Chapter 2

Plans

"Well, tell him Harry," said Sirius after shutting the door.

Harry looked to Lupin and handed him the sorcery book. "I found this and a few others in her bookshelf. They're hidden, but they're used. I saw a trunk under her bed, and there's a few loose boards on her floor." Lupin examined the book, then nodded for Harry to go on.

"I think we should tell Dumbledore about this. If she's being abused, she should be somewhere safe. And she needs to learn to control what power she has. What better place for those two things then Hogwarts?"

Lupin nodded slightly. "Very good, Harry. I'll contact Dumbledore in a few moments."

Meanwhile, Sirius returned to the room as Karen was finishing up.

"How is she?" he asked.

"She'll be fine, for now. She's lucky you were there to help. To think, some fathers treat their young ones like this..." She sighed.

Diana didn't move as Karen stood, giving her a pat on the shoulder and left. Sirius just stood by the door. After a moment, he came over.

"What's your name?" he asked suddenly.

She looked up. "I've already told you," she said softly.

"And I'm Cornelius Fudge," he said. "What's your name?"

She stiffened and looked away. He suddenly reached down and put his hand on her shoulder, causing her to tense and look up. All she saw in his gaze was kindness.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to help. Please, tell me who you are."

"Diana. Diana Rodriguez. The man is my biological father," she said softly. She looked down. "He says I need discipline. He's always drunk."

Sirius sat down beside her. "I'm glad I could help, then," he said. "Do you still want me to call you Veronica?"

She bit her lip, then shook her head. "No. Well... When we're around the others, when they come in, can you keep my name a secret?"

Sirius nodded. "I will. Thank you for telling me Diana."

She looked up. "It's the least I could do after you saved me," she returned.

Dumbledore came quickly when he got Lupin's message. "Where is she?" he asked quietly. Lupin pointed to the room. The Headmaster was there and through swiftly. He paused when he saw the sight before him; a young girl laying on the bed under a sheet, her black hair spread on the pillow, and Sirius, looking down at the girl with fatherly kindness in his eyes. He smiled slightly; the two made a good pair, and could be related.

"Veronica? I am Professor Dumbledore," he said, stepping into view. He saw the quick flash of instinctive fear, the tensing of muscles. Sirius placed a hand gently on her shoulder, and she looked up, then relaxed.

"I'd like to ask you a few questions," Dumbledore said. "Sirius, if you'd excuse us?"

Before Sirius could answer, Diana spoke quickly. "Please, Professor, can he stay?" She immediately turned her gaze down, but said nothing else.

After a moment, the Headmaster nodded. "He may stay."

Lupin and Harry stood at the door as Dumbledore began to ask Diana questions. She answered many of them correctly, but a few she was hesitant, looking to Sirius as if to make sure this was alright. He would nod, and she would answer. After 10 minutes, the Headmaster let up. He stood and walked out, Sirius, Harry, and Lupin following.

"She has extensive knowledge, leading me to believe someone has taught her. She knows Herbology quite well, and blocks against curses." He paused, then said "If she will agree to come, I will take her to Hogwarts."

A soft, small voice came from the doorway they'd just left. "Please, sir... Would you?"

They turned to see Diana holding on to the door, her eyes on Dumbledore.

The Headmaster smiled. "I'd be delighted to," he said softly.

She stepped out. They noticed that she had changed while they'd come out, for she now wore a dress of pale lavender that draped over her to-slim frame.

"Then... You should know... My name's Diana. Diana Rodriguez. That man is my father..." she shivered and looked away. "I'd be in your debt if you could take me to Hogwarts."

Dumbledore shook his head slightly. "No. You getting to be safe and healthy would repay it a thousand times over."

She looked up, startled, before a small, quivering smile lit her face and dark eyes. "Thank you," she said softly.

Harry stepped forward, noting that this time, all Diana gave was an instinctive flinch. He held out his hand. "Thank you," he said softly as she hesitantly took it. He smiled, and then the plans began to form.