As I was changing I couldn't help, but keep blushing. I had no idea how that was even going to fit in me! That was if he and I were to ever consummate our marriage. Oh, what the hell am I even thinking! Harry is in grave danger and I'm thinking about shagging his godfather, who is much older than I, should I add. Combing my hair, I walked out of my room bumping into none less Sirius. Not being able to look him in the eyes, I looked no beyond his chest.

"You okay there love?" He asked.

Nodding I sneaked beside him. "Yeah, I'm good. You?"

"Fine. Athena careful with the-" He grabbed me before I could fall down the steps. "You sure you are okay?"

Blushing a deeper red, I nodded. "Yes, just somewhat distracted. Umm-thank you, you know for...not letting me fall."

"Anytime love." Letting go of my hand, he scratched his neck. "We must get going."

"Okay." As I went to leave, he stopped me once more. "Yes?"

"I don't know how you would feel with everyone knowing about this." He asked.

Looking up I frowned. "Everyone? Who is everyone?"

"The order, the Weasley's and Harry of course. They would like to know why I show up with a girl in my arms." He finished with a small smirk.

"Well, it's best to get it over with. Besides, I know Hermione will ask non-stop." I didn't know how they will react. I know Molly was going to have a fit and the twins a laugh. I didn't know how the other three, were going to react. Looking up I noticed Sirius was looking down at me, with a thoughtful look. "Sirius?"

"Hmm-oh right let's go." Placing a hand on the small of my back, he guided me towards the front door. Seeing what was on the other side surprised and excited me. A sleek black motorcycle stood proudly on the street. "Come on."

"Sirius, I have never ridden one before." I whispered.

The wizard chuckled. "There is always a first. Come I won't let anything happen to you." Pulling me forward, he climbed onto the bike. "Climb on." Doing as told, he reached for both of my hands. "Hang on tight." Entwining my hands together, I couldn't help, but feel the tightness of his abs. Oh, Merlin. As he roared down the streets, I hid my face behind his back. Growling at the chuckle he gave. It wasn't long till we stopped at a stone building. Sirius waved his wand wordlessly, causing the building before us to break in two and magically bring forth another building. "Welcome to Grimmauld 12." Sirius mumbled, with a bit of disgust. "Let's go. A fair warning Athena, there will be people in there already. Well everyone, but Harry."

Taking a deep breath I followed him into the house. The moment you walk in, you are faced with a long hallway, ending in a room where a group was talking. Within the hallway on the left were three doors, two open and one closed. On the right was a stairway, which most likely led to the bedrooms. I was content to waiting in the hallway, but Sirius led me towards the group. I knew a few, but the rest were new.

"About time you got here Sirius." Mad-eye grumbled.

Sirius shrugged. "Had some things to do. How is Harry?"

"He is safe, for the time being. But we must get to him quickly." Remus said.

"Athena?" A female voice pulled me into a hug.

Confused I slightly pulled back. as I looked up I was relieved to see Molly. "Ms. Waesley!" Hugging her tightly, I held back the tears. "I miss you so much."

"We did as well dear, but how did you get here?" She glanced at Sirius, then back at me. I wasn't sure how to answer that, but thankfully I didn't have to.

"We will get to that later." Sirius said. "Athena, these are Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, Alastor Moody, and you know the others." He said as I spotted Snape, Arthur, Remus, and McGonagall. "This is Athena Gaunt."

"Theodore and Marie's daughter?" Tonks asked.

"Yes, why?" Sirius asked.

Tonks shrugged. "Last I heard she was to marry Lucius Malfoy." That caused everyone to look my way. without knowing, I hid behind Sirius.

"She is not to marry Lucius." His tone letting everyone the subject was closed. "Mad-eye, Tonks, and Kingsley you three will go pick Harry up, later tonight. Make sure he is alone and the muggles are gone."

Mad-eye rolled his one good eye. "What will you tell him when he gets here?"

"The truth."

I was out of place at the moment. "Sirius?" That stopped all conversation and eyes landed on me.

"Yes, love?"

