Sirius pulled back stunned, grinning down at me. "W-what did you say?"

"I love you, Black." I whispered. "I keep falling in love with you and each time is harder than the last." I squealed as he pulled me onto his chest and into a hard kiss. "Every time the feeling gets deeper, more complete, more bewitching."

"You know how much I wanted to hear those words." Sirius whispered. "I love you, Athena. There isn't a thing I wouldn't do to keep you safe and happy. The more love we share the more it multiplies."

"You know this was the last thing I thought would happen when I heard I was marrying you." I folded my hands on his chest, resting my chin on my hands. "I never thought I would fall in love with you and this quickly."

"That makes two of us Athena." Sirius replied, pushing my hair away from my face. "I am been broken for a long ti-"

I was quick to cut him off with a kiss. "You are not the only one broken Sirius. We both are." Placing my finger on his lip to stop his argument, I stared into his lovely eyes. "We heal each other."

Before he could respond someone knocked on the door once more. Sirius rolled his eyes, glancing at the clock by the bed. "For it being 2 am, everyone is wide awake and bothersome."

"Be nice." Slapping him on the chest, I rolled off him. "Yes?"

"Athena, Ms. Weasley is asking for you." Hermione's said.

Falling back into his arms, I groaned. "I'll be right out." Hearing her walk away, I jumped out of bed and changed quickly. "You hungry?"

Sirius thought for a moment, giving me a slight nod. "I can eat."

"Okay, I bring you something." Making my way down to the kitchen, I found Molly sitting at the table. "Mum?"

She jumped to her feet, grabbing my hand. "Athena, I was hoping to speak to you before-" She stopped, leaning in closer to me. "What is that?"

"What?" I frowned, placing my hand on my neck trying to sense something. "What?"

Pushing my hands away, her eyes glared at something in my neck. "I am going to skin that mutt."

"What?!" I yelped, running into the hallway I rolled my eyes at the love bite Sirius gave me. "It's a small bite mum, it'll be gone in a few days."

"It's still no inappropriate Athena, especially school starting today." Molly chaste.

"Mum, I can't prevent everything Sirius does to me." I was quick to bite my lip the moment I spoke those words. "What I meant is, he is now my husband and I-I love him. What happens between us, is that between us. But I will make sure to hide it during my stay at Hogwarts."

"Love?"

The moment I heard his voice, I felt my entire body go rigid. I didn't want to turn around. I didn't want to see him. I didn't want to confirm he was indeed behind me. Glancing up at Molly, I knew I wasn't hearing things. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see how you were." He said.

I scoffed. "Funny coming from the man that, one kidnapped me. Two marked my hand. And three got my father killed."

Snape suddenly appeared in front of me. "I didn't kill that man. I tried to save him."

"Save him?! While my father died tied and gagged to a chair, you were busy doing this to me!" I raised my arm up, showing him the mark. "How in the hell were you trying to save him?!"

"Athena I-"

"Don't!" I shoved a finger towards him, daring him to continue. "Don't you dare and say you are sorry. There is nothing, nothing you can ever say to make this right."

"Listen to me please." Snape whispered.

"I don't want to professor." Taking a step back, I hugged myself. Right now, I was really missing Sirius's arms. "My entire life was a lie. The man I thought was my father, is nothing to me. The one that is my father, betrayed me. I am pretty sure if you were in my shoes, you wouldn't want to see or talk to me as well."

Snape sighed, taking a seat at the table. "I am not leaving until we talk."

"I have school tomorrow." I made my way towards the door, only to have him block the exit. "Move please."

"I never meant to hurt you, Athena." Snape whispered. "Everything I have done was to keep you alive. From your birth to now. Even the mark. I have never done anything, looking to cause you any pain on purpose. You need to believe me." Feeling his hands land on my shoulder, I tried shoving him off. He grabbed ahold of me, pulling me into a hug. The harder I fought him, the tighter he held onto me. I didn't want his hug. I didn't want to be near him. I didn't want him here. "The call will come soon Athena. No matter what happens, you must fight it."

"Let me go." I didn't want to listen to him anymore. I just wanted him gone. I don't know how to explain it. It wasn't hatred. It was more hurt than anything. "Let me go and leave."

"Athe-"

"Don't make her repeat herself." We both turned to spot Sirius standing behind Snape, his wand twirling his hand. The man wore his slacks, with an open shirt. He must have grabbed everything in a rush. "Severus."

"Black." Snape hissed.

Sirius walked over to us, pulling me towards him. "Isn't it a little late for house calls?"

"I was just about to leave."

Sirius stopped him from getting close to me. "Door is that way." Severus tossed him a glare, before walking out of the house. Sirius turned to me, pulling me into a hug. "You okay?"

"Yeah." I held onto him, never wanting to let go. "I am fine, just the shock of him showing up out of nowhere."

"What was he doing here in the first place?" Sirius asked Molly.

Molly sighed, handing me a cup of tea. "He said he came with Dumbledore's orders; I couldn't say no Sirius."

"From now on, he is not to step foot in this house. Unless one of us is with him at all times." Sirius ordered.

"Of course." Molly ran a soothing hand down my back, kissing me gently on the head. "You should take her to bed. It's nearly four am and they need to be up by 7."

Once we were settled in bed, Sirius held me close to him. He didn't ask me anything, he simply held me. His scent was enough to sedate me into a blissful peace. Snuggling into him, I kiss him lightly on the chest.

Sirius chuckled, lifting my gaze at him. "Looking for a fourth-round?"

"Shut up." I punched him softly on the arm. "You really are a bad influence."

"Oh, we are back to that now?" Sirius asked.

Grabbing his hand in mine, I kissed it. "Thank you. For being there for me. I am pretty sure this wasn't what you expected."

