Author's note: Please be aware that I own ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, everything, except my character OC(S) I place here, belongs to the wonderful Lady J.K. Rowling. THIS IS A TRIAL RUN! I would very much like to hear your thoughts. I was originally never going to upload this fiction, however, I know it was something I was looking forward to sharing. This is a Sirius Black/OC, maybe Severus Snape/OC, Fanfiction. So, welcome back, readers! I hope you enjoy this one as much as you have the first 2 Harry Potter stories! :) Do enjoy, this is the Harry Potter era, so it's going to be a bit. Keep your heads up. Enjoy!

Updated: 12/22021

Chapter 8

Remus walked into the kitchen, his green eyes staring into her very being. He was making her rather uncomfortable. "James never had any cousins. I'd ask if you were Lily's relative, however, I also know Lily never had any magical relatives. She'd made that very clear," He stated, sitting down as she stood at the counter and sink, his eyes glancing at the glass of brandy in her hands. "So, who are you really, Sage." Remus questioned.

It was not a question, and she knew better than to even try to lie to him. Ted Lupin's warning was clear, do not cross his father, especially with a lie, he'd sniff it out then devour you like you were a fluffy bunny during rabbit season. Smirking her smirk, she reached into a cupboard and grabbed him a glass then poured him a glass of brandy.

Remus couldn't help but eye her backside in her dress. Where her chest may have been small, her figure curved down to her hips and her backside, and he had to say her shape was lovely.

Taking a calming breath Sage sighed, "If you're going to stare at least comment so it isn't technically rude, Remus John Lupin." She commented with a soft huff.

Blushing a bit at being caught, Remus accepted the brandy with a thankful nod, "I apologies,"

Seeing his discomfort Sage's brow rose, "You haven't been with many women, have you?"

"No, have you been with many men?" He questioned. Even as rude as it may have been it had set them both on equal grounds.

Lightly laughing at his words, she shook her head, "No, I just know what it feels like to have my backside stared at."

"Sorry, but you still haven't answered me… Who are you." He'd gone right back to the original question that had started this conversation.

'Damn,'

"I am a friend, and even though I know I should tell you, that is not going to happen. I've already told Albus and he knows that I can be trusted. My priority is the survival of Harry Potter, and now that of Draco Malfoy." She said sharing an equally determined stair to Lupin as she took another drink of her Brandy.

Softly chuckling at her, Remus nodded, "You're not James Potter's cousin," Remus stated in a matter-of-fact manner. He had yet to take a drink of the brandy she'd given him.

Knowing she could at least give him that answer she debated on if she even should. "…No, I'm not James Potter's cousin, those are the files and the identity Albus Dumbledore gave me." She said with a slightly uncomfortable sigh.

Nodding, Remus finally took a big drink of his Brandy and took a seat, "Why were you chasing after me?" He asked her curiously.

Sighing, she felt she could relax a bit. Rolling her neck from the stiffness she'd had for hours and sighed once again as her muscles and neck bones cracked with the release of the tension, " I was not chasing you until you ran from me. But, Albus was worried, you hadn't answered his letters, so, he sent me." She answered casually.

"I've had other things to worry about," Remus answered with a sigh, but the letter and his file she dropped in front of him had him filled with shock. He hadn't even heard her walk to get anything.

"The letter is for you, and your file… was rather interesting." She told him.

"He… Albus showed you my file?" He asked feeling a bit violated.

Nodding, Sage took her seat once more, sipping on the glass of wine. "He did, but only because he knew I'd never blackmail you into saying yes to whatever he's been asking you in his letters." She answered casually. "I assume he's been trying to see if you'd like the position of Defense against the Dark Arts. And from your file history and the grades you had in school, even the set of skills you still display in your odd, and truthfully rather random jobs you've had over the last twelve years, I'd say you still have the skill set." She complimented.

Sighing as he took the time to read Albus's letter, he folded the letter and set it onto his file, "I'll take the job." He answered.

"Well then, we should let Albus know in the morning. The school year will be starting soon, and you'll need to prepare for that."

"Only because James' son is there. I haven't seen Harry since he was babe, I'd like to know him. To teach him."

Smiling she slid the signed papers across the table in front of Remus, "You'll get to do that soon enough Lupin… Albus had me identified as James' cousin for a reason, it was not random."

His green eyes shot to her blue eyes shining with glee. "When are you getting him?"

"Tomorrow morning, you're welcome to come, I'll be bringing Draco as well, I can't leave him here all himself after all."