Pointed upstairs I blushed. "Could I go and see my friends? This seems a bit out of my rank at the moment."

Sirius seemed to notice what I meant. "Yes, of course. Ginny and Hermione are staying in the first door to your right."

"Excuse me." Walking out calmly, I bolted up the stairs and into the room. Laughing at the squeal the girls gave.

"Athena!" Hermione jumped off the bed and into my arms. "Oh my god, it's so good to see you! You had us worried."

"What do you mean?"

"Well when we were ordered to come here, Ms. And Mr. Weasley went in search for you. Your parents weren't home and your things were gone. We thought the worst." She pulled me into a tighter hug.

"I'm fine 'mione. See all in one piece." I laughed, giving her a kiss on the head. Even though I was six month's older than her, I was overly protective of her. Everyone knew that messing with her, they were messing with me. I made sure of that. Just ask Malfoy what happened last time. That is if he was ever changed back from his pig form. "How about you? How are you?"

"I'm okay, worried about Harry." She sighed. "Did you get Dumbledore's letter?"

"What letter?" I asked.

"He sent it yesterday." Hermione frowned.

I sighed, hugging Ginny. "After receiving your letter, father arrived and took me to see si-my fiancé." That caused both girls to glance at me. They weren't sure if to grin or cry. "What?"

"What is he like?" Ginny asked.

I shrugged. "You'll meet him later today. He wasn't about to leave me alone."

The girls ginned, as we took up the bed and talked. We settled on watching a movie Hermione brought, along with a television. Ginny and Hermione had taken a seat on either side of me, which throughout the night, ended up using my lap as a pillow. It was late when a knock came on our door. Ginny stood to open it and was somewhat surprised to see Sirius standing on the other side.

"Athena, may I have a word please?" He asked.

Nodding, Hermione moved off my lap and allowed me to stand. Walking out to the hallway, I closed the door behind me. "Yeah?"

"Harry will be here within the hour at most, and then we will have dinner. After I talk with Harry, I wanted to announce the wedding. We can also take the time to ask Remus what he had found." Sirius said.

I had totally forgotten about the announcement. "Molly is not going to like this."

"No one will, if this were on different terms I'd fight it, but-"

"It's being forced on us." I mumbled.

"Have you told Ginny or Hermione?" He asked.

I shook my head. "No, simply said they will meet him later."

"Alright, I will see you shortly." Leaning in he gave me a small kiss on the cheek, before trailing off. Blushing I glanced around, blushing even more at seeing Remus by the steps. Giving me a smirk, he followed Sirius down.

Walking back into the room, I was met with two curious witches. "What?"

"What he did want?" Ginny asked.

Shrugging, I took my seat once more. The girls settling their heads on my lap. "Nothing, he wanted to know if I was alright and that Harry was arriving within an hour." By the time the second movie ended, Harry walked in, causing the three of us to jump and tackle him. it was then that I spotted Ron on the bed 'Was he here along?' After hugging him, I was about to ask how he was, but Molly called from the hallway. Giving him a sorry look, I walked out.

"Yes, Molly?"

"Oh dear, I know you want to speak with Harry, but could you please help me with dinner?" She was a fierce mess. I don't blame her. A full house, twins allowed to use magic freely and with no help.

Smiling, I wrapped my arm around her shoulder. "Of course. Lead the way mum." She was never bothered by the mum name. In fact, she encouraged it. Leading me into the kitchen, I took over setting the table and she finished chopping.

"Athena?"

"Yes, mum?"

"Where are your parents?"

I froze, almost dropping the cup in my hand. "I don't know to be honest." The last time was at Sirius's house. Hell father didn't even allow my mother to say her goodbye. "Why?"

"Well, before we came here Arthur and I went in search for you, but no one was home. We returned the next day and got the same result. Your things were gone as well."

I wasn't sure how to respond to that, so I went to the next best thing. "I don't live with them anymore." Just then everyone began to pile in. Stopping the questions as well.

"Go and sit down dear." Molly said kindly.

