Author's Notes- It's HALLOWEEN! Not really, but it is in here. This chap
will be very important, so DON'T MISS IT! Well, Halloween happens, and some
things are explained to Erika and co., yada yada. I think I should let you
find out for yourselves. So, read on! Oh, yeah, the feast doesn't really
matter to the plot.
Disclaimer- I own nothing. It all belongs to the Great Harry Potter people. I am not getting paid. Y'all know the drill.
Erika
Chapter 6
"Oh, no," Megan whispered.
I was panicking. The teachers ran out.
"EVERYONE INTO THE GREAT HALL!" one of them yelled, and the teachers drew their wands.
I grabbed Meg's hand and started to push with the crowd of students all trying to get through the doors at the same time. People were dropping, I don't know if they were stunned or dead.
I couldn't see my brother or his friends.
I felt a tug on my arm and turned to see a spell send Meg flying back, hitting a statue and falling to the floor.
"MEG!" I screamed, and ran to her.
She was knocked out. I dragged her behind the statue, and slapped her to make her wake up.
"Erika, we have to get into the Great Hall," Meg whispered, her eyes not completely opened.
I shook my head, "We can't get through. They're too close. We're stuck here. We wouldn't make it."
Meg started whimpering, and whispering to herself, so quietly I couldn't even hear her.
"It's happening, they've come," was all I could make out from her whispers and whimpers.
I held her hand, and didn't look out, hoping it would end quickly.
Suddenly, the statue burst into pieces, sending us skidding backwards and hitting the stairs. Pain burned all over my body.
I opened my eyes, a bit blurry with tears, and saw a Death Eater in a cape and hood standing in front of us. Meg was crying something.
"Ruth, please no!" she cried.
She could see the Death Eater's face. And she knew who it was.
"ERIKA!" I heard Harry yell from somewhere.
"Stupefy!" I heard another voice shout.
The Death Eater fell to the ground. Professor Jones ran over to us.
"Quick, get into the Great Hall. They're starting to retreat!" she hissed to us, and helped us up.
I grabbed Meg's hand and we ran as we heard someone wake the Death Eater up. When we were in the Great Hall, Meg and I sank into a corner, and didn't move until Harry came to get us.
"They're gone," he told us.
I sighed in relief.
"Come on, get up, you two. Professor Dumbledore wants us to go to his office. He'll meet us there after he calms everyone else down," Harry said.
We went upstairs, and to a statue. Professor Jones was standing beside it.
She said something to the statue, which jumped aside to reveal a staircase.
We followed her upstairs, and through a door.
"Dumbledore should be here soon," she told us, but her voice wasn't straight.
Both Meg and Professor Jones looked incredibly pale. I imagined I must look so too. I was still shaking.
The door behind us opened, and Dumbledore walked in, looking incredibly troubled.
"Miss Potter, Mr. Potter, Miss Dere, I have some important matters to discuss with you," Dumbledore told us.
Meg interrupted him, "I didn't tell them."
Dumbledore gazed at her, then nodded, "Well, I think it is time they know, then, Miss Dere."
"Take a seat," Professor Jones said, pulling four chairs over.
We all sat down. Meg sighed, her head hanging.
"I haven't been completely truthful with you. Please don't hate me for what I'm about to tell you," Meg said.
I stared at her.
"I was born Megan Allhide (Allhide is pronounced Al-hide) Riddle, in a dark mansion. My birth was greatly anticipated. From day 1 I was taught the Dark Arts along with the others. But I was different.
"I had an older sister. She's about Harry's age, maybe a bit older. Her name was. is. Ruth. We weren't the only children. There were 21 of us, myself included. My grandfather wanted an heir. His son, my father, had 6 mistresses, and my mother, his wife. They are all valuable Death Eaters, and have sworn their lives to the cause, my grandfather's cause.
"But Ruth was the best among us, my grandfather's heir, higher than my father, second in command.
"Once, when I was younger, I found a rabbit on the grounds. It was my only friend. Ruth killed it. 'It's a worthless animal, just like Muggles and Mudbloods,' she said. I was old enough to understand that killing was final, there was no coming back once you were dead. I knew my rabbit did nothing. I started to see the killing I had been taught was right since I was born, was wrong. That's when I changed.
