Disclaimer: All characters accept Kate, Abby, and Riana are the property of J.K. Rowling. She created this wonderful tale in which I only get to play; I take no credit for her work.

Warning: This chapter contains implied sex.

Chapter 3: Of Death, Beginning, and Reunion

For nearly two years, Riana Black had attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She had made good friends and had learned much, both academically and about herself. Whenever she went home to the United States, she tried to get her mother to tell her anything about her father. It was a subject that Katherine Black tried her hardest to avoid. So far, all Riana had gotten out of her mother was that she 'never really got to know the true him' and that he was from England.

Riana was sitting in a corner the Gryffindor common room studying for her Potions final when Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger entered. Not knowing anyone was there, Ron and Hermione continued talking about what was on their minds: the death of Harry's godfather, Sirius Black. She had no idea this had occurred. That explains why Harry has been so distant lately, she thought. Ron and Hermione comforted Harry, who was visibly shaken by the loss of his godfather, as they continued upstairs to bed. When they were gone, Riana's mind began reeling.

Why does learning of Sirius' death upset me so much? Riana thought, already knowing the answer. It's because I might be his daughter. Ever since she had seen his picture on the Azkaban posters, she had wondered if he could be her father. That night, she decided that the next time she saw her mother she would ask point-blank if Sirius Black was indeed her father.

Just then, someone else entered the common room. Riana was shocked to see her old DADA professor, Remus Lupin. He made his way through the room and was just starting up the stairs when Riana stood up.

"Um, Professor?"

"Oh, Riana, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there," Remus said, turning to face her. "What can I do for you?"

"First off, you can tell me what you're doing back at Hogwarts? Please tell me that you're going to teach DADA again," she said, raising her eyebrows and smiling coyly. "Our new professors have been rather boring..."

Remus smiled at her but shook his head. "Nope, sorry. My resignation still stands. I'm actually here to see Harry." He turned back to the stairs and added over his shoulder, "And you should be in bed this late at night."

"Where's the fun in that," she began playfully but then she turned serious. "Besides, I can't sleep. Haven't been able to for a few weeks, in fact. I feel like some part of me that I didn't even know existed was ripped away."

At this Remus paused but didn't turn toward her or say anything.

Riana continued, "I heard Harry, Hermione, and Ron talking last year about someone called Peter, how he was the one who betrayed Harry's parents and how he framed Harry's godfather, Sirius... I also just overheard them talking tonight; they said that Sirius was dead. Is that true?"

Finally turning around to face her, Remus saw the pain on Riana's face. It must be hard for her. He thought, for all she knows, Sirius could have been her father. The sadness in his eyes confirmed what she had heard. Not wanting to cry in front of her former teacher, Riana turned around. In a few steps, Remus was next to her. He put his arm around her shoulder, comforting her.

Looking up at him, Riana sniffed and asked, "You were friends with Harry's Dad and Sirius at school, right?"

Remus nodded. Sensing she needed to know the truth, the whole truth, he led her over to a couch. Then he began telling her what had transpired 16 years prior.

When Remus finished the story, Riana stood up. Wiping tears from her face, she said, "You should probably go visit Harry, like you planned when you came here. And," she added, trying to grin. "You were right; I should probably get to bed."

Remus looked her in the eyes once again, "Are you sure you'll be alright?"

"Yes, and thanks for telling me the truth. It answered many of the questions I've had."

"But not the question," he said as they walked toward the stairs together, "you still don't know if Sirius was your father..."

"Yeah, but I've made up my mind to finally ask my mom if he is."

"Good luck, Riana," he said as they reached the door to the 3rd year girls' room and she opened the door. "Sleep tight."

"Thanks. Good night."

After the initial shock of Sirius' death and making sure Harry and Riana were going to be alright, Remus decided to contact Kate. Even if Sirius wasn't Riana's father, Kate should know that her former lover was gone. He asked Albus Dumbledore about how to find Kate in the States.

Remus arrived at Abby and Kate's condo and knocked on the door. Abby answered, "Hello. What can I do for you?"

"Hi, is Kate here? You must be Abby, I'm Remus Lupin, a friend of Kate's from Hogwarts, and I need to speak with her."