Nodding I decided to take a seat beside Hermione, followed by the twins, Ron, Remus, and Arthur. Sirius sat at the head of the table. Following the other side, next to him was an empty seat, then Harry, Kingsley, Ginny, and Tonks. Molly stood on the end of the table chopping some vegetables. Mad-eye stood pacing behind Sirius. Snape appeared at the door but made no move in walking in. I ignored most of the conversation, knowing fully well Hermione will tell me later. I was worried about later, not knowing how they will react. Molly was the one to pull me out.

"No, that's enough!" She snapped, dropping the knife and stomping towards Harry. I swear if looks could kill, I'd be a widow before the marriage. "He's just a boy!" She took the newspaper from him. As Remus shared a look with Sirius. "You say much more and you might as well induct him into the order straight away." Sirius rolled his eyes, about to say something no doubt when Harry jumped in.

"Good! I want to join!" That caught even my attention. Sirius smiled slightly. "If Voldemort is raising an army, then I want to fight!"

Sirius leaned back into his chair, a slight proudness in his stormy eyes. I swear that boy is going to be the end of me and now I have to deal with his godfather. Molly seemed to be mentally killing Sirius in ways we couldn't imagine. Not missing the slight wink Sirius gave Harry, I chuckled. All eyes turning towards me.

"Sorry, that was not supposed to come out." I mumbled, looking down at my plate. Not before seeing the amusement in Sirius's eyes. As we all ate and talked for a while, trying to move all tension. The moment I feared for had arrived.

"If everyone can join me in the living room." Sirius said. "Molly please leave the knife here." Glaring at him Molly, dropped the knife and walked out with the others. I held back, pretending to pick up my plate. "Ready?"

Looking up at him, I noticed the slight wordiness in his eyes. "Not really."

"Good, let's go." Allowing me to go out first, I quickly took a seat between Remus and Hermione. Sirius took his seat in the black armchair.

"What's this about?" Snape huffed, clearly bored.

"Two days ago, I got some news that was rather..."

"Shocking?" I offered.

Sirius nodded. "Yes, shocking. I am to be married." All was quiet for about three heartbeats.

"What?!" Harry yelped. "With who?"

I could feel Hermione's eyes boring holes into, her brain working on putting the pieces together until... "Athena!" She gasped.

With a defeated sigh, I nodded. "Yes, father had signed a contract with Sirius's parents, stating that their first daughter was to marry her oldest son. Sirius Orion Black."

"Surely you denied it." Molly smiled weakly at me, but receiving no answer, she became raged. "Sirius! How ca-"

"I-we can't!" Standing abruptly, he walked behind the armchair and gripped the back of it. "The contract is bonded with not only magic but with our blood and our parent's blood. If either of us rejects the contract. We both will be stripped of our magic."

"But she is only a child!" Snape growled. That came as a shocker for everyone, but me. Snape has always been like a father really. He was the one to heal me after the beatings, give me shelter when I didn't want to go home. He was always there for me and he was the only reason I have ever gotten in a fight with harry. And like them, I would always defend. "There must be a way out of this."

"Thinking it over, it is only safe we go along with this. Mainly for Athena." Sirius said, earning shouts from everyone in the room. "Silence!"

"Of course you would mutt." Snape hissed.

"Enough!" Molly yelled. "Athena?"

"Yes?" I looked up for the first time.

"Do you want to go along with this?"

I was stuck. It's not that I want to, but it's the best. "Yes." Snape scoffed. "If I don't we lose our magic. Not only that, but father will simply marry me off to the next suitor."

"Who?" Snape asked, beating everyone else in the room.

"Lucius Malfoy." I whispered.

Tonks gagged. "Sorry to say this, but your father is a pig. He is practically selling you off to the highest bidder."

"Don't be, I have come to accept it." Looking at Snape, he looked away. Now that hurt.

Kingsley decided to add his quarter in. "But it is no surprise either. Pureblood families have always married off their children to other families. It is their way of keeping the line alive and pure.

Sirius took his seat, making a face at the word 'pure'. "Remus, did you find anything?"