"From then on, I stopped going to classes, and spent time in my hide- out, playing chess. That's how I got so good. Sure, everyone hated it, I was punished so much. The Crucio curse was put on me countless times, and the Imperio curse. They would make me hurt myself, or hurt others because they knew I hated it. So, when I saw the chance, I escaped. I went to the Ministry, and asked for help.
"During the attack earlier, my sister was there. She found Erika and me. We were lucky. We escaped. But I felt so bad. I was so naïve, to think they wouldn't come after me. They want me dead, now! They want us all dead!
"Another confession must be made on my part. I scared you the other day, Erika, when I went weird in the common room. I never told anyone, I even denied it myself, until I got to the Ministry. I'm a Seer. Sometimes I go into trances, but mostly I See in my sleep. I never told anyone but Dumbledore, and the Ministry. I only told them because it was my key to get out. As long as they knew, I could help them, I could help stop my grandfather," Meg told us.
Once the speech was over, I stared at my best friend. Meg was the granddaughter of Voldemort, the same person who had killed my parents. At first I was so angry, I wanted to strangle her. Then I looked at her again. She was crying.
"It's. it's okay, Meg. It's not your fault that you have such an awful family," I whispered.
Meg only nodded, still crying.
"Now, Miss Jones, I belief it is time for your confession as well," Dumbledore said, turning to Professor Jones.
Another confession?
"I admit it," Professor Jones said, "I am here not only to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, but for you. Dumbledore thought of it. We know Voldemort is after you, and he's after me as well. So, I'm here.
"I am all that is left of four best friends. There was Andrea McKinnon, Netta Prewett, and Lily Evans, or, as she is better known Lily Potter. Voledmort killed each of them. I was one of the few who knew of Erika's birth. Lily begged me, that if anything happened to her, I'd look after you two. So, I spent the last few years, just looking in on you. I felt obliged to. I'd promised my best friend, and I couldn't go back on it. But, I also had to because. well. Erika, I'm your godmother."
I gasped. Never, in my entire life, had I known I had a godmother. Ever.
"Well, I think that's quite enough for a day. Now, you'd best go straight to your rooms, and tell no one about what was said today. That is between us," Dumbledore said.
We nodded, and left. That night I heard Meg crying in her sleep, not that I was much better.
Everyone in the school had some opinion about the attack the next day. Everyone, that is, except Harry, Meg, and I. We kept our mouths shut, however.
Only two students were dead, a sixth year Ravenclaw and fifth year Hufflepuff. There was a memorial service, and everyone in the school attended, and some others.
But life went on. Classes continued. Rumors still flied when everyone thought the Professors weren't looking. The professors were also very careful, watching everyone, especially Harry, Meg, and I.
"I'll play you at chess," Meg said when we finished our homework a few nights later.
"I'm going to lose," I answered as we set up the chessboard.
Meg grinned, "Maybe I'll let you win."
"You never let me win," I countered, but grinned.
After I had lost a rather quick game of chess, Meg and I decided to go down to the Quidditch pitch, where Harry was having practice. Hermione and Ron were already down there. Hermione was doing her homework, while Ron was watching them.
"Hello," we said as we sat down.
"Erika, Megan, have you decided to try out or not?" Ron asked.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Try outs are next week, so they have time to start training. This year, the first game is Slytherin vs. Hufflepuff, and Harry wants the new recruits trained by then, so he knows just what he needs them to do," Ron said.
I shrugged. A shadow fell over us. Hermione looked up.
"Oh, hello, Hagrid," she said.
A giant man stood behind us.
"'Ello, Hermione, Ron. How's practice coming?" Hagrid asked.
"Fine. Hagrid, this is Erika Potter and Megan Dere. Erika's Harry's sister, and Megan's her friend," Ron said, introducing us.
"Ah, 'ello there, girls. You two must be the rumors of the school," Hagrid told us, smiling.
"Rumors?" Meg repeated.
Hagrid nodded, "Yep. They think we can't hear them, but I hear them well enough. They talk about you two. Harry's supposed to be an only child, but suddenly Erika shows up. I trust Dumbledore, however. If he believes, so do I."
