Time jump:

I barged into the house, not hearing or seeing anything, but Sirius laying on the couch. I came to a sliding halt, kneeling beside him. "Sirius?" My hand running slowly through his hair. "What happened?" I wasn't asking anyone in particular. Sirius's body felt rigid. He was in pain and discomfort. 'I'm here.' Grabbing his hand in mine, I smiled at the slight squeeze he gave.

"I don't really know." Remus said. "We had just arrived when we were ambushed."

I looked over to find Remus hurt as well. The man had a bruised eye and busted lip. "Who? Where?" I glanced back at Sirius, pushing his hair back, trying to get a look at his face. "Bloody bastards." His lip was busted. He had a bruise forming on his jaw. "Remus, who did this?!"

"Lucius and some other death eaters." He breathed. "I don't know how they got in here, let alone how they got the jump on us."

"How badly is he hurt?" Harry asked.

"He has a couple of ribs bruised. Tonks already has the doctor on its way." Remus replied.

Making sure he was still sleeping, I stood up and turned my attention to the werewolf. "I need to know everything that happened here. Don't leave anything out."

"Athena I don-"

"Don't!" I snapped. "I am tired of coming home every night to finding him beaten, harmed, chased, or hiding. I never know what I am coming home to or if he is alright. What's worse he won't tell me how or who. So I am asking you now, what happened?"

Remus held my gaze for a moment, before looking away in defeat. "We got back when we were ambushed. Sirius shoved me into the next room, in an attempt to distract them. Give me time to get ahold of the order." His eyes glazed over as if he was back there. "I don't know what happened exactly, I had two on me at the time. I could hear the struggle coming from the room, but I couldn't help him."

"What drove them off?" I asked. "I am guessing they wanted the both of you completely gone." Just thinking he could have been killed, had my stomach in knots.

"Your new friend came into play." Remus chuckled.

I frowned, not catching onto his meaning. "What? What friend?" Remus pointed a finger to something behind me. Glancing over my shoulder, I spotted Runespoor slithering his way over to me. "You?"

'Why so shocked?' First head hissed.

'Didn't think you were the saving type.' I replied.

Runespoor slithered up my leg, around my waist, and settled itself around my neck. 'Consider it payback.'

'What happened? With the men?'

The third head moved towards my ear, hissing ever so softly. 'There were five of them. Two on the wolfman and three on your husband. I came down when I heard the yelling and banging. All the noise wasn't letting me sleep.'

I rolled my eyes, flickering him away from my ear. 'Don't whisper in my ear.'

"How long before Tonks gets here?" I asked.

Remus shook his head, glancing at the door. "I don't know. We need to be careful with our comings and goings right now. Plus, we also have-"

"Your son, I know." It was selfish of us to keep asking them to keep putting themselves in danger. Tonks and him had their baby boy to look after. They shouldn't have to worry about me and Sirius at every little that happened to us. "Remus, I can care for Sirius. Go home."

"But Tonks will be here in-"

I raised my hand, stopping him mid-sentence. "I will watch over Sirius, it's my responsibility. Yours is your wife and son." Giving him a squeeze on the hand, I turned back to Sirius. "I got it from here."

"Alright." Remus reached for his coat and bag. "Send an owl if you need me."

"You need anything?" Harry whispered.

I jerked at the sudden sound of his voice. I had completely forgotten they had come with me. "Ah, I just need to get him cleaned up and healed. It won't take too long."

"I wonder how they got in." Hermione spoke to herself, inspecting the front door. "The door doesn't look forced open."

"Someone let them in maybe?" Ron suggested.

I shook my head. "There isn't anyone here that can allow them in."

"Then what?" Harry asked. "They just popped in?"

"Magic." Ron whispered.

"No, the house is protector from intruders. No one, with the exception of those allowed and the order, has access to the house." I remember Sirius explaining that to me my first week here. "They had to have been let in. Ron, could you bring me a bowl of warm water and a towel please?"

"But who?" Hermione asked. "You were at Hogwarts and Sirius was with Remus. There was no one else."