"Sorry, she's at work for two more hours. But you can come in and wait for her here if you'd like."

"Thanks," Remus said, stepping into the condo.

"Make yourself comfortable. Do you want anything to eat?"

"No, thanks, I'm alright."

For the next hour they sat and talked. They chatted about Kate and Riana and then the conversation turned to themselves. Remus was intrigued by Abby, she was a level-headed woman. He missed being able to simply chat with a woman; it was something he didn't let himself do all that often after he left school. He was afraid that he'd fall in love and then have to break both of their hearts because he wasn't allowed to marry, being a werewolf it was against the law. If he got anyone pregnant, the child would most likely be a werewolf too. The Ministry didn't want more and more werewolves running around, so they banned them from marrying and having children.

He felt strangely at ease talking to Abby. She had told him some of her deepest, darkest secrets, some she hadn't even let Kate know. Then, before he knew it, he told her his secret.

"I'm a werewolf; I was bitten when I was 10 years old."

"Oh..." was all Abby could think to say.

"You probably don't want anything to do with me now that you know..."

"Why would you even think such a thing?" Abby interrupted. "Kate always talks about how great a guy you are, how you're smart and compassionate... She's right, you know."

It was his turn to be shocked. "Oh... so you don't hate me then?"

"Of course not! And I hope we can have more conversations some time..." As she trailed off, she acted on a whim, and leaned in and kissed him.

That first kiss led to other things. They lay there, spent in each other's arms for a while. When their breathing and heartbeats returned to normal, Abby stood up, grabbed her clothes, and said, "Kate should be home in a half an hour, I have to leave for work before then, and you'd best be cleaned up and clothed before she arrives."

With that she went to take a shower.

Abby left for work 20 minutes later, giving him a goodbye kiss, she said, "Don't worry, we don't need to tell Kate just yet." She winked at him and then kissed him again. "I'd love to see you again sometime."

"I'll see what I can do," he replied, not really wanting her to leave but knowing it was best. He waved at her as she walked down the path and out of sight. After all, he thought, I have to tell Kate about Sirius now. With that thought, he was snapped back to reality.

Ten minutes later, Kate opened the door to the condo. She had a grocery bag under her left arm but dropped it immediately as she saw the man sitting on the couch.

She ran toward him. "Remus! It's great to see you!"

"Hi, Kate," Remus said, standing and hugging her.

"When did you get here? How's Harry? Riana told me that you are still in touch with him. How's England for that matter?..." Then, she paused, catching both her breath and the look on his face, she added, "What's wrong?"

"Kate, I have some bad news and wanted to tell you in person."

Kate's heart sank. Please, let Riana be okay, she thought.

"Alright, go on."

"You may want to sit down for this." Kate sat down on the couch and he sat next to her. Kate nodded, indicating she was ready for him to continue. "Kate," Remus began. Taking a large breath, he continued, "Sirius was murdered."

Kate sat there, blinking back tears, unable to say anything for a while. When she finally regained her composure, she said, "Remus, why would I care if he died? I mean, he betrayed Lily and James!"

Remus shook his head, "Kate, I know you still care about him. Besides, Sirius was innocent! If you don't believe me, ask Dumbledore or Harry and his friends. We all learned the truth two years ago after Sirius broke out of Azkaban."

"Innocent..."

"Yes, innocent. Peter," he paused and muttered, "that stupid rat," then, taking a deep breath, he continued, "was the one who betrayed Lily and James and he framed Sirius."

"Are you sure?"

Remus then told her the whole story from how James, Sirius, and Peter had become Animagus because of him to the last battle in the Department of Mysteries.

When he finished, Kate was distraught. She held her head in her hands and whispered, "Oh Riana, I'm so sorry...." Thinking of her daughter and how she desperately wanted to know her father. If I wasn't so afraid of telling her the truth, she might have had the chance to get to know him.

"He was her father, wasn't he?" Remus asked, already knowing the answer.

Kate nodded, "Yes." Then, she began to cry openly and rested her head on Remus' shoulder. He gathered her in his arms and just held her for a while. "Oh, Remus, how am I going to tell her?"