"Oh my Goodness!" Nykai heard someone exclaim as the heavy old door opened to Grimmauld Place. Pink terry cloth arms wrapped around her and helped her stumble into the house. She lifted her head and saw mass of red hair above all the terry cloth and the distinct smell of home-cooking hit Nykai pleasantly.

"'lo, Molly." She greeted as she forced her legs to move herself indepently, she didn't want to get any blood on Molly's lovely bathrobe. At the same time she let herself be led away to the kitchen, her weary gaze moving around the interior of the house. It was so strange, she had a feeling she had been here before. She recognized things from the dark wood staircase to the ancient furniture that occupied the different rooms.

"We were thinking the worst. Missing for three days, no word." Molly Weasley clicked her tongue a few times, shaking her head. "By the looks of you, you did meet the worst." She added as they reached the kitchen. Molly helped her to a seat before looking for things to clean the younger witch up with.

April, 1976

"What were you doing breaking in in the first place?" Nykai could hear the angry voice of Professor McGonagall and automatically knew she didn't want to wake up. She was in the Nursing Wing, she could tell that by the clean smell and stiff bedsheets. What she didn't know was why.

Last thing Nykai Lupin remembered was her brother's quiet protests and James's encouragement as Sirius lowered her down into Filch's office. She had been hanging from the ceiling, her feet being held by Sirius who was huddled with the other Marauders in the small crawl space above. She saw her goal in sight, the blank piece of parchment. But has her hand fell on it, there was a bright flash of red light, she fell and..woke up now.

It all made sense now. Sirius dropped her on her head! Damn him!

Nykai groaned softly as she opened her eyes, pain shot through her head at the light. The quieted argument that had been going on suddenly fell silent as they realized she was finally awake and aware. In the room was the furious McGonagall as well as Sirius and Filch himself. That was good news at least. Either the other boys were being held somewhere else or they had escaped trouble.

"Detention. Both of you," Snapped McGonagall. "I won't keep you from this afternoon's classes anymore than what you have already missed."

Nykai groaned again and put her hand to her head. "But Professor, with me sustaining injuries? I don't think I should exert myself.."

"You're fine, Ms. Lupin. Madame Pomfrey approved of your dismissal as soon as you awoke." The professor said calmly and with perhaps a hint of a smile.

"Eh, it was worth a shot," Nykai thought before hopping out of the bed and letting Sirius help her to the door, Filch's demands for more punishment in their wake.

"Nyx, hold up." Sirius requested when they were far enough away that Filch's howls had all but vanished. He looked up and down the empty corridor carefully for any other stray students. Nykai only frowned at him as he approached her, still rubbing her head.

"Wha- Sirius!" She interrupted herself with surprised yell as his hand dipped into her shirt. "Listen, there's a time and a place and this is neither!"

He looked up at her innocently as he pulled his hand back out, the parchment now clutched in it. "Oh com'on Nyx. I had to hide it somewhere McGonagall wouldn't let him search." Sirius said with his patented grin.

Present

Nykai grinned to herself. She still remembered that day perfectly. How Filch had the tip from Malfoy that someone was going to try to steal from him that day and he had someone put up the trap. Sirius had dropped her, but fell in himself soon after when she was already unconscious. Also she remembered, how hard she had slapped him for hidding anything in her shirt.

Her grin turned into a sad one and her stomach twisted unpleasantly. The same it always did whenever she thought about Sirius Black. The same sadness and anger she felt towards him always returned to her. Luckily, the anger at his deeds outweighed the sadness. He, her old friend, was the reason she was now an Auror. She had vowed to hunt him and everyone like him to the ends of the earth and back.

Author's Note: Big important fact in this chapter, the reason Nykai became an Auror. Sirius's 'betrayal' was a bit too much for her. She doesn't yet know he is innocent. Oh, the fun that will follow!