Smiling at her invitation Remus nodded. Standing from the chair he stretched a bit, "We should get some rest then. It's a drive to Petunia's." He said before covering his mouth to yawn.

"Goodnight, Remus Lupin."

He couldn't help but smile back at her. "I'll see you in the morning then?" He asked. Heading back towards the stairs, he was curious why she wasn't on her way up to sleep. "Yes, I'll see you and Draco in the morning." She nodded. Grabbing her glass of brandy, she headed for her Study.

At this, Remus walked after her, "You know, sleep is usually required for a good morning." Remus spoke softly, poking some fun at her.

"Yes, but if I don't write Albus your response now I won't do it tomorrow," She answered as she set up her paper, quill, and ink jar to write the Professor. Sighing at herself softly with slight exhaustion as she wrote Albus a short, sweet, and simple cut letter of Remus agreeing to take the job, whatever it was, then cleaned up after herself and sent the letter out with a lovely messenger Owl she kept. "Bed, you are still injured."

"You know what I am, Sage, the full moon -"

"Is over until the end of this month. You'll be fine. To bed." She gently ordered.

Unable to help the grin, Remus moved aside from the door and let her out from her study. Both walked up to their rooms. He watched as she peeped into Draco's for a moment and silently closed the door. "How is he?" He asked.

"As good as he can be, but tonight he sleeps. Goodnight, Lupin."

"Moony." He gently corrected. Smirking at her confused expression he tried not to laugh at her reaction. "You can call me Moony. It's what some friends call me. Or at least the friends I used to have. Suppose I just miss hearing it." He admitted a bit bashfully.

Nodding in slight understanding she smiled, "Kit, that's what mine used to call me on the good days."

Raising his brow with curiosity, "And on bad days?" He asked.

"It was either Sage or Elizabeth. Nesryn used to call me Libby when we were younger, I have no clue where she got it from, but it worked for me… when I was six… now it's just annoying." She'd just ambled, and from that small ramble, Remus Lupin had learned a few more things about her.

"So, when did you attend Hogwarts again?" He asked, trying to gather more information.

Smirking at his attempt, Sage opened her door, "Goodnight Remus." And with that, her door closed, and his question was left unanswered. Remus smirked the rest of the night.

The morning came sooner than they had thought. Draco had fallen back asleep in the back seat of the vehicle as they drove early that morning to gather Harry. They hadn't arrived at Private Drive until late afternoon and they could already hear Vernon on a mid-day rant. Rolling the window's down for Draco to have air, Sage stepped out of the car, "Draco, wait in the car, roll the back windows down if you need more air. Remus, stay with him, I don't need someone coming around and trying to bother the boy."

A bit worried as his eyes glance back and forth between her and the door, "Are you sure?" he knew from experience that Petunia and Vernon were right pieces of work.

"Very, I won't be long, promise." She sighed, patting the top of the car gently she walked to the door and knocked. Haring Vernon shout incoherently as he swung the door open. "And what on earth do you want!" He snapped rudely. He had no idea who this woman was, but as he took in her dark blue silk dress, the deep dip of the front, the overcoat clasping with fabric knots down to her stomach and flowing out with the skirt of the dress had him dumbstruck. She was one of them, the freaks, like his sister-in-law and his nephew. But as soon as he re-inspected her, Vernon's body instantly grew cold, his eyes wide with fright. Her bright blue eyes frightened him. They were like cold daggers piercing him.

"Vernon, what on earth is it?" An irritated woman huffed angrily, storming from the kitchen. But her steps slowed to a slow walk. All she saw was red hair. Deep red, straight hair. "Dear God," She softly whispered. But who she thought she'd see was not there, her heart dropped as the woman's face came into view. Instead of meeting green eyes, she found bright blue staring into her husband, then turned to her.

"Vernon and Petunia Dursley?"

Shocked at her directness, they both gulped, "Y-Yes?" Both of them stuttered in unison. They had no idea what this was about. They'd shied away from her slightly as she held out some papers to them. As they looked at the forms, their eyes bugged wide. They were custody release papers, "Wh-what is this?" Petunia snapped with confusion. Her chest rising and falling with deep and frightful breaths. Snatching the papers from the redhead she read them. Her body slid to the side of the door, her back resting against the wall. "Release papers of Harry James Potter into the care of… this isn't… no, this is wrong, the name… It's… Vernon, J-James never … he didn't. James never had a sister!" Petunia snapped, coming full circle and getting into the redhead's face. "Sage Potter, that's what the papers say… James never had a sister! You can't-"