"Not that again," I cried, "Will they ever listen to me? Probably will still be avoiding me when I graduate!"
"What do they say about Megan?" Hermione asked.
"Ah, about the. er. attack on Halloween. They say she was talkin' to one of those Death Eaters," Hagrid said, and shivered.
Meg rolled her eyes, "They make it sound like I was holding a pleasant chat when I was really begging for my life!"
"Rumors are rumors," Hermione said, "They can think what they like. I pity them, for thinking they know so much and really know so little. Erika, I researched that charm your parents used to get you in the future. It does exist, it's just really hard. I think Dumbledore must have done it, not them."
I shrugged.
* * * That night As told by Anya Jones
"Professor? You asked to see me?" I asked, walking into Dumbledore's office.
"Yes, Miss Jones. I have something I want to show you," Dumbledore told me, standing up.
I raised an eyebrow.
"What?" I asked.
Dumbledore answered, "Come over here."
He led me to a fireplace. A fire had been lit in it. He took out a pot of floo powder, and handed some to me.
"Go to the 'Transformation shack,'" Dumbledore instructed.
I was a bit quirked, but I did as told. I put the floo powder in the fire, and shouted the destination, before stepping in.
I fell of in a hearth, and pulled away from the fire. A second later, Dumbledore followed. He landed on his feet. I stood up, brushing the dirt, dust, and soot off my robes.
I looked around me. We were standing in a dark room. I could make out a few lumps in the room, which I guessed were furniture, but that was it.
"Where are we?" I asked.
Dumbledore didn't answer. Instead, he turned in a direction.
"We're here!" he shouted, "Come out, it's just me."
The lights in the room switched on. A figure walked into the room. I let out a gasp.
"Remus!" I cried.
"Oh, hello, Anya," Remus told me, "It's been awhile. How are you?"
"I'm fine. What about you?" I asked.
"All right, I suppose," Remus answered.
"Remus, Anya's been working at the school. Where's." Dumbledore started, but Remus interrupted.
"Oh, he'll be right down," Remus answered.
"Who?" I asked.
Then, another figure appeared in the doorway. I gasped. I felt like I was on fire. I stepped back, and tripped over the hearth, and fell back. He took a step forward.
"Si. Si. SIRIUS!" I screamed.
"Anya," Remus said, moving forward.
In an instant, I stood up, and ran across the room. I wanted to rip every bone from his body. I wanted to kill him. I wanted him to suffer.
But I didn't get that far. Remus grabbed my arms, and pulled me away. Sirius stepped forward.
"I HATE YOU!" I screamed, "YOU BETRAYED US! YOU. YOU. KILLED LILY AND JAMES! I HATE YOU!!!! HOW DARE YOU COME BACK? HOW DARE YOU!"
"Anya," Remus said, "ANYA! Calm down!"
"Miss Jones, please, stay calm," Dumbledore told me, moving forward, "Sirius didn't do anything. He was framed."
"Framed?" I spat, "By who? The milk man?"
No one looked even a bit amused.
"Peter Pettigrew," Dumbledore answered simply.
I stared at him, and stopped struggling.
"Peter?" I repeated, "Peter? Weak, stupid, Peter?"
Dumbledore nodded.
"At the last minute, I talked Lily and James into making Peter they're secret keeper instead. I told them I'd be the obvious choice. Peter, however, was the last person you'd think they'd choose. So, they used Peter. And he betrayed them," Sirius said, staring at me.
I couldn't look him in the eye. I couldn't.
This was all too fresh to me. Like it was only yesterday when I went to see Lily and found them dead.
Sure, Dumbledore had told me tons of times that Sirius wasn't to blame. But I'd never believed him. But now. I was staring straight at Sirius Black, the person I hated most in the world, well, next to Voldemort.
"He didn't do it, Anya," Remus said.
I glared at Sirius. But my gaze softened.
"I never should have told them to use Peter, Anya. If I hadn't, they'd still be alive," Sirius told me.
It was an assurance as well as a statement. I could almost hear him say it. I would never betray them. Ever.
I started crying, and struggled from Remus' grip, and walked over to Sirius. I wrapped my arms around him, and hugged him.
