A/N: Wow…this is probably the story of mine that has gone through the most changes. This one was very unexpected…I had a character idea, I started writing, and suddenly I had an entire plotline at my fingertips. I hope you all enjoy reading this fic as much as I enjoyed writing it. Well…on with the show!
My name is Arianna Black. Or, it was, anyway. I don't use that name anymore. I go by Newmoon, now. Don't get me wrong, I like my last name, but if I kept it, it would mean revealing to everyone who I am. I'd have to face my past. And I don't want that. It's bad enough, having to live with myself, wondering.
I am a half-blood witch, if anyone out there cares. My father was a Muggle, but I never really knew him, because he died was I was young. My mother was a pureblood witch. I have…had… two older sisters, Aileen and Melaina, twins. They're both dead now, along with my mother. I also have an older brother, the infamous Sirius Black.
He was my older brother by four years, and I adored him. He was my idol. Him, and his best friend, James Potter.
They were friends for as long as I can remember. It seemed right, for our mothers had been friends, and they went to school together. His mother was a really nice woman, and his father became like a second one to Sirius, the twins (that's what we always used to call Melaina and Aileen) and I after our own dad left. James was like another big brother.
Sirius and James were the biggest troublemakers ever. They caused mayhem everywhere, yet people loved them for their charming attitudes. I wished so much that I could be like my brother, and always hung around him. My sisters had had each other, and so they always left me out. For this reason, I liked Sirius better than them both. Shows how much of a fool I was.
When Sirius first went to Hogwarts, I was lonely. Melaina and Aileen rarely played with me, not like Sirius had, anyway. He wrote back all the time, telling the twins and me all about Hogwarts, and his new friends. I couldn't wait to go myself.
I met Sirius' other friends when I started at Hogwarts. (I was a Gryffindor with Sirius, although my two sisters were Hufflepufffs) Remus Lupin was a studious boy who seemed to keep to himself all the time. Peter Pettigrew was, I suppose, a nice guy. I never really liked him much, to tell you the truth, I don't think Sirius ever really liked him either. He wasn't very smart, and only seemed to be a "tagalong".
I also met Lily Evans. She was a beautiful girl, with long red hair and green eyes. She was also one of the nicest people I'd ever met. She was Muggle-born, but still very popular, and friendly. Lily was also very bright; her intelligence sometimes even bested my own brother's. She did have a horrible temper, thought, and woe to whoever made it flare up. It was okay though, for she also had this way of making everyone feel merry, with the exception of James.
They fought all throughout my time at school, and from the way Sirius talked, all his, as well. I never knew how they got started hating each other, but it was obvious that something had gone wrong. I thought it was kind of weird, since Sirius and I both had a good opinion of both James and Lily. They seemed so alike, but had been brought up differently…maybe that's why they fought so much.
Sirius and James were on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Beater and Chaser respectively. They were all quite good, and won several Quidditch cups together. Things were, for the most part, wonderful while we were at Hogwarts. It was afterwards, when everything was to change.
Not long after they graduated, Lily and James got married. Yes, you read right. Married. Don't worry, I was shocked, too. Apparently, they had gotten on better terms during their seventh year. Either that or nature decided to surprise us. I didn't see a difference, to be honest, but Sirius said I was too young then to understand James and Lily's relationship. To be honest, I still don't think I get it.
Anyway, Sirius was their best man, and almost everyone from their year attended the wedding. It was one of the happiest events I had ever been to. And then, a few years after the wedding, they had Harry.
I've only seen Harry once before, when he was a baby. He looked just like his father, messy jet-black hair and everything. But he had Lily's eyes. I saw him when I begged Sirius to bring me along on one of his visits. He was a happy baby, from what I could see. I wish I could see him again.
I knew that Voldemort (yes, I'm not afraid to write his name) was after the Potters, but I didn't know that it was serious. Sirius didn't tell me much about anything. He never really was around then, I realize now. I thought that he was busy, not…
Never mind that, I'm jumping ahead a bit there. Well, anyway, right before her 7th year at Hogwarts, Aileen died during one of the Muggle massacres. She had only been trying to help out…Aileen was always like that, the "light" of our family. She hated seeing others suffer. That was an especially sad time for us all, especially Melaina. My twin sisters were each others' best friends; I never realized how much Melaina loved Aileen until she died.