"Nothing good Padfoot." He replied. "The contract is valid, seeing as you were fifteen when your mother signed it. You weren't disowned until you were sixteen. The ministry expects you to marry within three months and continue the Black's line with an heir. I have also discovered, that if either of you were to reject, not only would you have no magic, but Sirius would go to Azkaban and Athena will be married to a suitor. Whichever one comes first."

Sirius glared into the fire. "Malfoy."

"Most likely." Remus said.

Suddenly his words caught up to me. "Heir?"

Molly jumped in before Remus could answer. "That is something that can wait. It's bad enough you have to marry so soon, the children can wait."

"Actually..." Remus began, gaining all attention. "It can't, well to a certain point yes."

"Meaning?" Harry asked although we were all dreading the answer.

"An heir must be born within the two years of marriage. And he must be of your husband."

I glared up at the werewolf. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Remus shrunk back, hands raised. "I am not implying anything Athena, I am simply repeating the terms."

Harry glanced at his godfather. "Did you try and speak with her parents?"

Sirius nodded. "The same you are all saying is the same I said to them. At one point they agreed to break the contract, but I denied it."

"Why in the bloody hell did you do that?!" Molly yelled. I loved that woman, I really did, but I was seriously getting a major headache.

"Because the moment I did, she would be engaged to Lucius! And I bet you would be giving me a lot more hell if I allowed that to happen!" Sirius snapped. Do you remember when I said he seemed, like a ticking bomb? Well, I believe he is about to go off. "Breaking this marriage does not end well, no matter how many turns or twist you give it. She either loses her magic and gets sent off to Malfoy or she saves her magic and gets sent off to Malfoy."

"So it's you or Malfoy." Hermione said, speaking for the first time.

"Yes."

We were all quiet, there was nothing to be done or can be done. We were to get married and I was to have the next in the Black family. Oh, Merlin, I was not ready for kids. I was not ready for sex!

"Let's all go to bed. It's late and you six-start school tomorrow." Molly mumbled.

I knew she was not happy, in fact, no one was. But we all had to deal with it. Right now what mattered were Harry and his safety. Molly? I can talk to her later, but I needed to speak with Snape.

As everyone filed out, I stopped him. "Can we talk?" I whispered, not missing the look Sirius gave us as he walked by. "Please Snape." Giving me a nod, I pulled him towards the couch. "Are you mad?"

"Not with you Athena, never with you. It is with the situation. Why didn't you tell me?" He asked a bit of hurt in his tone.

I shrugged. "I didn't know where you were. Nor that we were going to meet here of all places. Plus this is not something to be said in a letter."

"True. How are you dealing with this?"

"I am coping. Sirius has been nice and understanding."

Snape scoffed. "That's a new one."

"Pa, come on. You know I was going to get married sooner or later." I grinned, it has been ages since I've called him that.

His eyes soften a bit. "Yes, although I expected it to be later, much later. And with someone closer to your age. Not to mention he wouldn't be an ex-convict or full of tattoos."

Leaning my head on his shoulder, I laughed. "You two will become the best of friends." That earned me a humorless laugh. "Can I ask you for a favor?"

"Impound you fiancé?" He asked no humor in his tone.

Laughing, I shoved him lightly. "No, but I will keep that in mind." Taking a deep breath, I kept my eyes down. "Would you walk me down the aisle?"

He seemed surprised but smiled softly. "I'd be honored." Leaning over and kissing my cheek, I pulled him into a hug.

"I missed you pa."

"I as well." For a few seconds, we held each other, before pulling away. "I must get going. Please take care of yourself. You know where to find me if need be."

"Yes, pa." Walking him to the floo channel, I waved. "Careful. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodbye." With that, he was gone.

"You two seem...close." A smooth voice said.

Jumping around, I came face to face with Sirius. Calming my beating heart, I nodded. "Yes, Snape is like a father. My own never cared for me and I never knew a father's love. Not until I met Snape. And up until this day he has treated me the same."

Sirius nodded but held a small frown. "Hermione has been asking for you."

"Thank you." Walking out, I was blocked by his hand. "Sirius?"

