Chapter 5:

A Father's Love

(AN: This was Chappie five, but I decided to replace it. I hope you still like it!)

Harry left to get Lupin only moments before a knock sounded at the door. Diana hesitated as Sirius changed back into a dog. Finally she went to the door and opened it carefully.

"Senor Luke, it is a surprise to see you," she said quietly, letting a tall, muscular man in.

Luke smiled. "No need to pretend, Diana. I know my visits are of no surprise, even to the least observant." He looked down to see Sirius standing beside Diana, his hackles raised. "I thought your father said you couldn't have pets?"

"My father isn't here to govern me," Diana said, her voice barely hiding an undertone of ice. "This pet is my new friend."

"And what about me?" asked Luke. "Am I your friend, lovely Diana?"

He reached out as if to push her hair back from her shoulder. Startled, Diana stepped back, fear in the depths of her eyes. Sirius growled softly, his gaze on Luke as if ignoring Diana. Luke stepped forward again, ignoring Sirius's warnings.

"Didn't you enjoy it before?" he asked, his eyes laughing and intent.

Diana was trembling, Sirius realized as he stood against her leg. He growled again, louder. Luke looked down, startled. Suddenly he snarled.

"Out of my way, animal!"

He made to swipe at Diana, but she ducked and ran. She heard a loud snarl and a snap. Luke yelled, then she heard him run out the door. Moments later, Sirius ran into the living room, changing back into a human and coming to stand behind her. Worry was stamped in his face.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Diana started, tensing as she turned slightly. Seeing Sirius, she turned back around. "I'm sorry," she said softly. There was anger in his eyes, and it had only intensified when she'd looked at him.

Sirius knew he looked angry, but not at her. He was furious with Luke, more so when he saw the tears sparkling in Diana's eyes. "Sorry for what?" he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She flinched, but remained silent as he turned her, pulling her into his arms. After a moment she relaxed and began to cry softly.

"He's always come to touch me. He always does. Father says nothing. He enjoys it," she sobbed.

Sirius held her tighter. "Let it all out," he said softly, maneuvering her to the sofa. He held her until the tears had stopped and she was asleep. He still held her, wondering about the protectiveness he'd felt. He'd felt as a true father would have. He wondered if she'd accept it.

Moments later, Harry and Lupin came in, stopping at the door when they saw the pair. Then Lupin came forward.

"What happened?" he asked, helping Sirius pick Diana up. Sirius told them both as they carried Diana to her bed.

"Harry, would you watch her?" Sirius asked. Harry nodded, taking a chair and a book and sitting by the bed.

Sirius and Lupin went back out. "I was ready to murder him if she wasn't there," Sirius said abruptly. "I would have chased him down and killed him. He tried to touch her. That was bad enough. But she says he's always done it. And her father just sits there." Sirius sighed, sitting on the couch.

Lupin came over to sit on the table. "Then you care for her."

"As a father. I want her to be safe, and away from that man and his friends," he said, referring to her father. "I just don't know if she'd accept it."

Lupin nodded. "I think we'd all come to care for her." After a moment, he asked "Do you think there's room at Grimmauld Place?"

Sirius looked up. "If the others wouldn't mind. I trust her. And it's possibly the safest place for her to be until she goes to Hogwarts."

Lupin nodded. "Then we'll talk to her later, when she wakes. Until then, I'll send an owl to the Weasleys; see if Molly can cook a supper or two for Diana. The girl needs them."

Sirius smiled. "Thanks, Moony."

"No problem, Padfoot." He made to the door, then stopped. "Would you adopt her?"

Sirius looked up, startled, but then nodded. "I'd be happy to. I can't adopt Harry, but perhaps I can give Diana something good to have."

Lupin grinned. "We'll see." Then he left for the moment.

Diana woke up with a start, sitting up quickly.

"Steady, steady," Harry said, startled. "You're all right."

"Where's Sirius?" she asked. "Is he alright?" Her eyes were fixed on his face, wide and frantic.

"He's fine. He's talking with Lupin." He reached out and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. She looked down, surprised. Harry remembered what Sirius had said and pulled his hand away, feeling guilty. "Sorry," he began, but she stopped him with a slight shake of her head.

"It's alright," she said softly. She said nothing more, and neither did he.

They sat silently for a while before Sirius came in. He went to sit at the foot of her bed. Diana pulled her legs up to make room for him, her eyes fixed on his face. After a moment she whispered "Thank you."

"It's alright. I'm just glad you're safe," Sirius replied. "Speaking of safety… Harry, do you think Molly would have any objections to Diana coming to the house?"

Harry thought for a moment, but he knew the answer. "None. She'd be happy."

Sirius nodded. "Diana, would you like to come stay with me for a while? At least until you go to Hogwarts." He waited, but she said nothing as her eyes widened. "You don't have to," he said quickly, thinking she thought he was trying to force her. "I just thought…"

He got no more out, for Diana suddenly threw herself at him, her fierce embrace cutting off any more words. It was all the acceptance he needed. He laughed softly, returning the embrace. "I'm glad you agree."

She looked up. "Of course I agreed. How can I ever thank you enough!"

Noting that Harry had left, Sirius thought for a moment, then said softly "You could let me adopt you."

Well, there you have it (cliffy! What's her answer? Read next time lol!). This is turning into one of my favorite stories, though I had to revise it. Hope you like it! Please R&R, flame or not, don't really care.

Helka