Mum and I received word that Voldemort knew where the Potters were, that there was a traitor amongst us. We were terrified, but were assured by Sirius that everything was going to be okay, since they were going to use the Fidelius Charm to protect themselves. Sirius was their Secret Keeper.
How could you, Sirius? How could you ever…Sorry, there I go, jumping ahead again. I'm just so angry, and confused…
Anyway, so Sirius was their Secret Keeper. Everything seemed okay, and activities died down for a little while. Then something happened that changed mine and many others' lives forever. Voldemort found Lily and James, and killed them.
Mum and I were devastated. But I was also amazed; amazed that Harry had somehow survived. He had been sent to live with the Dursleys, Lily's sister's family. I had wondered why he hadn't been given to Sirius, as Harry was his godson, but never thought too much of it.
Sirius didn't come home that night, or the night afterwards. Mum and I didn't think much of it at first; like I mentioned before, he had never been around much. Then, two days after Lily and James' deaths, we were told Sirius was being sent to Azkaban.
Just sent. No court, no trial, no nothing. I remember being enraged. How could the Ministry send my brother to Azkaban without even a trial? Dumbledore told us later it was old Barty Crouch that sent the order. Evil power-hungry bastard, he was. But, I guess he was right that one time.
The Ministry was too busy straightening the world out to tell us anything about Sirius, especially since Voldemort had mysteriously disappeared the night of Lily and James' deaths. Dumbledore told us the story later. I had always liked Dumbledore. He was a good headmaster. I wonder if he's still at Hogwarts…
He told us why Sirius was sent to Azkaban. The Ministry believed he had given Voldemort information on the Potters, and led them to their deaths.
The idea seemed preposterous to me at the time. James was, after all, Sirius' best friend, and my brother and Lily were still on very good terms, too. I couldn't believe that the Ministry believed such a story. I remember seeing the disbelief in Dumbedore's eyes. He didn't want to believe what he was saying, either.
Mum just sat silently, listening. Tears were rolling down her cheeks, but she wasn't saying anything. I always admired Mum because she never had the violent fits of temper I often did.
Also, Sirius had gone to a Muggle town earlier that day. Peter Pettigrew, that boy I mentioned earlier, had corned him there, knowing that he had been Lily and James' Secret Keeper. Peter yelled at Sirius, asking him how he could do such a thing. And…and…Sirius pulled out his wand, and sent out a deadly curse that killed Peter and 12 other Muggles.
What happened to you, Sirius? I don't understand! Why, why, why? Why did you betray Lily and James, why did you kill Pettigrew, why did you kill those Muggles? I will probably never know, but those questions haunt me, even now, fifteen years later. Why, why?
You probably know the rest of the story. Pettigrew received an Order of Merlin, First Class. I'm sorry I ever thought ill of him. He was older than me; I should have treated him with more respect. As for Mum and I, we were disgraced forever.
Everyone in our neighborhood knew Sirius was a member of our family, and they kicked us out, thinking that we were secretly helping Voldemort return or something. I had just recently graduated from Hogwarts, and I found it extremely hard to find a job, for no one trusted a Black.
Finally, we got sick of it. Mum and I moved to the Muggle world as Lyssa and Arianna Newmoon. The Muggles didn't see any relation between Sirius and us, since he looked more like my father, and we were welcomed into their community.
I miss being a witch, but this is really the only way I can be successful in life. Mum died two years ago of heartbreak, so now I live alone. I have no desire to see Sirius again, I'm just glad he got what he deserved. He didn't care about Mum, me, James, Lily, or anyone besides himself. We suffered a lot because of what he did.
You can only imagine how I felt when I found out that he escaped. Of course, if it were possible to escape from Azkaban, he would've found the way. My brother always has been brilliant, no matter how much I hate to admit it now. That's why I liked him. Even the Muggles around here are worried about him, and they don't even know half the story. I hope they catch him; and yet, I don't. I think that somewhere, beyond all my hate, there is still a part of me that believes he is innocent, no matter what anyone says. It always has been hard for me to say what I think, because my mind is all jumbled up. I may act like all of me hates Sirius' guts, but in truth, I think there is still some part in me that worships him, even while he's in Azkaban.