"Sirius." I whispered, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
* * * The next morning As told by Erika Potter
We were sitting at breakfast, when the doors to the Great Hall opened, and a man walked in. His robes looked old and torn, as did the man himself, but he smiled and carried himself well.
Everyone was giving him weird looks, especially the sixth and seventh years.
Hermione nudged Harry, who looked up. His eyes grew wide, and he jumped up.
"Professor Lupin!" he said.
The man turned, and looked in Harry's direction. Then he walked over to us, smiling.
"Harry, Hermione, Ron. How are you all?" he asked.
Then he looked past them, to Meg and I. He smiled again.
"You must be Erika and Megan. I've heard quite a bit about you from Dumbledore," the man said.
We nodded.
"Professor Lupin, what are you doing here?" Hermione asked.
"I'm here to talk to Dumbledore. Snuffles - Sirius - and I have been staying in the Shrieking Shack. Dumbledore's been gradually taking the professors to see Snuffles. He says if they're all going to fight together, they have to understand that some of us are innocent. I must say, it's been funny a bit of the times. Professor Sinistra nearly jumped into Dumbledore's arms, screaming. Professor Trewlaney was going crazy, predicting stuff. Most of it was stupid," Professor Lupin answered, "Last night, however, was interesting. They brought Anya - er. Professor Jones - to see Snuffles. She hated him. She was yelling, tried to attack him. Then she finally forgave him. Said she'd never believed it was him. Said he was never the type."
Ron was confused, and asked, "They knew each other before all this?"
Professor Lupin nodded, and answered, "At one point in time, it seems so long ago, they were in love."
A/N- short, I know. But, that's enough of that. First step to Sirius and Anya getting back together for all of you who want them to. Anya finally forgave Sirius. Well, that's TWO chapters up at the same time! FF.net keeps screwing up on me, so I don't know when I'll get these up. A whole bunch of confessions, and now everyone's on the same page. almost. Well, that's all for now. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, you guys are the best. Thanks to everyone who's going to review. You rock. Now, make yourself rock, and go review!!!
Additional comments can be sent to me at StarlightEve111@aol.com
Thanks a ton for everything! Stay tuned for the next chap! Happy Holidays!
Disclaimer- I own nothing. It all belongs to the Great Harry Potter people. I am not getting paid. Y'all know the drill.
Erika
Chapter 6
"Oh, no," Megan whispered.
I was panicking. The teachers ran out.
"EVERYONE INTO THE GREAT HALL!" one of them yelled, and the teachers drew their wands.
I grabbed Meg's hand and started to push with the crowd of students all trying to get through the doors at the same time. People were dropping, I don't know if they were stunned or dead.
I couldn't see my brother or his friends.
I felt a tug on my arm and turned to see a spell send Meg flying back, hitting a statue and falling to the floor.
"MEG!" I screamed, and ran to her.
She was knocked out. I dragged her behind the statue, and slapped her to make her wake up.
"Erika, we have to get into the Great Hall," Meg whispered, her eyes not completely opened.
I shook my head, "We can't get through. They're too close. We're stuck here. We wouldn't make it."
Meg started whimpering, and whispering to herself, so quietly I couldn't even hear her.
"It's happening, they've come," was all I could make out from her whispers and whimpers.
I held her hand, and didn't look out, hoping it would end quickly.
Suddenly, the statue burst into pieces, sending us skidding backwards and hitting the stairs. Pain burned all over my body.
I opened my eyes, a bit blurry with tears, and saw a Death Eater in a cape and hood standing in front of us. Meg was crying something.
"Ruth, please no!" she cried.
She could see the Death Eater's face. And she knew who it was.
"ERIKA!" I heard Harry yell from somewhere.
"Stupefy!" I heard another voice shout.
The Death Eater fell to the ground. Professor Jones ran over to us.
"Quick, get into the Great Hall. They're starting to retreat!" she hissed to us, and helped us up.
I grabbed Meg's hand and we ran as we heard someone wake the Death Eater up. When we were in the Great Hall, Meg and I sank into a corner, and didn't move until Harry came to get us.
"They're gone," he told us.
