

"Kristen, he's innocent!! I know and Dumbledore knows. Please listen," Harry cried.

"Listen to the kid!" Sirus yelled.

"Kristen, he is innocent. It's a long complicated story but he is. Please believe me." Harry said. He was on the verge of crying.

"Sirus, I'm going to believe Harry. Lily would've wanted that," she said.

"But you know what happened that night." Harry said to Kristen. "Were you there? Why didn't you get killed?"

Kristen paused and took a deep breath. She took a seat on a nearby tree stump. "Harry, I have to start from the beginning. Harry, your mother and I were friends since Kindergarten. We grew up together, then one day I find out Lily is a witch and that's she's going away to a special school. I missed her so much, but she always came back for summer and for holidays. She'd share stories and show me tricks she had learned. My own life wasn't all that great. I wasn't popular in school and when Lily was away I dreamed of the exciting time she was having. All I wanted more than anything was to be a witch like her. I thought I'd make a better witch than a muggle."

"Tell him about that night!" Sirus yelled.

"I'm getting there!!" she yelled back. "I went to visit Lily and James and I had no idea I was being followed. Lily took you upstairs to put you to bed. James and I were downstairs. That's when it happened. Three men in dark cloaks came in. One I thought was Sirus. They used the death spell on James." Her eyes were wide and started to water and a look of terror came over her face. "I saw them kill James. It was just like that. Then they turned on me...."

"But you're alive now," Harry asked.

"That's what I want to know!" Sirus exclaimed.

"One thing I read in one of Lily's Defense Against Dark Arts books was that certain spells have no effect on muggles. The death spell is one of them. But I'll tell you, just because it doesn't kill you doesn't mean it doesn't have any kick to it. The force of that spell slammed me up against the wall and knocked me in the head. All I remember after that was I heard Lily scream 'Not Harry! Please Not Harry!...and she was gone." Kristen's eyes began to fill with tears and she couldn't hold them back. "I came to in the hospital. I was told that I suffered a head injury. Then I heard that you had been sent to live with Lily's sister. I wanted custody but the court ruled that blood relations get the rights to guardianship."

"But why did you run away," Harry asked.

"Because I was ashamed and scared," she continued. "I felt like it was my fault your parents died. I hated myself because there was nothing I could do about it and I worried that one day you would learn about what happened and hate me. I'm so sorry, Harry. I loved your mother and I miss her so much." Kristen began to cry again.

Harry put his arms around her. "I forgive you. It wasn't your fault, nor was it Sirus's. We both know Voldemort is to blame for the death of my parents and many others. Sitting here fighting about it isn't going to bring them back."

"You're right Harry." Sirus said. "Kristen, I'm sorry."

Kristen wiped her eyes. "I didn't want to believe you really were responsible for killing James. I promise I won't tell anyone about you."

Harry smiled but suddenly a familar sound came from the distance.

"Harry, you out there boy?!"

"It's Hagrid," said Harry. Sirus quickly turned back into a dog and hid in the bushes. Kristen stood up as Hagrid approached.

"There ya are lad," he said. "Yeh best be getting back inside now."

"It's my fault, Hagrid," Kristen said. "We were looking for Harry's extra Snitch but I think we found it now."

"OK then," said Hagrid as he turned back towards his house. Kristen and Harry decided to go back to the school.

"Thanks, Kristen," said Harry.

"Hey am I your godmother or what?" she joked.