Ron walked back in with the bowl, placing it beside me. "Thank you." Soaking the towel, I squeezed the water out until it was damped. I carefully cleaned up the dried blood off his lip. Once more doing the same I did for Harry. Placing my hand over his bruised lip, I chanted the simple spell. Followed by working on the rest, until he no longer had any. His ribs however will take some time. I could only do so much. "There, he should be good as new. His ribs will take some time." The problem with that was, that should they return he was practically laid out for them.

Runespoor slithered off my neck and onto Sirius.

'What are you doing?'

'Helping.' The first head replied.

Before I could react all three heads bit Sirius on the arm. "What the hell are you doing?!" I grabbed him, twirling him around my arm and yanking him off. "Let go!" Tossing the snake across the room, I grabbed Sirius's arm trying to come up with a way to stop the venom from spreading. "Hermione, help me!" The witch was just as clueless as me.

'Quite the whining.' The second head hissed.

"You killed my husband!" I yelled.

Once more the snake slithered up to my neck, settling by my ear. 'We helped him.'

"By biting him!"

'Our venom is healing him.' The third head hissed. 'Our venom can be both beneficial and deadly.'

'We control it.' First head added. 'He will not be harmed.'

Middle head stretched out, turning to gaze into my eyes. 'We owe you our freedom. Killing your husband is not in our plans.'

Staring into his eyes, I began to relax. 'Forgive me.' Glancing down again at Sirius, I noticed his body relax as well. Whatever was causing him discomfort no longer there. 'You caught me off guard.' I ran my hand over his head, feeling the spiked-up skin. 'Did I hurt you?' All three heads shook their heads. 'Thank you.'

"So?!" Harry stood in front of Sirius, his wand aimed at both me and the snake.

Moving Runespoor from his line of fire, I raised my hand to stop Harry. "It's fine, Sirius is fine. Put the wand down."

"He bit him!" Harry yelled.

'Does this boy never not yell?' The snake hissed.

I gave him a shrug. 'Shut up.'

"Harry look." Hermione whispered.

We all turned to the couch as Sirius began to squirm. I placed the snake down on the ground, kneeling beside Sirius. "Sirius?" Seeing his eyes flutter open, I ran my hand through his hair coaxing him. "Hey."

"Athena?" His voice came out raspy.

"Yeah. You had me scared for a bit there." Not caring for the others, I leaned in for a quick kiss. "Can you sit up?"

"W-What are you doing here?" Pushing himself up in a sitting position, he runs a hand down his face. "What happened?"

"You got your butt kicked." I grabbed the glass of water Hermione handed me. "Well, both you and Remus."

"They had everything in their favor." Sirius gave me a look, taking the glass. "They ambushed me. Not the fairest of fights."

"How do you feel?" I asked.

Sirius groaned, laying his head back. "Not so bad actually. Tonks?"

"No, part of it was me, the other was Runespoor." I stopped him before any more questions could leave his mouth. No need in him knowing I allowed him to get bit. I wouldn't hear the end of it. "Sirius do you know how they got in here?"

Sirius shook his head. "No idea."

"Where is black?"

"He is probably hiding somewhere. I heard him howling." Pushing himself off the couch, he groaned softly. "How did you know?"

"I got a letter letting me know you were hurt." I replied. "I don't know who sent it, but I am guessing it was Remus."

"Sirius, why did they attack." Harry asked. "Why risk getting caught by the order?"

"They are showboating their power." Sirius growled. "They are getting stronger. Which means Voldemort is getting stronger."

We all knew this was going to happen, but this was a whole new level. "We are running out of time."

Time jump:

I had decided to leave Gryffindor with Sirius. That man was a walking disaster and Runespoor wasn't meant to be protecting him. I have to admit it felt weird not having any of my wolves with me, but I can make due. Plus, with the way things were going, I didn't want to risk having them taken from me. Harry and the others were quick to sneak back into their dorms, while I headed to Dumbledore's office. Walking up to the eagle statue I waited for the stairs to be revealed. Pushing the door open, I popped my head in scanning the office. I spotted Fawkes perched on his stand, watching me curiously.

"Athena?" Dumbledore appeared in front of me, opening the door wider. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"I should yes professor, but I needed to speak with you." Getting the come-in gesture, I walked in. "It's about Professor Snape."

"Severus?" He hummed, making his way to his desk. "I take it this is about the fact he is your father."

