Chapter 17: Secrets Revealed

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Adalia was jolted back to reality. She was sitting in the car with Remus who was looking at her with concern. Her dreams had been of past memories and she had woken up crying at just reliving them so vividly. They now sat outside the train station in the car Arthur Weasley had let them graciously borrow. He had gotten it that year after winning again a large pot of galleons at his office. Adalia glanced at Remus and sighed.

"I'm positive. He deserves to know. I just don't know what it will mean once I tell him." She got out of the car, her hands shaking slightly. She had seen pictures of Harry and was well aware of how much a striking resemblance he had to his father. She closed her eyes for a moment, putting a hand on the side of the car to steady herself as her knees became weak.

"You're hood." Remus reminded her. Adalia shot him a look and then flipped her hood to cover her face. She felt a hand grasp her wrist and looked up to see Remus looking down at her.

"Adalia...you know I didn't want you coming with me. I can't loose you. But because of your stubbornness I let you come only because I had hoped you would be extra cautious. Don't let my hopes be false ones."

Adalia knew he could not see her eyes nor her face, so she simply stared at him and then let out a long breath, her eyes never leaving his.

"I know. I won't Remus," she said sincerely. Remus raised her hand to his lips and gave it a soft kiss then let it fall back to her side.

"Good. Now let's go."

They walked to Platform 9 ¾ , easily slipping in unnoticed by surrounding muggles. The train had already come in it seemed, though the doors had not yet opened. There was a last sound of the train coming to a complete stop and then the doors burst open with bustling students. Remus and Adalia stood in the crowd of parents, Adalia searching for Harry. There, emerging from the door straight in front of them, James Potter, or James Potter as he looked after his 6th year, emerged from the train with who Adalia could only assume to be Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Dumbledore had informed her on them as she had been in hiding.

"Remus," Adalia gave Remus's hand a squeeze of nervousness before taking a deep breath. "I hope he likes me."

"He'll love you," Remus replied, giving Adalia a meaningful look she didn't quite catch. Adalia was too busy watching as Harry proceeded toward them.

"Welcome back Harry," Remus greeted him warmly. Harry smiled slightly.

"Thanks Lupin." He looked uncomfortable as he said goodbye to his friends and they went their separate ways.

"What happened to..." he trailed off.

"You wont be going back to live with the Dursley's this summer Harry." Remus said, his voice slightly sad though not for his words.

"I-I'm not?" Harry stuttered. He looked peculiarly at Adalia.

"Who are you?" he asked sharply catching Adalia off guard. She stayed silent causing

Harry's eyebrows to furrow and his gaze to shift back to Remus, expectantly.

"Well?"

"This...is Adalia." He said quietly then took some of Harry's luggage and began to lead him away from the platform and back through the portal. Harry sighed.

"Look tell me the whole story for once."

"I don't think I'm the one to tell you that. But if she's going to tell you anything, let's wait until we get back to the house."

They were quiet the entire way back. Adalia was trying to figure out how to word her conversation with Harry, Remus still trying to figure out just what they were going to do now, and Harry thinking about his past year at Hogwarts and how he was still treated so unfairly. Their thoughts came to a hault as they stepped inside the house. Remus took Harry's bags and went up the stairs, passing a glance at Adalia.

"I wasn't joking. Someone tell me why I'm here and what's going on," Harry demanded. Adalia slowly pulled down her hood and looked at Harry. He was staring at her in awe.

"My name is Adalia, and I was your mother's best friend." Harry raised an eyebrow at this and Adalia led him into the kitchen.

"I suppose I should start from the beginning..." she proceeded to tell him everything about her friendship with Lily, even most of her past with Sirius, and lastly about Tom. She saw his shock at her friendship, his disbelief about her and Sirius, and his horrified look about Tom. When she had finished, they sat quietly for some time. She knew there was one more thing she had to tell him.

"Harry...do you have any pictures of your parent's wedding?"

Harry nodded slightly and something seemed to dawn in his eyes though he did not speak that he knew anything new besides what she had told him.

"Well..." she paused, hesitant, "I was your mother's maid of honor. Just as Sirius was best man. And...I'm your Godmother, just as he was your Godfather."

There was a long stretch of silence as they looked at one another. Harry subconsciously took a sip of his tea, eyes seeming glazed over in thought.

"So then...you're my Godmother...so that means..."

"I'm not sure what it means. But I can tell you that it might mean at least some good news. I know what it feels like to sort of be...alone in the world. After all...I've lost the same people you've lost only I suppose in different ways. I think at the least, we might be able to become friends. I-"she stopped short as Remus walked into the kitchen. He leaned in the doorway uncharacteristically. Adalia was oddly aware that his eyes were beautiful, sparkling in the dim light of the room. She shook her head. Where did that stray thought come from?

"I have to check in with Dumbledore. I'll be back very soon. Don't leave here." He hesitated then met Adalia's eyes steadily. The look he gave seemed to say Do you need me? She shook her head very minutely and within the next minute he was gone.

"Harry, I-"Adalia was cut off again once more by the sound of someone coming down the stairs. Her entire body stiffened.

"Stay absolutely quiet." She whispered to Harry. He nodded slightly and Adalia stood, walking slowly to the entrance of the kitchen. She felt Harry come up behind her and didn't bother telling him to stay put. If he was anything like James, which of course he was, then he would never do as he was told. The door to the kitchen was already ajar. She slipped out and walked to the stairs. No one stood on its steps so she continued around the house. Harry stayed close behind her the entire way. When she rounded back to the kitchen she was thoroughly frustrated. Opening the door her feet froze in their spots. It was as if she had walked into a dream. She wished with all her heart she was seeing the truth. Every feeling melted away and she saw only what stood before her...

(A/N: Whew has it been a long time since I've updated! Let me tell you I must have written and rewritten this chapter a thousand times. Glad it is finally out! Good grief. I had a writer's block on this story for so long but now I think I know where I want to go. Anyway tell me what you think. Maybe not as good as my last chapters but eh, I tried my best. And thank you again to all my loyal reviewers. Man next chapter i will give you each personal letters but for now its 1 am and i am tired so love you all and I hope you enjoyed this.)