I sighed in relief.
"Come on, get up, you two. Professor Dumbledore wants us to go to his office. He'll meet us there after he calms everyone else down," Harry said.
We went upstairs, and to a statue. Professor Jones was standing beside it.
She said something to the statue, which jumped aside to reveal a staircase.
We followed her upstairs, and through a door.
"Dumbledore should be here soon," she told us, but her voice wasn't straight.
Both Meg and Professor Jones looked incredibly pale. I imagined I must look so too. I was still shaking.
The door behind us opened, and Dumbledore walked in, looking incredibly troubled.
"Miss Potter, Mr. Potter, Miss Dere, I have some important matters to discuss with you," Dumbledore told us.
Meg interrupted him, "I didn't tell them."
Dumbledore gazed at her, then nodded, "Well, I think it is time they know, then, Miss Dere."
"Take a seat," Professor Jones said, pulling four chairs over.
We all sat down. Meg sighed, her head hanging.
"I haven't been completely truthful with you. Please don't hate me for what I'm about to tell you," Meg said.
I stared at her.
"I was born Megan Allhide (Allhide is pronounced Al-hide) Riddle, in a dark mansion. My birth was greatly anticipated. From day 1 I was taught the Dark Arts along with the others. But I was different.
"I had an older sister. She's about Harry's age, maybe a bit older. Her name was. is. Ruth. We weren't the only children. There were 21 of us, myself included. My grandfather wanted an heir. His son, my father, had 6 mistresses, and my mother, his wife. They are all valuable Death Eaters, and have sworn their lives to the cause, my grandfather's cause.
"But Ruth was the best among us, my grandfather's heir, higher than my father, second in command.
"Once, when I was younger, I found a rabbit on the grounds. It was my only friend. Ruth killed it. 'It's a worthless animal, just like Muggles and Mudbloods,' she said. I was old enough to understand that killing was final, there was no coming back once you were dead. I knew my rabbit did nothing. I started to see the killing I had been taught was right since I was born, was wrong. That's when I changed.
"From then on, I stopped going to classes, and spent time in my hide- out, playing chess. That's how I got so good. Sure, everyone hated it, I was punished so much. The Crucio curse was put on me countless times, and the Imperio curse. They would make me hurt myself, or hurt others because they knew I hated it. So, when I saw the chance, I escaped. I went to the Ministry, and asked for help.
"During the attack earlier, my sister was there. She found Erika and me. We were lucky. We escaped. But I felt so bad. I was so naïve, to think they wouldn't come after me. They want me dead, now! They want us all dead!
"Another confession must be made on my part. I scared you the other day, Erika, when I went weird in the common room. I never told anyone, I even denied it myself, until I got to the Ministry. I'm a Seer. Sometimes I go into trances, but mostly I See in my sleep. I never told anyone but Dumbledore, and the Ministry. I only told them because it was my key to get out. As long as they knew, I could help them, I could help stop my grandfather," Meg told us.
Once the speech was over, I stared at my best friend. Meg was the granddaughter of Voldemort, the same person who had killed my parents. At first I was so angry, I wanted to strangle her. Then I looked at her again. She was crying.
"It's. it's okay, Meg. It's not your fault that you have such an awful family," I whispered.
Meg only nodded, still crying.
"Now, Miss Jones, I belief it is time for your confession as well," Dumbledore said, turning to Professor Jones.
Another confession?
"I admit it," Professor Jones said, "I am here not only to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, but for you. Dumbledore thought of it. We know Voldemort is after you, and he's after me as well. So, I'm here.
"I am all that is left of four best friends. There was Andrea McKinnon, Netta Prewett, and Lily Evans, or, as she is better known Lily Potter. Voledmort killed each of them. I was one of the few who knew of Erika's birth. Lily begged me, that if anything happened to her, I'd look after you two. So, I spent the last few years, just looking in on you. I felt obliged to. I'd promised my best friend, and I couldn't go back on it. But, I also had to because. well. Erika, I'm your godmother."
I gasped. Never, in my entire life, had I known I had a godmother. Ever.
"Well, I think that's quite enough for a day. Now, you'd best go straight to your rooms, and tell no one about what was said today. That is between us," Dumbledore said.