I looked up at him, confusion evident on my face. "You knew?"

"I did."

"What?!" I jumped forward, slamming my palms on his desk. "You knew?! How long?!"

The wizard simply leaned back in his chair, unbothered by my little outburst. "He told me the moment he found out."

"I can't believe this. Seemed everyone knew, but me." I sighed. "I suppose I should just let it go. No reason to keep dwelling in the past."

"Athena, please sit." He waited until I did so. "The year you were born was the not best for Severus and us. He did what he thought was best. For you."

"Sure." I scoffed, crossing my arms. Right like handing me on a gold platter to Voldemort himself. "I wish not to speak of that anymore professor. I also came to inform you that, Sirius and Professor Lupin were attacked today."

"Yes, I know." He sighed, picking up a letter from his desk. "I got a letter from Remus just now explaining what had happened. It seems they are getting bolder."

"They are trying to weaken us." I mumbled. "Getting rid of those they consider a greater threat."

"Perhaps." He leaned back in his chair, mauling over his thoughts. "But, why Remus and Sirius? There are much easier targets than those two."

"Yes, but they are also two of your strongest professor." I stated. "Sirius is a strong wizard. Remus is too, but he is also a werewolf. And although many see that as a curse, including Remus himself, others see him as a threat. You remove the both of them, you now have an easy picking to the rest of the order."

Dumbledore stared at me. His eyes boring into mine. "You are quite inquisitive aren't you." He chuckled at the slight scoff. "But, you might be onto something. I take it he was not left unattended?"

I shook my head, my mind wandering back to the argument I had with him earlier.

Flashback:

"Athena I don't need protection." Sirius whined. "Much less from a dog and snake."

"Sirius, you were ambushed in our home." I repeated for the hundredth time. "What's to say they won't come back? Catch you sleeping."

Sirius reached for my hand, pulling me in closer to him. "They won't. I will put an extra spell on the house. You don't need to worry about me."

"That's where you are wrong." I whispered. "I will always be worrying about you."

Sirius chuckled, pulling me into his arms. "This was the last thing on my mind when I was told I would marry you."

"You and me both." If only he knew the horrible things Hermione and I had thought about doing. "But you are still keeping Gryffindor and putting that spell on the house."

"Athena." Sirius sighed. "Take the wolf with you."

"No."

"I don't want him here!" Sirius yelled.

Of course, my ass was already heading out the door. "What's that darling? Can't hear you!"

"Athena Black!"

End of flashback:

"I left Gryffindor with him. He was also going to strengthen the spell around the place." I replied, after noticing Dumbledore was still awaiting my response.

Dumbledore muttered a 'good, good.' Under his breath. "I assume you also left the Runespoor with him."

I paled at the mention of the snake. "T-the-the Runespoor professor?" He raised a brow, daring me to deny the assumption. "Yes sir."

"We will speak about that later Athena." He said in his utmost serious voice. "But right now you need to go to bed. You have classes tomorrow."

"Yes, professor." Bidding him goodnight, I left the office. No need to ask how he knew about the snake. That wizard had ears all over Hogwarts. I was about halfway to my dorm when a dark shadow appeared before me. "What th-" My eyes trailed up the figure and into dark brown eyes, but with the lack of light they appeared midnight black. "Professor."

"Athena, what are you doing out wandering the hallways at this time?" He asked.

Funny how quickly things change. His once soothing and calm voice now gave me chills and not the good kind. "I wasn't wondering. I needed to speak with the headmaster, I am now on my way back to my dorm. Excuse me." Brushing past him, I growled at his hand clamping down on my arm. "Sir."

"Will you quit running away from me." Snape hissed.

Snatching my arm out of his grip, I stepped away from him. "I am not the one that runs away sir. Besides, there is nothing we need to speak of. And I need to get back to my dorm, Headmasters orders." Once again Severus prevented me from leaving. "Can you quit with the grabbing?"

Snape sighed, holding his hands up. "Forgive me, but I need to speak with you."

"What?" He clearly wasn't letting me leave until he said his piece. "Say what you need to say, so I can finally go to bed."

"I'm sorry." Snape whispered.

