The years after Hogwarts were tough at first. Alexia didn't stay at
home very much. The ministry, which had started to become more sensitive
towards the muggle world had commissioned Alexia to speak with muggle
parents with magical children about the wizarding world. She also was to
help them prepare their children for Hogwarts, but only if the parents
allowed for it. She traveled constantly and was visiting some new place
weekly.
She kept in constant contact with her friends. Dory was now teaching at Hogwarts, Remus was working in the ministry. They had married shortly after school and now had twins, Caesar and Anastasia Lupin. She wasn't quite sure about what James and Lily were doing, but she did know that they had also married and that they had a little baby boy named Harry. Sirius was the most mysterious one of all. Every letter she got from him said that he was on some grand adventure.
The day of October 31, 1981 however she knew what everyone was doing. Or at least the ones she had questions about. It was that day when she read in the Daily Prophet that Lily and James were killed. She was in Brussels at the time and she quickly apparated to the ministry.
"My God I can't believe he is really gone." An official was saying almost happy like
"James Potter is dead and you're celebrating?" Alexia asked
The man turned around and there was her father staring at her. "Perhaps you should read up on current events Miss Cambridge. Apparently Lily and James stopped You-Know-Who. He's gone!" he said, "However maybe you should be worried about your friend Sirius Black. Apparently he was the one who betrayed the Potters."
"He wouldn't." Alexia said, "there has to be a mistake."
"Alexia don't be a fool. The man is dangerous. He was their secret keeper and they were betrayed, it's all very clear."
"Dad, I would trust my life with Sirius there is no way he did that!" Alexia protested
"Our evidence tells us otherwise. I am in charge of this investigation and if you think something is wrong with it then you are the one who must be mistaken. The only thing left to do is to find Black."
Alexia went to her room at the Leaky Cauldron (as she was no longer living with her father) and grabbed a piece of parchment and a pen and wrote.
Sirius,
The Ministry thinks that you had a hand in the tragic deaths of Lily and James. I know in my heart that their claims are preposterous! Dad is in charge of the investigation and he is hell bent on bringing you in! Please go into hiding, I fear it is your only hope for now. Owl me if you need to and STAY SAFE!!!!!
Alexia
She looked at Smoky "Find Sirius quickly, there isn't much time!" she said.
Smoky left and Alexia grew more and more worried as the hours passed. Finally she returned with not just Sirius's response but a letter from Dory as well. She opened Sirius's note first
Alexia,
It means the world that you believe in me. No matter what happens to me I know you will stand behind me. Thank you for your warning! I will go into hiding after I take care of something. You stay safe as well and DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TRY TO CONTACT ME!!!!! If you do the ministry could possibly track me down. If I need you I will send an owl.
Sirius
Dory's note was a bit longer
Alexia,
Remus and I just found out about Lily and James. I cannot believe that this has happened. Remus and I are beside ourselves in grief. Have you heard that they think Sirius betrayed them? I highly doubt that, but those gits at the ministry don't know what they are doing half the time. Remus and I have tried to become little Harry's guardians but, the ministry thought it would be best if he were to stay with family. Hense he is about to live with muggles. Remus and I do not agree with the decision, but we must accept it. God I hate it how they always seem to cause us grief. Sometimes I feel that it must make them happy to make Remus and I miserable. First they try to stop our marriage then they try to kill our hopes of having a family. I wish someone would stop them from ruining others lives. Anyway, Lily and James' funeral will be in 2 days tie, both Remus and I hope we will see you there. This is a sad day for us all. I just pray that you are okay as I know your feelings for Sirius are more than friendship. I have a feeling he will need all of us more than ever. Please stay in touch.
Love and Friendship,
Dory
The next day Alexia found out that Sirius was captured and now was accused of killing 13 people with one curse along with being a follower of Voldemort's. Because of this he was placed in Azkaban. Alexia knew these claims were untrue, but try telling the ministry that.