We nodded, and left. That night I heard Meg crying in her sleep, not that I was much better.
Everyone in the school had some opinion about the attack the next day. Everyone, that is, except Harry, Meg, and I. We kept our mouths shut, however.
Only two students were dead, a sixth year Ravenclaw and fifth year Hufflepuff. There was a memorial service, and everyone in the school attended, and some others.
But life went on. Classes continued. Rumors still flied when everyone thought the Professors weren't looking. The professors were also very careful, watching everyone, especially Harry, Meg, and I.
"I'll play you at chess," Meg said when we finished our homework a few nights later.
"I'm going to lose," I answered as we set up the chessboard.
Meg grinned, "Maybe I'll let you win."
"You never let me win," I countered, but grinned.
After I had lost a rather quick game of chess, Meg and I decided to go down to the Quidditch pitch, where Harry was having practice. Hermione and Ron were already down there. Hermione was doing her homework, while Ron was watching them.
"Hello," we said as we sat down.
"Erika, Megan, have you decided to try out or not?" Ron asked.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Try outs are next week, so they have time to start training. This year, the first game is Slytherin vs. Hufflepuff, and Harry wants the new recruits trained by then, so he knows just what he needs them to do," Ron said.
I shrugged. A shadow fell over us. Hermione looked up.
"Oh, hello, Hagrid," she said.
A giant man stood behind us.
"'Ello, Hermione, Ron. How's practice coming?" Hagrid asked.
"Fine. Hagrid, this is Erika Potter and Megan Dere. Erika's Harry's sister, and Megan's her friend," Ron said, introducing us.
"Ah, 'ello there, girls. You two must be the rumors of the school," Hagrid told us, smiling.
"Rumors?" Meg repeated.
Hagrid nodded, "Yep. They think we can't hear them, but I hear them well enough. They talk about you two. Harry's supposed to be an only child, but suddenly Erika shows up. I trust Dumbledore, however. If he believes, so do I."
"Not that again," I cried, "Will they ever listen to me? Probably will still be avoiding me when I graduate!"
"What do they say about Megan?" Hermione asked.
"Ah, about the. er. attack on Halloween. They say she was talkin' to one of those Death Eaters," Hagrid said, and shivered.
Meg rolled her eyes, "They make it sound like I was holding a pleasant chat when I was really begging for my life!"
"Rumors are rumors," Hermione said, "They can think what they like. I pity them, for thinking they know so much and really know so little. Erika, I researched that charm your parents used to get you in the future. It does exist, it's just really hard. I think Dumbledore must have done it, not them."
I shrugged.
* * * That night As told by Anya Jones
"Professor? You asked to see me?" I asked, walking into Dumbledore's office.
"Yes, Miss Jones. I have something I want to show you," Dumbledore told me, standing up.
I raised an eyebrow.
"What?" I asked.
Dumbledore answered, "Come over here."
He led me to a fireplace. A fire had been lit in it. He took out a pot of floo powder, and handed some to me.
"Go to the 'Transformation shack,'" Dumbledore instructed.
I was a bit quirked, but I did as told. I put the floo powder in the fire, and shouted the destination, before stepping in.
I fell of in a hearth, and pulled away from the fire. A second later, Dumbledore followed. He landed on his feet. I stood up, brushing the dirt, dust, and soot off my robes.
I looked around me. We were standing in a dark room. I could make out a few lumps in the room, which I guessed were furniture, but that was it.
"Where are we?" I asked.
Dumbledore didn't answer. Instead, he turned in a direction.
"We're here!" he shouted, "Come out, it's just me."
The lights in the room switched on. A figure walked into the room. I let out a gasp.
"Remus!" I cried.
"Oh, hello, Anya," Remus told me, "It's been awhile. How are you?"
"I'm fine. What about you?" I asked.
"All right, I suppose," Remus answered.
"Remus, Anya's been working at the school. Where's." Dumbledore started, but Remus interrupted.
"Oh, he'll be right down," Remus answered.
"Who?" I asked.
Then, another figure appeared in the doorway. I gasped. I felt like I was on fire. I stepped back, and tripped over the hearth, and fell back. He took a step forward.