"I forgot to tell you, you will be sleeping in my room. All the other rooms have been occupied." His voice was so close to my ear. "Does that make you uncomfortable?" I shook my head, to nervous to speak. "I'll look for you later."

"Excuse me." Squeezing past him, I couldn't miss the amusement in his eyes. Rolling my eyes I jogged up the steps and into the room, where 6 pairs of eyes were on me. "What?"

"What you mean what? You never told us Sirius Orion Black was your fiancé!" Ginny yelled, I swore the entire neighborhood must have heard her.

Frowning, I closed the door behind me. "One, lower your voice, and two, I didn't know. At first." Lies. "And he didn't either."

"Have you two...you know."

"What? No!" I blushed, they could never know about this morning. I looked towards harry. "You upset about this?" Why does it seem I have asked this question over and over?

Harry shrugged. "I'm not sure. I mean I am not thrilled in knowing my friend/sister, is going to be shagging my godfather, but I can come to terms. Just please no details and no speaking of it. And try not to make out in front of me either."

Laughing I pulled him into a hug. "You had me worried Potter, never do that again."

"Promise."

As we all huddled together to watch a movie, I ended up in the middle, with Ginny and Hermione on either side. Harry and George behind Ginny. Ron and Fred behind Hermione. Me being used as a pillow, like always.

"Athena?" Hermione whispered, as to not wake the others.

"Hmm?"

"Can you sing the song please?"

I chuckled, giving her a nod. She has come accustom to me singing her that song. For some odd reason, it kept the nightmares away. Using my wand I removed everyone's shoes and jackets, levitated a blanket over us, turned the television off, and dimmed the lights off. Closing my eyes, I softly began to sing.

*Land or bear and land of the eagle.
Land that gave us birth and blessing.
Land that called us ever homewards.

We will go home across the mountains.
We will go home, we will go home.
We will go home across the mountains.
We will go home, we will go home.
We will go home across the mountains.

Land of freedom, land of heroes.
Land that gave us hope and memories.
Hear us singing, hear us longing.

We will go home across the mountains.
We will go home, we will go home.
We will go home across the mountains.
We will go home, we will go home.
We will go home across the mountains.*

Hearing the floor creak I looked up to see Sirius leaning against the door frame. His eyes staring intently into mine. He seemed so lost. Not taking my eyes off him I continued.

*Land of sun and land of moonlight.
Land that gave us joy and sorrow.
Land that gave us love and laughter.

We will go home across the mountains.
We will go home, we will go home.
We will go home across the mountains.
We will go home, we will go home.
We will go home across the mountains.

When the land is there before us.
We have gone home across the mountains.
We will go home, we will go home.
We will go home across the mountains,*

Glancing down at Hermione and the others, I smiled. They were lost deeply in sleep. Looking up at Sirius I raised my hand, asking for help. Smiling softly he crept in and pulled me out of the bed. Causing me to slam into his chest, yet he didn't seem to notice. Without a word, he carried me out of one room and into what must be his. gently laying me on the bed, he disappeared into the bathroom. Taking that as an invitation I stripped my jacket and shoes, leaving only my tank top and shorts. Crawling into bed, I turned my back to the bathroom. I was somewhat nervous. I knew he wouldn't try anything, but it didn't help my nerves. Hearing the door open I froze and waited. Something hit the ground and he was then in the bed.

"Athena?" He called.

"Hmm?"

"Come."

Not turning around, I frowned. "What?"

"I don't bite Athena. Well, not in this form." He chuckled. "I know it is cold, please come closer." Swallowing hard I turned to face him. only to see he was shirtless. And oh Merlin! Why couldn't he be old and disgusting! Why must he be so damn attractive! Yelping at the hand he snaked around my waist, he simply smiled. As he pulled me closer, I laid my head over his chest and hesitantly placed my hand on his abdomen. He was so damn warm. His hand trailed up to my head, running his soothing fingers through my hair. "You have an amazing voice." He whispered.

"Thank you." I mumbled, half-asleep from the wonderful torture he was giving me. "Good night Sirius."

"Good night love." He kissing me on the head was the last thing I remember.