The funeral for Lily and James was quite simple, but sad. Alexia stood close to her two remaining friends and shared in their sorrow. If only she had kept in contact. Her guilt was consuming her. After the service was over Alexia, Remus and Dory went off together.
"We saw Sirius today." Remus said dejectedly, "It does not look good."
"Is he okay?" Alexia asked
"As well as can be expected, this whole tragedy has taken its toll on him." Remus replied, "He doesn't want anyone to see him in Azkaban. He pretty much told Dory and I to go home as soon as we came in."
"Why?" Alexia asked
"He gave us some lame excuse about not wanted Caesar and Anastasia to know that we were friends with a criminal. God he is so stubborn. I wish I could kick him or something." Dory said, "We're supposed to stick together. That's what we did in Hogwarts, and he won't let us!"
"Isn't there anything we can do?" Alexia said
"He won't let us do a damn thing." Remus said, "Doesn't he know that we just want to help him get the hell out of that blasted place?"
Remus was looking quite angry and Alexia watched as Dory tried to calm him down. "I still say that Harry would have a better life with us." He continued, "Not with those God awful muggles that are his family, no offense to you Alexia of course."
"None taken Remus." Alexia replied, "It's a tragic day, we've lost a lot in just 48 hours. First Lily and James, and now Sirius."
"Remus, will you excuse us for just one moment." Dory asked.
"Of course." He replied kissing her on the cheek, "Don't take too long."
They went behind some bushes and Dory cast a spell so that no one would be able to hear the conversation.
"Rumor has it your father headed the investigation." Dory said
"I know, believe me I found out the hard way." Alexia groaned
"Did you do anything to stop him from taking Sirius?" Dory asked almost accusingly
"Of course I did. Once he told me that he suspected Sirius I swore that there had to be a mistake. I even wrote to Sirius, I told him to go into hiding, he said he would after he took care of something. I should have tried to find him myself. I…I…" Alexia could barely see Dory due to her eyes filling with tears.
"Stop it." Dory said grabbing Alexia by the shoulders, "This won't help him, I'm sorry I went off on you before, but it's just…they're gone. One of my best friends is gone it's such a shock right now. I can't believe this has happened."
"None of us can." Alexia said, "It's like when my mother died."
"Does the pain ever go away?" Dory asked
"Not really, it might dull over time but then something happens to rip open the scar." Alexia said sadly.
"How are you holding up?" Dory asked
"I need to see Sirius." Alexia said firmly
"He won't see you."
"I don't care, I have to try to get through to him."
"Alexia listen to me, this can't be about that school-girl crush that you had on him when we were in school. You have to help him because you really want to. You have to be able to accept that he might not thank you the way you'd want to be thanked."
"Dory, I know that. He promised me when my mother died that he'd make sure that You-Know-Who would get his. He wouldn't break that promise. He's innocent and we all know it. I don't care what happens if I help, I just want him to know I believe in him. Do you understand why I must see him?"
"Yes, but he'll be livid when he does." Dory replied
Shortly after that they parted ways and Alexia made her way to Azkaban. The atmosphere was quite depressing and the presence of the dementors made it worse. She made her way towards the cells and she asked softly "Sirius Black, please." The dementor pointed to a cell and another let her in. She saw Sirius lying on his back staring at the ceiling.
"You shouldn't have come Alexia." He said glumly, "I told Dory and Remus to go home and now I'm telling you."
"You want me to leave?"
"Yes, I do."
"Why?" Alexia asked, "Don't give me some cock and bull story about kids and being here, cause you know as well as I do that I don't have any kids."
"Alexia you really want to associate with a convicted criminal. God they're not even going to give me a trial! You're dad looked like he ate a canary when he brought me in and gave me that news."
"Sirius, you are my friend, and you're not a criminal. I know you better than that." Alexia said softly, "Are you bleeding?"