"I assure you, the name on those papers is correct. My name is Sage Elizabeth Potter. No, I am not James Potter's sister, but I am his cousin, I was too young to take Harry when his parents were killed." She explained. Watching as Petunia stared at her with watering eyes. "I've read your file, Petunia. You and your husband kept Harry safe for twelve years because of your non-magical means, now it's time he's in the care of someone with magical means. Now he requires magical protection. Protection you cannot give him." She whispered softly to the woman. From the display the woman was giving told her everything she needed, more so the magical glimmer she saw glaze over Petunia's eyes, this had Sage's brow-raising, but she said nothing. She was shocked when she walked back inside her home, papers in hand heading to the kitchen, and walked back to her minutes later, handing her husband the forms to sign as well as a pen, "Sign it… Vernon, sign the papers." Petunia said softly, watching her husband rest the papers against the wall and signed next to his wife's.

"Harry!" She shouted up the stairs.

"Yes, Aunt Petunia?" Harry called with the sound of boredom.

"Come here!" She called, trying to sound angry and stern. But she had failed. Holding her hand open to her husband he handed her the keys slowly with confusion as she walked to the cupboard door under the staircase and unlock the padlock as Harry walked down the stairs.

Freezing as he looked up after getting to the third to last stair Harry froze as he looked at the redhead, "Sage?"

Smiling at seeing how tall he'd gotten, Sage wanted to cry. One summer and he had gone from four feet tall to almost five feet, "Sorry it took me so long to come to get you." She smiled.

Smiling wide with excitement he rushed into her arms, hugging her tightly. "What are you doing here?"

"She's taking you with her, pack your things, Potter. I don't want anything left here." Petunia said. Her teeth clenched tightly closed, trying not to cry.

Turning to his cousin with a bright smile, Harry rushed with a jump in his feet as he rushed around getting his things from the cupboard then up to his room, throwing things into his trunk as quickly as he could. Double checking that he hadn't forgotten anything, Harry gathered the remainder of his things from the hidden floorboards and put them away in his truck before he rushed back down the stairs. Looking to his Aunt, Harry smiled, "Nothing's left." He informed her. Waiting for her nod he walked out past Sage and towards the vehicle.

Seeing Harry coming out to the car, Remus got out and opened the trunk of the car and helped him, "I got this, go ahead and get in the car,"

"Who are you?" Harry asked curiously.

Smiling, Remus nodded as he took the boy's trunk and a bag or two from him and off his shoulders, "I'm a friend."

Nodding to Petunia, Sage turned to go back to the vehicle, before she was stopped by Petunia's question, "He'll be alright, yes? He'll be safe?" She asked.

Nodding, Sage smiled softly, "Of course."

"You swear?" Petunia was demanding to know she was doing the right thing. But she had wanted this for years, for someone, anyone, to come and just take him! But now, as she had signed those papers, she could swear she felt Lily watching over her shoulder. Petunia had signed those papers, had signed her Guardianship over her nephew, over to a woman she did not know anything about except that Sage was claiming to be James Potter's cousin and was clearly a witch. Nodding to the redhead she allowed them to drive away with her nephew, a smile wide on his face. She had made that boy's life miserable. Now she was miserable as she closed the door. She hadn't said goodbye, she hadn't hugged him, hadn't told him she was sorry. She hadn't said anything except to not leave a single thing of his in her home. And apparently, he hadn't.

"Draco? Are you alright?" Harry asked the sulking boy as he rested his head against the window staring out the car as they headed back to the cottage. "I'll tell you later," Draco muttered sadly.

Nodding, and clearly seeing something was bothering Draco, Harry left it alone for the time as they drove.

"There's some pie at the cottage Minerva brought last night, what would you boys like for a late lunch?" Sage told them with a smile.

"I have no idea actually," Harry said with a happy smile. He was no longer with the Dursley. He would be with family.

"Whatever you want to cook Auntie," Draco muttered, his gaze still on the sites moving by as they drove.

Nodding as she looked into the rearview mirror, she softly sighed and glanced at Remus who simply shrugged. "I agree with the boys." He laughed a little and a small shrug.

