FAMILY REUNION

It had been some days since Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban. It was the last day of August, and for some reason, ever since the newspaper was printed, she hadn't received any more letters from her friends. And Alex knew why. "They think I'm involved somehow". Alex was hurt at her friends. In that moment it was when she needed them the most. But she knew how to take care of herself. And she had Draco by her side. It was enough. She was anxious for the next day. Being back at Hogwarts would be different that year, she knew. And she would have to face Remus.

Before she noticed, she was standing in King's Cross Station. And just like the first year, there were the looks. Fear, hate…It was a mix. Alex walked through the train with everyone avoiding her. She saw Neville at one of the compartments, when he saw her, he was scared, and looked another way. She encountered Fred and George on the corridor. When they saw her, Fred tried to say something and go towards her, but George grabbed him and shock his head. She also heard Ron, Hermione and Harry in another compartment.

- Okay, so Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban to come after you? – asked Ron.

- Seems like it. He is loyal to Voldemort and he thinks that if he kills me, Voldemort will come back.

- But they'll catch Black, won't they? I mean, eventually?

- Sure…Of course, no one's ever broken out of Azkaban before and he's a raving, murderous lunatic…No wonder Alex has such a temper. – in that moment Alex came into view. When they saw her, they knew she had heard them. But they said nothing. Fear, once again. Pity in Hermione's eyes. Alex kept on walking. When she arrived at the front of the train, she sat in the most distant table. Draco sat in front of her.

- You don't need to sit with me, Draco. Go with your friends before they start looking at you the same way they look at me.

- They wouldn't. And even if they did, I don't care. I'm not leaving you alone. – Draco smiled at her warmly. He reached out and grabbed her hand.

The journey was silent and uncomfortable. Alex could feel everyone looking at her and chattering. She was starting to get pissed. If she happened to see her dad, she would punch him in the face for ruining her life. Suddenly, the compartment rattled. Lanterns started flickering and the train began to slow down. Alex looked at Draco with fear. "It's him. He's here". He held her hand tighter. People started wondering what was going on when the train jerked and all of the lights went out.

- Don't let go of my hand, please. – Alex had never been so terrified. Without letting go of her hand, Draco stood up and sat next to her.

- It's okay. I'm not going anywhere. – Draco was afraid too, Alex could tell. But there he was, trying to protect her.

- This is your fault, Black. If your father comes in here, I'm letting him take you. – Pansy spoke some meters away. Always talking at the wrong time.

- Shut up, Pansy! – Draco told her. Everyone was tense. The whole wagon, no, the whole train was silent. Suddenly the car swayed violently. There was some screaming and then, silence again. Temperature started dropping. They stayed like that for a couple minutes, till the lights came back. Everyone seemed to be okay. Alex and Draco looked at each other, wondering what had happened. No one dared to move. Someone opened the door of the car and some people screamed. A man walked in. He was wearing an extremely shabby set of wizard's robes that had been darned in several places. He looked ill and exhausted. Though quite young, his light brown hair was flecked with grey. "Uncle Remus".

- Everyone, calm down. I'm a professor, my name is Remus Lupin. Everything's fine. The train will start moving again shortly. A dementor entered the train to inspect for Sirius Black. It's already gone, so please, return to your seats and calm. – he smiled softly at everyone. He was looking around when their eyes met. He walked closer, but he could see disappointment in her eyes, as well as anger and fear, so he made sure to stopped at a reasonably distance. – Are you okay?

- …Define "okay". – she said with a cold voice. He nodded. He looked at Draco, at their hands intertwined and then back at her. He smiled again. – We'll talk at the castle. – and with that, he turned around and left the car.

- Is he…? – Draco started asking Alex.

- My uncle, yeah…

When they arrived at Hogsmeade, it was raining. They got quickly into the carriages that would take them to the castle. Alex shared hers with Draco, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle. They were all silent, when Pansy decided to open up her mouth, again.

- Do you think that your father will come to take you with him?

- Pansy, stop it.

- No, really, maybe he'll turn her into a murderer as well. She's already quite psycho. Maybe it runs with the blood. – Alex jumped at her, but Draco grabbed her on time.

- SHUT UP, PANSY! You're disgusting. – Pansy looked really hurt at Draco's words, but she had it coming. – Don't listen to her, okay?