She had noticed a cut on his hand that had blood trickling out of it. "It's not that bad." He mumbled
She took his hand and placed it in between hers. Moments later the cut was gone.
"Thank you." He whispered.
"Who did it Sirius, who helped kill Lily and James?" Alexia asked firmly
"Peter." Sirius sighed, "I tried to tell your father but he just ignored me."
"Pettigrew? Are you sure?" Alexia asked
"Yes damn it! I wouldn't lie to you."
"I know you wouldn't. It's just it's so strange, why would he do such a thing?"
"I don't know." Sirius replied, "You should go…and don't come back. I don't want you to see me this way."
"I can't do that Sirius. You were there for me when I needed you. Now it's my turn to return the favor."
"You can't be serious?"
"I am serious. Don't think you can push me away just because you're embarrassed to have your friends, the people that really care about you see you in jail." Alexia said holding her ground.
He smiled briefly as he watched her leave, a small sense of hope ignited in his soul, perhaps maybe Alexia could find a way to get him out of this jam.
The years passed by slowly. Whenever Alexia could spare a moment she was either at Azkaban visiting Sirius or trying to dig up information that could get Sirius a case. One day in 1991 she had just received the new list of students from muggle households who would be accepted to Hogwarts. She briefly looked it over and as she skimmed the names she saw his name, Harry Potter.
She went straight Azkaban to see Sirius to tell him the news. "Harry's been accepted at Hogwarts!" she said excitedly
"He's 11 already?" Sirius said, "My God."
"What?"
"The years have flown by and you don't look a day over 21. You've been coming here for 10 years. Alexia do you know what else you could have been doing? You could be married and have 10 kids by now! Why did you choose to try to save me?"
"Because, Sirius, you made a promise to me when my mom died." She replied softly
"Damn the promise. I tried to stop him and I couldn't okay? You can forget about it now…I failed, and you have too! So go, go and don't look back at me, I am a waste of your time and life!"
"You are not!"
"You spent the last 10 years of your life seeing me and for what?"
"I wanted to see you, you forget that!"
"Alexia, I can't do this to you anymore. Stop putting you're life on hold for me. You still have time. Give up this crusade!"
"Why so you can rot here? I don't think so!"
"There is nothing you can do, you've tried everything."
"Maybe I haven't tried hard enough."
"Stop it, it kills me to know that Lily and James's son will be attending Hogwarts soon, I'll also assume that Remus and Dory's twins are too. Damn it if you were smart you would have gotten yourself a husband and made a family a long time ago. I thought you were smart, I guess I was wrong."
"How dare you Sirius Black! How dare you say that about me! Just because I don't want to do what you say does not make me stupid."
"You just look it. There are about 50 wizards who would be willing to give anything to become your husband. Why don't you just take one of them up on their offer."
"Damn it Sirius Black you listen to me. I don't want any of those damn 50 wizards you're talking about. It's you I want! You and only you. I love you damn it and I would rather die if I had to spend my life with anyone else." She said
He stared at her stunned, "You…love me?"
"Yes." She said as tears filled her eyes, "That's why I can't give up on you."
"My god, all these years, even in Hogwarts?" he asked
"Yes, okay, since I met you. Are you happy now?"
"I had no idea." He replied floored by her admission
"So now that I have made a complete ass out of myself are you going to kick me out of your cell?"
"No, Can you say that again?"
"What? Are you going to kick me out of your cell?"
"No…what you said before, when you were yelling."
"You mean I love you?"
"Yeah that! Do you mean it?"
"Of course I mean it! You think I would just say something as powerful as that to you?"
"No it's just, I never thought I'd hear you say that. Not to me anyway."
"Ever since I first laid eyes on you Sirius, you're the only one I knew I'd feel this way about." She whispered, "You were my knight in shining armor."
"You were always the damsel in distress. You needed me."
"I can't live without you Sirius, and I don't want to try either. I'll get you out of here. I'll find someway, or I'll die trying."