Nodding with another small sigh, Sage got them home just as the sun was setting. "Alright, Harry go upstairs and find a room, Remus and I will get supper started," She suggested. Harry had rushed from the back seat and to the Trunk as it opened and grabbed his Trunk and bags, he walked inside the backdoor into the kitchen. It was a decent size, a large farm sink under a window overlooking the backyard of the woods they'd driven through, a wide walk through that walked into a short hall, off to the right was a decent-sized living room, to the left a small library. Continuing down he saw a half-opened door, looking inside he saw the small but comfortable study. Walking farther down, what he'd likely think would be the front door, a light wood staircase walking up towards the rooms. This place may look small on the outside, but the way it was built, it was still amazing and larger than he'd expected.

"There's a staircase back in the kitchen also. This is the front end. The back end is the Kitchen." Draco said softly, walking up the stairs.

Following up after the blond Harry sighed with curiosity and worry. "Draco, what happened?"

"My mother dumped me here because my half-brother tried to kill me," He said blankly.

Shaking his head, Harry set his Trunk at the top of the stairs and stopped him from hiding in what he'd assumed was Draco's room, "Wait, did you say brother? And he tried to kill you?" Harry asked with shock.

Pulling his arm free from Harry's hold Draco sighed roughly, "Yes, three nights after he got to our home Dagny tried burning me alive in my room as I slept." Draco snapped.

"Okay, so. Let me get this right… You have a half-brother?" Harry's brain was not reading catching up with him, Draco was supposed to be the only Malfoy son.

Sighing with slight irritation, Draco grabbed Harry's Trunk and walked the belongings to the room across from his then pulled Harry into the newly claimed room and shut the door. "My father has had a mistress on the side of my mother for years, even before his and my mother's marriage, Dagny, my half-brother, was born three days before me. So, I am now the youngest Malfoy. Dagny tried burning me alive the night after I asked him what happened to his mother. He claimed her death was his fault and something snapped in his mind. I told my father, but he silenced me and sent me to bed early. I later woke up to fire in my room, I couldn't have even jumped out the window with my Nimbus to get me out of there!" Draco ranted, and Harry allowed him. After the events the Malfoy boy had suffered, Harry knew he deserved this rant. But as the blond continued about this new family arrival what shocked him most was the news of how Dagny had admitted to his mother's death.

"But it was an accident," Harry stated. The fire hadn't been the boy's fault.

"Yes, but the kid went out of his mind after I tried telling him that, as soon as he met my mother, he began to cling to her! She's my mother! I wouldn't have minded if she helped raise him, but as soon as he admitted to his mother's death, he started acting strange, gave me a sort of look that didn't sit well with me. As I said, I shared my concerns with my father, I couldn't get near my mother, Dagny wouldn't leave her side."

"So, you think Dagny has targeted your mother?" Harry was worried, was Draco saying his mother was the one in danger?!

Shaking his head Draco sighed, "No, no she's safer with Dagny, I was the one that was targeted. He targeted me because I was a threat, I am her son like he was his mother's and our father's son."

"He wants his mother back. And with you out of the way, he can have that." Harry said, finally catching on.

Nodding to this conclusion that Harry was just not grasping Draco sighed, sitting on the bed next to Harry, his head hung low, "Yes, in any kind of motherly figure he can get. Even if it meant killing the child of that mother, for him to take that child's place." Draco explained.

"But that's completely mad! Draco, your mother would never replace you!" Harry clarified.

"Exactly why my mother brought me to Aunt Sage," Draco said.

"Why call her Aunt?" Harry asked questionably with curiosity. He'd caught the Malfoy boy calling his cousin 'Aunt' in the car ride back here.

Sighing, Draco tossed himself back into the mattress, "Because, even though we are not blood-related, she still took me in, signed the papers. She is my temporary guardian until my mother can come to get me for a safe environment. She wanted me safe, Sage, even though they'd only met once before Christmas, was the only one my mother trusted with me." Draco explained.

"And why's that?" Harry asked. He was still curious as to why Draco's mother was so easily truthful towards his father's cousin.

Sighing, Draco cracked his neck, "Because she knows, somehow, that Sage will not let my father near me, least of all Dagny."

"Yeah, but Draco, what could she do at Hogwarts, what if Dagny is placed in Slytherin?" He asked. It was just a thought.

Shrugging, Draco groaned and delayed back into the mattress looking up to the ceiling. "I don't know, I guess I'll figure it out then." Draco sighed.

The two hadn't realized they'd been talking for as long as they had until Remus came knocking on Harry's door, "Ah, there you two are. Supper's ready." Remus informed them and held the door open for them both and walked down behind them.