He escaped about a year or so from the date I pen this. I wonder how he's been keeping the Ministry at bay. Probably up to his old tricks as usual. If anyone could play keep away for a long time with the Ministry it would have to be Sirius.
I haven't seen or heard from Harry at all. He probably doesn't even know that I exist. I have thought about going back to the wizarding world, after all, no one has heard anything from us Blacks in years, they probably think we're all dead, so who will notice if an Arianna Newmoon shows up? Maybe I will go back, I don't know. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. The worst thing that could happen is that I could get kicked out again, and I'm used to it, so it doesn't matter. My whole life is based on a lie, so why stop know?
Oh, look, the newspaper's here. Maybe they finally caught Sirius. I doubt it, but I'll check anyways.
Arianna Black
Arianna finished her name in a flourish and went to get the newspaper the paperboy had so kindly thrown in her posies. She fished it out and opened it. Nothing important happening today. She didn't think so, for it was one of those lazy June days.
She stared at the paper she had written on. She didn't know why she had written all that, she had just felt like she needed to get everything out on paper. Arianna sighed and crumpled it up before tossing it into the recycling.
Writing had been useful for something. She convinced herself that she was going back to the wizarding world. They probably wouldn't even recognize her, and she looked nothing like Sirius anyway. She set off to find her wand in the attic.
Arianna's mother had locked up both their wands to prevent them from using them in front of Muggles. Arianna had never opened the trunk before, even though her mother had deliberately told her where the key was. She sighed and turned the key.
The box opened, and Arianna marveled at her wand's glory. It had been well preserved inside of the box. She remembered Mr. Ollivander's words, ten inches, ebony and dragon heartstring, quite whippy. She touched it slowly and couldn't help but let her fingers linger over the wand's smooth surface. Suddenly, she waved it around happily. It was like meeting a long-lost old friend again.
After looking longingly at her mother's old wand, Arianna sighed and closed the box. She used to magic to pack the house up, and Apparated to Diagon Alley.
It was great to see the old place again. Arianna remembered all those summers she had come here to buy new Hogwarts supplies…with Sirius. She cursed herself for thinking of him. She had to go on with her new life, without her lousy, double-crossing brother.
She decided to stay at the Leaky Cauldron for a few nights, getting used to being a witch again. It wasn't too hard, considering that it was a lot easier than living as a Muggle. No one seemed to consider it strange that she had just moved in.
Arianna looked up some old records one day, trying to figure out was going on lately in the magical community. Or at least, that's what she told herself she was doing. She knew, deep in her heart that she was really looking to see if there had been any more information and Sirius.
She did find a few interesting things. Apparently, about a year and a half ago, something had happened at Hogwarts with Sirius. Arianna read on greedily. It seemed that they had caught Sirius on the school grounds and held him, but he had mysteriously escaped…once again. The article Arianna found didn't have very much information on the subject. Arianna found herself enthralled by the mystery. She looked further, but didn't find anything more except that some teacher at the school Severus Snape had been involved. Severus Snape. Something about that name sounded familiar to Arianna, but she couldn't put her finger on it.
There were also a few strange stories written by some woman named Rita Skeeter about Harry and a few of his friends. They all sounded like loads of garbage. Arianna doubted there was any truth. She also read a few articles about a mysterious occurrence at the latest National Quidditch match, and a missing Ministry witch. A lot has been going on, Arianna thought to herself. I get the feeling that there's more to these events then the articles tell, though. I wonder why the Death Eaters are jumpy…
A month later, Arianna had found an apartment to live in. She worked at the Magical Menagerie, doing what she truly loved, caring for animals. She had taken a particular owl home to treat when she saw the Daily Prophet's headline: BLACK SHOT BY MUGGLE!
Sirius? Shot? By a Muggle? Arianna rushed through the article.
Today, Muggle Ralph Dion sighted the convicted murderer, Sirius Black near London. This Muggle had a gun, a machine used by Muggles to kill each other, and shot Black in the leg when he recognized him. Unfortunately, Black got away before the Ministry of Magic could get to him.