"Athena, I will always be there to protect you." Sirius whispered. "No matter what it is or what the consequences are."

Pulling him into a kiss, I laid on his chest. "I love you."

Time jump:

We were both awaken by the banging on our door. Glancing at Sirius, I spotted the wizard still deep in sleep. His arms still held me in a tight grip. Creeping out of bed carefully in not waking him up, I grabbed my clothes and jumped into the shower. I cast a silence spell, to avoid waking him up from my noise. Once I changed, I decided to throw my hair into a messy bun. No point in fixing it up right now, we didn't have classes today. Stepping into the room, I relaxed at seeing him still asleep. It wasn't that I didn't want to see him before I left, but Sirius hadn't been sleeping well these past few days. So, the more he got the better. Slipping out of the room, I walked into chaos. Molly was yelling at the others to get ready while chasing the twins up and down the house. Harry and Hermione sat on the couch, waiting patiently to go. Ron was scavenging around looking for any sign of his missing shoe. Which I was sure to see scurrying past my feet. Making my way down the stairs, I bumped into the said shoe. Picking up the item, I uncovered a small black and brown rat.

"Ron!" I yelled, picking up the little critter.

"What?!"

Holding up the shoe, with the rat inside I raised my brow. "You missing this?" He came running down the stairs, snatching them from my hand. "You really need to be more careful with that animal. Black still isn't trained to not go after small critters."

Ron placed the animal on his shoulder, hopping on one foot as he put the other on. "I know, I know."

"Speaking of Black, who are you taking?" Hermione asked.

Seeing Gryffindor trot his way over to me, I kneeled down hugging his neck. "Him. Black is still too young and will most likely wander off."

"You kids ready?" Molly huffed, dragging the twins into the room by their ears. "Got all of your stuff?" We all responded with a yes ma'am. "Okay, ah Athena is Sirius coming along?"

"I don't think so. He was still asleep when I came down." giving her a give me a moment gesture, I jogged up the stairs and into the room. Walking over to the bed, I kissed him on the lips. "Sirius?"

"Hmm?"

"We are leaving." Getting no response, I slipped back out of the room and headed out. We arrived with spare time, so we decided to simply grab a cabin before they filled up. Gryffindor laid at our feet, with Hermione's cat splayed on over his paws. "So, any plans for the classes?"

Harry nodded, handing me a piece of paper. "I wrote them down. That's what I want to work on, think you can help."

Looking over the paper, I nodded. "Yeah. It should be easy."

"Hey, Athena?"

Looking over at Ron I nodded. "Yeah?"

"Are you sure Scabbles the second is not a human?" He was currently eyeing the animal with a suspicious look.

"Yes, Ron I am sure he isn't some creepy old man." I assured.

Hermione grabbed the animal, eyeing it as well. "How did you test it?"

"Simple, I ask him." Seeing the looks I got from all three, I fought not to laugh. "What?"

"You asked him?" Harry repeated slowly.

I nodded with a shrug. "Yeah, I asked him if he was a man or woman."

"What the hell?!" Ron yelped. "He could be another one!"

That's it I couldn't hold it in anymore. As I laughed my ass off, the others were looking at me with worried looks. "I-I can't. Give me a moment." Taking in a few breaths I sobered up. "I had Sirius cast a spell to reveal anyone or thing that could be hiding inside or as the rat. He is fine. Scabbles the second is a normal dumbo rat."

Ron sighed, giving the animal a small cracker. "You play too much."

"You're too easy to get." Dodging the marshmallow, he threw my way, I laughed at his childish tantrum.

Leaning my head against the window, I watched as the trees flew past us. It was a beautiful scene really, the mixture of colors mixing with the wind itself. Closing my eyes, I allowed sleep to take me. My fingers holding onto my blood ring tightly.

Third Pov:

"She fall asleep?" Hermione asked, leaning over to see if Athena had in fact fallen asleep.

Harry nodded, grabbing his jacket and placing it over her. "Yeah."

"Well, after the night she had, I would be surprised she wasn't tired." Ron said.

Hermione frowned. "What do you mean?"

Ron leaned closer as if to prevent anyone else from hearing. "I heard mum telling dad, that Snape showed up last night. He and Athena got into a huge argument. Snape only left once Sirius showed up and kicked him out."

"What did he want?" Harry growled. "How dare he show up? After what he did to her!"

"Shh." Hermione hushed, having seen her squirmed. "Keep it down."

"He had no right going near her." Harry hissed.

Ron shrugged, saying what everyone knew. "He is her father Harry."

Harry scoffed. "Snape may be her biological father, but that's it." Glancing at the girl he has come to love as a sister, Harry pulled the jacket up higher on her. "Athena has been there for me in ways many haven't. She once came to my house after Hedwig called for her. She stayed with me all night, to prevent my uncle from hurting me." He turned to the others. "And just like she has been there for me, for us, I will be there for her. If that means keeping Snape away from her, then that's what I will do."

Hermione reached for his hand, squeezing it. "We will all keep her and each other safe. We made that promise years ago."

"That's right." Ron jumped in. "Besides it will be fun to mess with Snape a little."

Harry laughed, leaning back into his seat. Athena shifted, causing her head to fall on his shoulder. Her hand hooked into his arm, snuggling into his warmth.

Hermione snickered. "She may act tough and mean, but she is the cuddliest person ever."

"Just don't let her hear you say that." Harry whispered. "You remember what she did to Brian for calling her sweetheart."

Ron winced, making a cringed face. "Poor bloke, still can't grow his hair back till this day."

The three pulled faces, bursting out laughing. No one dared to call her any pet names after that. Brian still avoided her at all cost, going to full length as to switching classes. Everyone learned something new that day.

Do not call Athena Gaunt any endearments.