The days moved forward, easier. It was easiest for Draco since he had Harry from then on. Apparently, Remus had been asked to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, this was great, it was amazing for Remus, but the boys didn't know why he hadn't been the Professor beforehand and neither adults were going to explain why, because of his condition the boys did not need to know of his illness because of some deranged were-wolf. But Sage had other things to worry about. The end of July came with just more than just a celebration. The full moon was on its way.

July 25th, 1993

"How are we going to do this," She asked him. The boys were up in their rooms doing summer homework, so she knew they'd be safe.

"Put a charm around the house so I can't get in, we'll have to do this every night. I'll change in the forest -"

"I'm going with you-"

"No!" He quickly snapped. He was not going to hurt her. However, his eyes watched her body shift instantly at his snap now seeing the small fox before him at his feet. Snow-white fur and bright, shining blue eyes. Kneeling before her he couldn't help but be slightly mesmerized, never had he seen a Fox Animagus. "I could still hurt you." He whispered. She was so tiny, her short, little paws, her small body. Her ears were tall, and her tail was longer than her body. As he knelt before her, he hadn't expected her to shift back, kneeling before him herself, leveling them both at eye level.

"I've been attacked by werewolves before, Remus, and they'd tried killing me, as long as you take your potion you can control yourself."

"That potion only gives me so much control, Sage, and I do not have those potions now, I couldn't afford it," Remus warned.

Smiling, she sighed and gently shook her head at him, "Such little faith, Remus. I happen to have those potions. And I've fought up against a werewolf with no control. You have nothing to worry about. I know exactly what I'm getting into and you are not doing this alone. The last time I watched someone go through this alone, it nearly killed him." She said softly, walking out the back door, waiting for Remus to follow suit.

Reluctantly Remus walked out after her as she tossed a small vile of potions towards him. He caught it with surprise before downing the potions, "Is there anything I could say that would change your mind?"

"No," Sage simply said, waving her wand a few times at the cottage and the door softly closed and a barrier illuminated around the brick home. Locking it from the inside out. The boys wouldn't be able to leave and no one could get in. It had been a precaution spell the Order had created when Voldemort had begun ransacking homes.

They walked out farther into the woods around them she sighed softly at the safe amount of distance they had between them and the cottage. Until she heard the painful pants, grunts, and groans from Remus, then a nasty snap and rip of his clothes. "Shit, Remus?"

He'd tried speaking to her, but the pain sent him to his hands and knees, hunching his back as he shifted. "Shit," Knowing better than to let his wolfish nature see her shift into her Fox, she quickly relaxed her body and forced her shift. Unfortunately, she had to huff with annoyance at the dress she was sitting in. 'Damn,' the sudden whining whimpering of a canine came to her large ears, drawing her attention to Remus as she sat before him, her back straight and in no means looking weak or threatening. Her tall ears were perked with curiosity and her small head tilled, ever so slightly to the side as she looked at the now werewolf before her. Letting him slightly crawl the short distance between them and sniff around her, she couldn't help the chill that went up her spine as he ran his cold nose against her back and up to her neck, but the playful shove he had given her, making her land in the dirt rather ungracefully and looking a bit shocked as he huffed at her.

"Tension does not suit you… Foxy," He poked playfully at her. Shocked at the animal communication that had just been made, she squirmed back to her feet and looked at him with shock. She'd never heard of a werewolf communicating with any other animal other than its own species!

"I figured out how to communicate with other animals after James and the others turned into Animagi, they made these transformations bearable. Sufferable."

"And after you lost them you wanted no one there?" She asked with a curious whine.

Remus's wolf head nodded, his ears flattening against his head as he rested in the dirt of the woods. "I failed them. Sirius had them believing I was the traitor, it's the only thing I could have thought of as to why they never spoke to me about a safe house," He whined.

Unsure of what to say to comfort him, Sage sat in front of him and placed a soft, fluffy paw to his forehead as he lay in the dirt. "You're not alone now, Remus."

He couldn't help it, his tail moved all its own, swishing back and forth with happiness. Jumping from his spot in the dirt, he playfully nudged her, and snickered at her shocked expression then took off into the woods with her chasing after him.

They spent the rest of his transformations like that. Goofing off and having fun. The first Transformation Remus had had in years since his graduation with the rest of the Marauder's together. He'd laughed at Sage when she playfully scolded him for nicknaming her Foxy. "What, you don't like it?" He'd teased.

"I've heard it a few too many times," She informed him.

Nodding with understanding, Remus smiled. "Alright, how about Snow?" He asked.

Smiling at his attempt she nodded, accepting his attempt. "As long as it's not 'Foxy', I shall be alright. Can I ask you something?"