I stared at him for a moment, allowing those two small words to sink in. To say sorry to me would be like covering a bullet hole with a band-aid. Breaking me, yet expecting everything to be fixed with that simple word. "Okay."

Snape raised a brow, repeating the word 'okay' slowly. "That's it? Just okay?"

"These days the word sorry is so meaningless and overused. Saying sorry doesn't fix the heartbreak you have caused, the added fear and worry to someone. Sorry is just a word." I stepped back as he took one towards me. "Don't. There is nothing you can say or do."

"There has to be something, Athena." Snape whispered. "I regret the words I spoke to you. I didn't mean any of them."

I had to laugh. "You sure as hell spoke them like you did."

"Alright, alright." He rose his hands, gesturing he had enough. "I tried to apologize, but it appears you are not in the listening mood as always. Maybe another time." Just as I was turning to leave, he had to re-open his mouth. "How is Black doing?"

"What?"

"Black, how is he doing?"

"He is fine." I muttered, my back still turned to him.

Snape hummed. "I take it he wasn't badly hurt from the altercation?"

I froze, not daring to speak. My knuckles were white from clenching my fist too hard. I swung around, narrowing my eyes at him. "How did you know?"

"Excuse me?"

"How did you know about the attack?" My voice was strained.

"Dumbledore informed me." He replied.

I wasn't buying that bullshit. "Professor Dumbledore didn't know about it until a few moments ago. Just before I arrived actually." Taking a step closer to him, I stood just about two feet from him. "How did you know?"

"Athena-"

"How?!" I yelled. "What di-" Then it clicked. "You sent the letter."

He hesitated for a second, before answering. "Yes."

"The house is protected against intruders, but-" I glared up at him, realization coming to me. "You let them in! You allowed them to ambush and harm my husband!" Burning Rage hissed through my body like a deathly poison, screeching a demanded release in the form of unwanted violence.

'Do it.' The voice came back hissing loudly. 'Now is your chance.'

"No." I growled, clenching my jaw tightly. "How could you?!"

"Athena, you need to understand." Snape spoke. "There are things that cannot be stopped."

'He is lying, he wanted this to happen.'

"Shut up." The wrath consumed me, engulfing my moralities and destroying the boundaries of loyalty. "They almost killed him! You nearly got him killed!"

"I wasn't going to let that happen!" Snape yelled back.

'Lies.'

I scoffed. "I am supposed to believe that?"

'There is no one here. Do it and leave. He brought harm to the one you love.'

"Yes!" He snapped. "You must believe me I-"

"Enough!" My voice echoed through the hallway, putting a stop to both of them. "In the last two months or so, you have kicked me down so many times, I have lost count. My mother raised me in love and peace, taught me to show grace and forgiveness, but when my mind turns to you none of it is there. You knew what you were doing. I suffered and you drank it like a fine wine, becoming intoxicated on your own power. All I feel is bitterness and with each passing day it grows, pushing on the side of that was serene." This bitterness of mine was enveloping me in toxic darkness, slipping from my control by the second. "You once came to me and asked me to stay away from. That things would be different between us."

Snape nodded. "I remember."

"Well, it is I that is asking this of you now." I couldn't take it anymore. I felt as if I was going insane. I needed room. "I am nothing, but another student to you. That's it."

"Athena, you can't ask th-"

"Athena?"

I twirled around to find professor McGonagall standing behind me. "Professor."

"What is going on here? I can hear your yelling all the way down to the dorms."

Her and her cat hearing. "Forgive me, professor. I was just heading back to my dorm when Professor Snape appeared."

"Severus?" She raised a brow, giving him a look, I couldn't quite catch. "Go back to your dorm Black."

Without being told twice, I brushed past her and bolted down the corridor. 'Did she just call me Black?'

Walking into the common room, I was grateful to find it empty. Then again it was well past 1 am. Taking a seat on the couch, I exhaled slowly. One day, just one day where I can have a normal school day. No drama. No scares. Just school and boredom. Pulling my wand out, I flickered it towards the chimney, igniting the fire once more. Turning my head to the left lazily, I reached for the bag of sweets. The moment I opened the bag and the smell hit my nose, I was running to the nearest trash can.