The rest of the travel was silent. When they arrived at the castle, Alex went straight towards the Slytherin table. After the feast, in which Alex didn't eat anything, a choir started singing with toads. Alex didn't pay attention. She was looking at the floor all the time. Every time she raised her eyes, she would meet with hundreds of people staring at her. When the choir finished their performance, Professor Dumbledore went to the front, to give his usual speech.

- Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor Remus John Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts. Good luck to you, Professor. – she looked at Remus. He stood up, humbly, as the students clapped for him. He looked at her and smiled. He knew what was going through her head, and he wanted to calm her down, tell her everything would be okay. He sat down again. - As some of you may know, Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid! – the entire hall burst in applause. - Finally, on a more disquieting note, Hogwarts, at the request of the Ministry of Magic, will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban, until Sirius Black is apprehended. – people started murmuring. Draco, who had heard Harry had fainted after encountering the dementor at the train, looked at him and mocked him, pretending to faint again, as Crabbe and Goyle laughed next to him. - The Dementors will be stationed at the entrances to the grounds. While they are under strict orders not to enter the castle itself, you will on occasion see them as you go about your daily activities. Under no circumstances are you to approach them. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving. But, as you may know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. – he looked at Alex as he said that one last part.

When the night came to an end and every student headed towards their common rooms, Alex waited for Remus at the Great Hall entrance. He exited the room next to McGonagall. When he saw Alex, he said goodbye to the professor, and walked towards her.

- Were you waiting for me?

- You said we would talk at the castle…

- Right. Let's go to my office. – he gestured her to follow, and she did. They arrived at the Defence Against the Dark Arts class, and she remembered last year, with Lockhart. What a stupid year. They didn't learn anything, except that Lockhart was a moron. Remus sat at one of the class tables, and Alex did the same. They stood there in silence, looking at each other, until Alex spoke.

- You lied to me…Again. – she wasn't mad, not anymore. She was hurt. The one-time Remus decided to trust her with the truth, and he lied as well.

- I wouldn't call it a lie. – Remus said.

- Really? You told me he was gone.

- Gone doesn't mean dead.

- In that context it did, yeah. Or at least you let me believe that.

- I was afraid you tried to…

- To what?

- To get to him, somehow.

- You thought that I would try to visit a murderer? Even if he was my father?

- What was your first though when you knew he was alive? Let me guess. – Remus knew her way too well. – You probably though about finding him. Am I correct? – she looked down, giving Remus the reason.

- I only had that though for like a couple minutes…

- But you still had it. You've always been like that, Alex. You're stubborn, and once you get your mind around something, you don't let it go easily. I raised you…

- Did he kill my mom? – Remus face froze. He wasn't expecting that question.

- What…Where did you get that from?

- …Malfoy. Lucius.

- Of course… - Remus looked angry. That was something odd. He always tried to be calm. – He lied. Sirius would have never hurt Eden.

- How are you so sure?

- Because he was my friend. And I knew him.

- …But he killed other people. And you knew him… - Alex just wanted to make sure that Remus was being honest.

- You're right…I'll give you an example. – he looked her in the eyes and smiled. – Would you ever hurt Draco Malfoy? – Alex was shocked by the question.

- What does that have to do?

- Just answer.

- No. Never.

- Would he ever hurt you?

- Of course not!

- There you go… - Alex didn't understood, and Remus saw that in her face. – You know what my first though was when I saw you and Draco before in the train? Your parents. I'm aware that Draco is not a very kind person to your friends, you told me several times in your letters. But still, you stay next to him. You protect each other. No matter how many times you get mad at him. Your parents were the same, Alex. Sirius always messed things up. But Eden never left his side. Even when she just wanted to slap his face. That's how I know Sirius didn't kill her. He couldn't have done it.

- …I see. – Alex looked down, and though about her parents. – I heard some of my friends talking about him…They said that he escaped to kill Harry Potter.

- It's possible…If he still serves you-know-who…killing Harry seems like a viable option.

- Do you think he'll come after me?

- You think he wants to kill you? – Remus was serious.

- No, but…He knows about me, right? If I was him…I would be more concerned about seeing my only daughter than killing a boy I don't even know.

- Like I said, I knew him. It's been a long time and…maybe he'll try to see you. Maybe not. If I'm being honest…I hope he doesn't. – Remus got up and got closer to Alex. – I don't want you to get hurt. – they hugged each other.

- I should go and get some sleep. – Remus nodded.

- Good night, Alex.

- Good night. – before she left, she turned around. – Uncle Remus? – he looked at her. – I'm glad you're here. – they both smiled and Alex left the room.