She leaned in close and their lips touch. Sirius wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. "Don't make me give up on you." She mumbled.
"I won't." he replied
She kept in constant contact with her friends. Dory was now teaching at Hogwarts, Remus was working in the ministry. They had married shortly after school and now had twins, Caesar and Anastasia Lupin. She wasn't quite sure about what James and Lily were doing, but she did know that they had also married and that they had a little baby boy named Harry. Sirius was the most mysterious one of all. Every letter she got from him said that he was on some grand adventure.
The day of October 31, 1981 however she knew what everyone was doing. Or at least the ones she had questions about. It was that day when she read in the Daily Prophet that Lily and James were killed. She was in Brussels at the time and she quickly apparated to the ministry.
"My God I can't believe he is really gone." An official was saying almost happy like
"James Potter is dead and you're celebrating?" Alexia asked
The man turned around and there was her father staring at her. "Perhaps you should read up on current events Miss Cambridge. Apparently Lily and James stopped You-Know-Who. He's gone!" he said, "However maybe you should be worried about your friend Sirius Black. Apparently he was the one who betrayed the Potters."
"He wouldn't." Alexia said, "there has to be a mistake."
"Alexia don't be a fool. The man is dangerous. He was their secret keeper and they were betrayed, it's all very clear."
"Dad, I would trust my life with Sirius there is no way he did that!" Alexia protested
"Our evidence tells us otherwise. I am in charge of this investigation and if you think something is wrong with it then you are the one who must be mistaken. The only thing left to do is to find Black."
Alexia went to her room at the Leaky Cauldron (as she was no longer living with her father) and grabbed a piece of parchment and a pen and wrote.
Sirius,
The Ministry thinks that you had a hand in the tragic deaths of Lily and James. I know in my heart that their claims are preposterous! Dad is in charge of the investigation and he is hell bent on bringing you in! Please go into hiding, I fear it is your only hope for now. Owl me if you need to and STAY SAFE!!!!!
Alexia
She looked at Smoky "Find Sirius quickly, there isn't much time!" she said.
Smoky left and Alexia grew more and more worried as the hours passed. Finally she returned with not just Sirius's response but a letter from Dory as well. She opened Sirius's note first
Alexia,
It means the world that you believe in me. No matter what happens to me I know you will stand behind me. Thank you for your warning! I will go into hiding after I take care of something. You stay safe as well and DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TRY TO CONTACT ME!!!!! If you do the ministry could possibly track me down. If I need you I will send an owl.
Sirius
Dory's note was a bit longer
Alexia,
Remus and I just found out about Lily and James. I cannot believe that this has happened. Remus and I are beside ourselves in grief. Have you heard that they think Sirius betrayed them? I highly doubt that, but those gits at the ministry don't know what they are doing half the time. Remus and I have tried to become little Harry's guardians but, the ministry thought it would be best if he were to stay with family. Hense he is about to live with muggles. Remus and I do not agree with the decision, but we must accept it. God I hate it how they always seem to cause us grief. Sometimes I feel that it must make them happy to make Remus and I miserable. First they try to stop our marriage then they try to kill our hopes of having a family. I wish someone would stop them from ruining others lives. Anyway, Lily and James' funeral will be in 2 days tie, both Remus and I hope we will see you there. This is a sad day for us all. I just pray that you are okay as I know your feelings for Sirius are more than friendship. I have a feeling he will need all of us more than ever. Please stay in touch.
Love and Friendship,
Dory
The next day Alexia found out that Sirius was captured and now was accused of killing 13 people with one curse along with being a follower of Voldemort's. Because of this he was placed in Azkaban. Alexia knew these claims were untrue, but try telling the ministry that.
The funeral for Lily and James was quite simple, but sad. Alexia stood close to her two remaining friends and shared in their sorrow. If only she had kept in contact. Her guilt was consuming her. After the service was over Alexia, Remus and Dory went off together.