"Anything,"

"Why are you trying to find a nickname for me?" she asked with a wide, soft smile.

Shrugging, Remus sighed, "I guess because it's been a while since I've had a friend. And I feel if I am going to pass you off as James's cousin, that I might as well try to put a personal touch to your…. History." He informed her. "I figured out who you are, Sage McGonagall..." Remus confessed. But the fear that struck her had him curious. "I spoke to Albus" Remus explained.

"The day after we got Harry, you went to Hogwarts. So, he told you then?" She sighed, remembering he'd gone to see Albus. He must have questioned the Headmaster regarding her. If he could truly trust her.

"He told me what I needed to know. You suffered in your future. A future that is now gone. And apparently, so are the belongings you brought with you. I am sorry they have vanished. He also told me that you came back to safeguard Harry. James and Lily would have greatly appreciated that. I appreciate it." He said. "Anyways. Harry's birthday is tomorrow, we shall celebrate," He said calmly. Walking up to his room to rest. They had a big day to get ready for the next morning.

July 31rst, 1993

Harry's birthday was spent as his first Happy celebration. Hermione had come to visit, Minerva had come and helped Sage bake a cake and they had spent the day and half the night enjoying the celebration. Ron had, unfortunately, been unable to make the celebration since he and his family were in Egypt, but they had made plans to meet at the Leaky Cauldron a few days before school started.

Their first summer went well and Remus's transformations were bearable once more. However, August's transformation had been one of the bad times he'd have, even with his potion taken he'd still attacked himself. Sage, even as small as she was, had managed to pin him to the ground, and attempt to stop him from harming himself.

August 28th, 1993

The Leaky Cauldron

Sage sighed as they got into their rooms, the boys had agreed to share a room since there was a bed and a large sofa, they knew they had two places to sleep while Sage and Remus had gotten their rooms just down the hall from the boys. They'd been unable to hide their smiles as they watched Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Draco reunite after the long summer. Ron told them all about Egypt with excitement, showing them the newspaper clippings. Harry and Draco had been confused about going to the Leaky Cauldron a week early. They had no idea that their departure from the Cottage had been due to a rather late-night visit from an Auror. The news he'd informed them of still had Sage confused. But Remus had insisted they move the boys in the morning.

Previously – August 27th, 1993

"Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban,"

Remus wouldn't talk to her about it. The file was sealed, and she couldn't lay hands on it. All she had were words, stories told over the years, stories that were likely all lies. But even Severus was aggressive about it. She still remembered how Severus and Remus had almost attacked her in Albus's office when the Headmaster had sent word to her to please return to Hogwarts for a very important meeting.

"You never knew him, Sage! Lupin and I did! That man betrayed them, sent them all to their deaths! A coward because he couldn't face who he truly is! A dead man! A Traitor!" Snape had shouted at her.

"You weren't there Sev! How do you, or any of you, know that Sirius Black turned them over to Voldemort?!" She's snapped. Her arrival in Harry's second year had only changed History from that moment onward, it never changed the past before his birth. There was no way Sirius Black could have handed them over to Voldemort.

"You're not from the past, Sage! You are from 2295! The damned future! You don't know Sirius as we do!" Severus shouted with anger.

Sighing with growing defeat, Sage rubbed her face. She couldn't believe this. "Yes, I understand that Severus, and I am telling you that Sirius Black was a part of the Order that fought against Voldemort! He'd have died before he handed them over to him! He did die for that cause! Tortured to death because he refused -" She stopped in her shouting. Because if she continued with what she was about to say she really could tempt fate and change far more than she ever wanted to.

They were confused, she was about to reveille something that she knew she couldn't or shouldn't say. Not that Albus probably didn't know already, but it must have involved one of the other two men in his office with them.

Huffing, Sage rubbed her face clear of the aggravation, "Never mind. Believe what you want. But don't think for a moment that I will believe it also. I have no facts, only words, and suspicion from people who are accusing him! Did any of you even think to use Veritaserum on him?" She snapped. And she had a point to the last part. Why hadn't they? The answer had been simple. They didn't want to be wrong. They didn't want him to be right about his innocent he'd screamed about for years. Until he'd gone silent.

Sage had left Albus's office after that and gone back to the Leaky Cauldron. Remus had kept a close eye on her after that meeting. Constantly watching her from the corner of his eye. More curious about where she was off to. Even when she took the boys to get their school supplies.

**** I know, this and the last chapter have probably been boring, I apologize, but it's getting good I promise!