"It shouldn't be long before we catch him now," Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge declared. "He can't go too far with a busted leg."
It is said that Black will receive punishment of death by the Dementor's Kiss for his crime. The Ministry of Magic is conducting a search of that area.
Arianna buried her face in her hands. She didn't know whether to cry or cheer. You should be happy, she scolded herself. She fought with her emotions silently, but in the end, her sisterly side won. She didn't want her brother to die, and started crying quietly. The Dementor's Kiss was such a horrible way to be killed.
Later, she dried her tears and decided to take a walk, not knowing where she would go. She wandered into the Muggle town Dublin. A large ginger cat with a bottlebrush tail stared up at her with lazy eyes. Arianna patted the cat, and it purred happily.
"Crookshanks! Where are you?" A girl with bushy brown hair poked her head out one of the doors. The ginger cat yawned and stretched. It bounded into the house and the girl closed the door.
Arianna watched the house for a moment, and then decided to move on. She sighed to herself as she watched all the Muggles inside the houses, having fun. She would give anything to be like them, to have her family back. But, no, she was all alone.
The gray owl she had been treating flew ahead, leading the way. To where? Arianna didn't know. It suddenly swooped into a low alley.
"Artemis," Arianna called to the owl. "Where are you going?" She didn't answer. Arianna looked into the alley. It didn't seem too scary, so she stooped down and followed Artemis.
There was no sign of the owl anywhere. Arianna was beginning to get worried, if she lost that owl, she would be in it for sure. She could see the end of the alley, and hoped Artemis would be there. "Artemis," she called, again, hoping to hear the owl's long hoot. Again, there was no answer.
Quite suddenly, Arianna tripped over something soft and large. It yelped in pain. Arianna quickly apologized and turned to see what it was.
Big brown eyes stared back at her. In the shadowy light, Arianna could faintly see the outline of a large mammal, probably a dog. She wasn't scared, although she probably should have been.
Arianna stared at the outline for a moment, and then heard the flutter of wings. She looked up to see Artemis swoop overhead. Arianna held out her arm, and she landed on it, giving the dog a cold stare. The dog crouched nervously.
"Artemis, don't scare the dog," Arianna whispered to the owl. The dog cocked an ear at her voice. Artemis flew up as Arianna knelt down to feel for a collar. There was none. Feeling sorry for the stray dog, she got up and patted her knees, inviting the dog to follow her.
It got up slowly, and tried to walk. Arianna quickly noticed that its back left leg was bleeding. It limped along, until Arianna felt too sorry for it, and carried it back to her apartment while Artemis led the way.
They walked out of the alley, and Arianna was finally able to get a good look at the dog. It was black, which probably explained why she hadn't seen it before. The dog stared at her, and for a moment, Arianna thought she saw something flash in its eyes, as if it was surprised. She shrugged and carried the dog on through the night.
A/N: Please tell me you know who the dog is. It's a tad obvious. If you have no clue what I'm talking about, I suggest you stop reading this and visit your local shrink.
So what'd you think? Please review. I'd love to hear from you. Oh, and to flamers: all flames help cook my dragon's dinner. So, go ahead, send them if you like, though he (my dragon) prefers raw meat above anything else.
Disclaimer: Does anyone ever read these? I usually do, for fun. But they have to be here…so here we go…*takes breath* Sirius, Quidditch, Hogwarts, the concept of Sirius having a mother (but not sister{s}…not yet, anyway), James, Lily, Remus, Peter, Fudge, Crouch, the Leaky Cauldron, the dog, the MoM and whatever else I used from the books are all J.K. Rowling's. Not mine, and never will be. Arianna's mine…Sirius' mum's name is mine…er…there's probably more, but whatever. I'll own more after the 2nd chapter.
Some name stuff:
Arianna- Greek, "holy" (Although I've also seen that its Scottish and Italian as well.)
Aileen- Irish form of Helen "light" (Could also be Scottish/English)Melaina- variant of Melanie (Greek), "dark"
Lyssa- old English, "honey", or alyssum flowerArtemis- The virgin Greek huntress goddess, also known as Diana…most of you probably already knew that, though…I hope.