"We saw Sirius today." Remus said dejectedly, "It does not look good."
"Is he okay?" Alexia asked
"As well as can be expected, this whole tragedy has taken its toll on him." Remus replied, "He doesn't want anyone to see him in Azkaban. He pretty much told Dory and I to go home as soon as we came in."
"Why?" Alexia asked
"He gave us some lame excuse about not wanted Caesar and Anastasia to know that we were friends with a criminal. God he is so stubborn. I wish I could kick him or something." Dory said, "We're supposed to stick together. That's what we did in Hogwarts, and he won't let us!"
"Isn't there anything we can do?" Alexia said
"He won't let us do a damn thing." Remus said, "Doesn't he know that we just want to help him get the hell out of that blasted place?"
Remus was looking quite angry and Alexia watched as Dory tried to calm him down. "I still say that Harry would have a better life with us." He continued, "Not with those God awful muggles that are his family, no offense to you Alexia of course."
"None taken Remus." Alexia replied, "It's a tragic day, we've lost a lot in just 48 hours. First Lily and James, and now Sirius."
"Remus, will you excuse us for just one moment." Dory asked.
"Of course." He replied kissing her on the cheek, "Don't take too long."
They went behind some bushes and Dory cast a spell so that no one would be able to hear the conversation.
"Rumor has it your father headed the investigation." Dory said
"I know, believe me I found out the hard way." Alexia groaned
"Did you do anything to stop him from taking Sirius?" Dory asked almost accusingly
"Of course I did. Once he told me that he suspected Sirius I swore that there had to be a mistake. I even wrote to Sirius, I told him to go into hiding, he said he would after he took care of something. I should have tried to find him myself. I…I…" Alexia could barely see Dory due to her eyes filling with tears.
"Stop it." Dory said grabbing Alexia by the shoulders, "This won't help him, I'm sorry I went off on you before, but it's just…they're gone. One of my best friends is gone it's such a shock right now. I can't believe this has happened."
"None of us can." Alexia said, "It's like when my mother died."
"Does the pain ever go away?" Dory asked
"Not really, it might dull over time but then something happens to rip open the scar." Alexia said sadly.
"How are you holding up?" Dory asked
"I need to see Sirius." Alexia said firmly
"He won't see you."
"I don't care, I have to try to get through to him."
"Alexia listen to me, this can't be about that school-girl crush that you had on him when we were in school. You have to help him because you really want to. You have to be able to accept that he might not thank you the way you'd want to be thanked."
"Dory, I know that. He promised me when my mother died that he'd make sure that You-Know-Who would get his. He wouldn't break that promise. He's innocent and we all know it. I don't care what happens if I help, I just want him to know I believe in him. Do you understand why I must see him?"
"Yes, but he'll be livid when he does." Dory replied
Shortly after that they parted ways and Alexia made her way to Azkaban. The atmosphere was quite depressing and the presence of the dementors made it worse. She made her way towards the cells and she asked softly "Sirius Black, please." The dementor pointed to a cell and another let her in. She saw Sirius lying on his back staring at the ceiling.
"You shouldn't have come Alexia." He said glumly, "I told Dory and Remus to go home and now I'm telling you."
"You want me to leave?"
"Yes, I do."
"Why?" Alexia asked, "Don't give me some cock and bull story about kids and being here, cause you know as well as I do that I don't have any kids."
"Alexia you really want to associate with a convicted criminal. God they're not even going to give me a trial! You're dad looked like he ate a canary when he brought me in and gave me that news."
"Sirius, you are my friend, and you're not a criminal. I know you better than that." Alexia said softly, "Are you bleeding?"
She had noticed a cut on his hand that had blood trickling out of it. "It's not that bad." He mumbled
She took his hand and placed it in between hers. Moments later the cut was gone.
"Thank you." He whispered.