"Si. Si. SIRIUS!" I screamed.
"Anya," Remus said, moving forward.
In an instant, I stood up, and ran across the room. I wanted to rip every bone from his body. I wanted to kill him. I wanted him to suffer.
But I didn't get that far. Remus grabbed my arms, and pulled me away. Sirius stepped forward.
"I HATE YOU!" I screamed, "YOU BETRAYED US! YOU. YOU. KILLED LILY AND JAMES! I HATE YOU!!!! HOW DARE YOU COME BACK? HOW DARE YOU!"
"Anya," Remus said, "ANYA! Calm down!"
"Miss Jones, please, stay calm," Dumbledore told me, moving forward, "Sirius didn't do anything. He was framed."
"Framed?" I spat, "By who? The milk man?"
No one looked even a bit amused.
"Peter Pettigrew," Dumbledore answered simply.
I stared at him, and stopped struggling.
"Peter?" I repeated, "Peter? Weak, stupid, Peter?"
Dumbledore nodded.
"At the last minute, I talked Lily and James into making Peter they're secret keeper instead. I told them I'd be the obvious choice. Peter, however, was the last person you'd think they'd choose. So, they used Peter. And he betrayed them," Sirius said, staring at me.
I couldn't look him in the eye. I couldn't.
This was all too fresh to me. Like it was only yesterday when I went to see Lily and found them dead.
Sure, Dumbledore had told me tons of times that Sirius wasn't to blame. But I'd never believed him. But now. I was staring straight at Sirius Black, the person I hated most in the world, well, next to Voldemort.
"He didn't do it, Anya," Remus said.
I glared at Sirius. But my gaze softened.
"I never should have told them to use Peter, Anya. If I hadn't, they'd still be alive," Sirius told me.
It was an assurance as well as a statement. I could almost hear him say it. I would never betray them. Ever.
I started crying, and struggled from Remus' grip, and walked over to Sirius. I wrapped my arms around him, and hugged him.
"Sirius." I whispered, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
* * * The next morning As told by Erika Potter
We were sitting at breakfast, when the doors to the Great Hall opened, and a man walked in. His robes looked old and torn, as did the man himself, but he smiled and carried himself well.
Everyone was giving him weird looks, especially the sixth and seventh years.
Hermione nudged Harry, who looked up. His eyes grew wide, and he jumped up.
"Professor Lupin!" he said.
The man turned, and looked in Harry's direction. Then he walked over to us, smiling.
"Harry, Hermione, Ron. How are you all?" he asked.
Then he looked past them, to Meg and I. He smiled again.
"You must be Erika and Megan. I've heard quite a bit about you from Dumbledore," the man said.
We nodded.
"Professor Lupin, what are you doing here?" Hermione asked.
"I'm here to talk to Dumbledore. Snuffles - Sirius - and I have been staying in the Shrieking Shack. Dumbledore's been gradually taking the professors to see Snuffles. He says if they're all going to fight together, they have to understand that some of us are innocent. I must say, it's been funny a bit of the times. Professor Sinistra nearly jumped into Dumbledore's arms, screaming. Professor Trewlaney was going crazy, predicting stuff. Most of it was stupid," Professor Lupin answered, "Last night, however, was interesting. They brought Anya - er. Professor Jones - to see Snuffles. She hated him. She was yelling, tried to attack him. Then she finally forgave him. Said she'd never believed it was him. Said he was never the type."
Ron was confused, and asked, "They knew each other before all this?"
Professor Lupin nodded, and answered, "At one point in time, it seems so long ago, they were in love."
A/N- short, I know. But, that's enough of that. First step to Sirius and Anya getting back together for all of you who want them to. Anya finally forgave Sirius. Well, that's TWO chapters up at the same time! FF.net keeps screwing up on me, so I don't know when I'll get these up. A whole bunch of confessions, and now everyone's on the same page. almost. Well, that's all for now. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, you guys are the best. Thanks to everyone who's going to review. You rock. Now, make yourself rock, and go review!!!
Additional comments can be sent to me at StarlightEve111@aol.com
Thanks a ton for everything! Stay tuned for the next chap! Happy Holidays!