Spilling everything in my stomach out into the can, I fell on my ass with a groan. "Ugh, that's gross." Tying the trash bag, I tossed it into a larger bin. I just needed to get to bed, my body has had enough.

Time jump:

The next morning, Hermione and I made our way down for breakfast. I still felt uneasy. Something was off with me. I suppose yesterday had taken a real tow on me. Nothing a little bit of breakfast can't cure.

"You alright?" Hermione whispered, leaning closer into me.

I frowned, giving her a playful shove. "Yeah, why?"

"You look horrible." She placed her hand on my forehead. "You don't have a fever."

"I am fine Hermione. Just tired is all." Shooing her hand away, we took a seat across from Harry and Ron. Harry spoke quietly about the next training session, passing notes back and forth between us. Ron was currently stuffing his mouth with eggs. Just seeing him chew with his mouth open, had my stomach doing summersaults. "Oh god, not again." Jumping up from my seat, I took off running towards the restroom, shoving a few people out of my way. Busting into the stall, I closed the door behind me and let it go.

"Athena?!" Hermione was heard running a few seconds after me. "Hey! You in here?"

Spitting into the toilet, I leaned against the stall door. "Yeah."

"Open the door." She tugged at the door, causing the entire thing to rattle. "Athena."

"Hold your dragons." Reaching up over my head, I unlocked the door. Feeling my back support disappear, I fell backward with a loud yelp. "Crap!"

"Athena!" Hermione kneeled beside me, helping me to sit up. "You okay?"

"Yeah, probably shouldn't have leaned against the door." I grumbled, soothing the already forming bump on my head.

"You think?" Hermione scoffed. "I heard you vomiting, what's that about?"

I shrugged. "I suppose I have the stomach flu."

"First time?" She asked, I shook my head. "When did it start?"

"I threw up yesterday before bed." Grabbing a tissue, I made sure all evidence was gone. Hermione shook her head, helping me up off the ground. Making my way to the sink, I turned the faucet on glancing at my pale self in the mirror. "Damn, I do look horrible." Cupping my hands to form a cup, I rinsed my mouth out. "I need to get some mints."

"I am taking you to the hospital wing."

"Hermione I'm fine. Nothing a simple potion can't fix." Yet she hooked her arm into mine and dragged me out of the restroom.

"Well, I am sure the nurse will have that potion." She walked down the hallway, moving anyone that stood in our way.

"Hey, you alright?" Harry appeared on my right side, Ron by his side. "You left pretty quickly."

"I have a bit of the stomach flu."

"We don't know that." Hermione jumped in. "I am taking her to the hospital wing to ensure she is fine."

Being dragged through the door and tossed into one of the beds, Hermione ordered Ron to watch me as she went for nurse Pomfrey. I can take on anything you throw at me, but Hermione was one of the few I didn't dare to go against. Shortly she came back with nurse Pomfrey, explaining what was going on with me. Yet the lady didn't bother to ask me, who was actually experiencing the symptoms.

"So, you have the stomach flu?" She asked, her hands pressing against my stomach. "Is throwing up the only symptom?"

"Yes ma'am." I refrained from flinching at the coldness of her hands.

She humph, mumbling to herself as she strolled away. "Drink this." She handed me a green mustard-looking liquid. "It will stop the nauseous."

Grabbing the vial, I took it in one swing. But to our shock, the liquid didn't make it past my lips as it spilled down my chin. Almost as if it had hit a barrier. "Was that suppose to happen?"

"What was that?" Hermione handed me a towel, taking the vial from my hand.

Nurse Pomfrey frowned grabbing her wand. "Stay still child." She placed it against my stomach, causing light to emerge from the end. After a few seconds of moving it around my stomach, we all froze at hearing a small drumming sound. "Oh, dear."

"What?" I was confused, looking from her to my abdomen. A large part of me knew, but there was that small part that needed confirmation.

"Everyone out!" She ushered everyone out of the room, ignoring the protest. Making sure they were indeed out of the room, she walked over back to me. Her gaze held both fear and excitement. "It appears you are with child."

I was sure my jaw had dropped and my eyes were bulged out. "Don't think I need that potion anymore." I inhaled wrapping my arms over my abdomen, exhaling slowly.