"Who did it Sirius, who helped kill Lily and James?" Alexia asked firmly
"Peter." Sirius sighed, "I tried to tell your father but he just ignored me."
"Pettigrew? Are you sure?" Alexia asked
"Yes damn it! I wouldn't lie to you."
"I know you wouldn't. It's just it's so strange, why would he do such a thing?"
"I don't know." Sirius replied, "You should go…and don't come back. I don't want you to see me this way."
"I can't do that Sirius. You were there for me when I needed you. Now it's my turn to return the favor."
"You can't be serious?"
"I am serious. Don't think you can push me away just because you're embarrassed to have your friends, the people that really care about you see you in jail." Alexia said holding her ground.
He smiled briefly as he watched her leave, a small sense of hope ignited in his soul, perhaps maybe Alexia could find a way to get him out of this jam.
The years passed by slowly. Whenever Alexia could spare a moment she was either at Azkaban visiting Sirius or trying to dig up information that could get Sirius a case. One day in 1991 she had just received the new list of students from muggle households who would be accepted to Hogwarts. She briefly looked it over and as she skimmed the names she saw his name, Harry Potter.
She went straight Azkaban to see Sirius to tell him the news. "Harry's been accepted at Hogwarts!" she said excitedly
"He's 11 already?" Sirius said, "My God."
"What?"
"The years have flown by and you don't look a day over 21. You've been coming here for 10 years. Alexia do you know what else you could have been doing? You could be married and have 10 kids by now! Why did you choose to try to save me?"
"Because, Sirius, you made a promise to me when my mom died." She replied softly
"Damn the promise. I tried to stop him and I couldn't okay? You can forget about it now…I failed, and you have too! So go, go and don't look back at me, I am a waste of your time and life!"
"You are not!"
"You spent the last 10 years of your life seeing me and for what?"
"I wanted to see you, you forget that!"
"Alexia, I can't do this to you anymore. Stop putting you're life on hold for me. You still have time. Give up this crusade!"
"Why so you can rot here? I don't think so!"
"There is nothing you can do, you've tried everything."
"Maybe I haven't tried hard enough."
"Stop it, it kills me to know that Lily and James's son will be attending Hogwarts soon, I'll also assume that Remus and Dory's twins are too. Damn it if you were smart you would have gotten yourself a husband and made a family a long time ago. I thought you were smart, I guess I was wrong."
"How dare you Sirius Black! How dare you say that about me! Just because I don't want to do what you say does not make me stupid."
"You just look it. There are about 50 wizards who would be willing to give anything to become your husband. Why don't you just take one of them up on their offer."
"Damn it Sirius Black you listen to me. I don't want any of those damn 50 wizards you're talking about. It's you I want! You and only you. I love you damn it and I would rather die if I had to spend my life with anyone else." She said
He stared at her stunned, "You…love me?"
"Yes." She said as tears filled her eyes, "That's why I can't give up on you."
"My god, all these years, even in Hogwarts?" he asked
"Yes, okay, since I met you. Are you happy now?"
"I had no idea." He replied floored by her admission
"So now that I have made a complete ass out of myself are you going to kick me out of your cell?"
"No, Can you say that again?"
"What? Are you going to kick me out of your cell?"
"No…what you said before, when you were yelling."
"You mean I love you?"
"Yeah that! Do you mean it?"
"Of course I mean it! You think I would just say something as powerful as that to you?"
"No it's just, I never thought I'd hear you say that. Not to me anyway."
"Ever since I first laid eyes on you Sirius, you're the only one I knew I'd feel this way about." She whispered, "You were my knight in shining armor."
"You were always the damsel in distress. You needed me."
"I can't live without you Sirius, and I don't want to try either. I'll get you out of here. I'll find someway, or I'll die trying."
She leaned in close and their lips touch. Sirius wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. "Don't make me give up on you." She mumbled.
"I won't." he replied