I am so sorry for taking so long to update but this is the longest chapter I've ever done so hopefully it will make up for it :)

On an island in the North Sea Sirius Black was resting underneath his small pitiful cot that was meant to be his bed while in his Animagus form. Rain was pelting the tall tower and harsh cold winds brought salt from the sea, but even that was not enough to keep the cries from the inmates quite. Sirius shivered when a Dementor passed his cell, he didn't know how much longer he could keep his sanity in this forsaken place. He didn't even know how he had lasted as long as he had. He couldn't help but give a small doggy grin thinking about what his two best friends would say; James would have said his skull was too thick for the Dementors to penetrate while Remus would have said something logical like he was sane only because he knew he was innocent and since that wasn't a happy memory the Dementors couldn't take it. Yeah they would have said things like that if James hadn't been betrayed by their friend and Remus actually thought he was innocent.

'Marlene would have believed me', Sirius thought closing his eyes tightly as if to keep out the pain losing his brief and small grin, 'she would have fought for me'. We would have taken Harry and raised him with Aurora. We would have been a family.

Aurora, just thinking about her made him whine in pain. His poor pup… how he wanted to hold her in his arms just one more time. Hearing footsteps coming Sirius crawled out from under the cot and changed back to a man just as a Ministry official stopped in front of his cell.

"Well it would seem you have mail Black," The Ministry official sneered, "Why anyone would want to write to you is a wonder."

Sirius didn't say anything as he picked up the letter from cold and damped floor where the Ministry goon had tossed it. In the ten years he had been in Azkaban he had never received a letter from anyone so why would Ted Tonks be writing to him now.

Opening the letter with dirty hands Sirius read,

Black,

I don't know if you deserve what l am about to give you, but as a father myself I will throw you a small bone. Your daughter has been found and will be going to Hogwarts this coming September. As it turns out she has been living in a Muggle orphanage and is going to be taken in by the Malfoy family. I will keep you informed as she goes through Hogwarts. Even you deserve this small mercy.

Ted Tonks

His baby, his pup… living with the Malfoy's for the next seven years, everything he did to protect her from the influence of those like his family, it was all for nothing. He had lost his daughter for nothing. "I'm so sorry." He whispered into the night as he clenched the letter to his chest and cried.

That same night in an old cottage nestled into a forest the night was warm and the sky was clear of any rain, everything was calm.

But the inhabitant of the cottage was anything but calm.

Remus Lupin was reading the want ads in The Daily Prophet with a glass of Fire whisky not far from his reach. He had gotten fired from yet another job the other day for missing to many day for his 'illness', and so he was repeating a process he has been doing on and off since he graduated Hogwarts.

He was tired of it… of all of it. His days were filled with working long hours at jobs that were far below his talents, drinking fire whisky, avoiding those few who remembered he was still alive, and turning into a monster every month. How he wished for the days when he had friends to make his never ending curse more bearable. James would strut around trying to live up an image only he cared about, and Sirius would go off to chase other animals in the forest, and Peter, poor peter, would just stay close and afraid something would eat him if he went too far ahead. But all three of them would play and watch over the wolf he would turn into during the full moon.

Thinking back Remus couldn't help but wince at all times something could have gone wrong while the four friends explored the Forbidden Forest. But he would give anything to have those simpler happier days back.

But he couldn't because he was the last Marauder left. James was dead and so was Peter and Sirius was in Azkaban Prison for killing them.

He still couldn't understand it, even after so long there so many unanswered questions. How could Sirius do what he did…how could he betray their friends, his family, and what did he do with Aurora?

No matter what anybody said or thought Sirius had loved his daughter, Remus knew that, but then he had thought Sirius would never betray his friends. Could he have been wrong, had Sirius only used Marlene and then Aurora as a cover while he spied for Lord Voldemort. But if he had then how long had he been a Death Eater for he had been with Marlene since the end of their fifth year.

Remus sighed tiredly… all these thoughts would drive him insane. He was mostly good at avoiding them but Aurora's birthday must have brought them up. She would be eleven if she was still alive, going to Hogwarts, so would Harry now that he thought of it. Would they be friends or even in the same house, would they cause mischief like their father's had while in Hogwarts? Remus couldn't help but smile at the thought of his cubs, but it fell as he thought of all the ways he had failed them. He couldn't take Harry because Albus had forbidden it saying he would be safer where he was, not that he ever told him where that was so he couldn't even see him. And Aurora, his goddaughter, he had searched for years for her without success. For all he knew Sirius could have done away with her.

A gentle tapping on the window broke him from his dazed glancing up he saw a familiar owl. What could the Tonks want at this hour? He hoped they weren't inviting him to another dinner; he hated seeing the pitying looks people would send him when he came around. Putting down the paper he had stopped reading long ago, Remus let the owl in and gave it an owl treat before taking the letter.

It read,

Dear Remus,

I hope this letter finds you well. Andromeda wants me to invite you to dinner but since I know you will find some way out of it do me a favor and stop by one day for a cup of tea to appease her. Now the reason I am writing to you is because I don't know if Dumbledore has already given you the news. It would seem that Aurora Black has been found living in a Muggle orphanage for the past ten years. Albus found her and was in the process of asking Andromeda and I if we would take her in when, and I still can't believe this, the Malfoy's came storming in with an official Ministry notice claiming that they have custody of her until the time she turns of age or becomes the head of one or both the Black and McKinnon house. I can't say I wanted the girl to live with us, but she most definitely shouldn't live with the Malfoy family. I suggest you speak with Albus if you wish to know more about the situation, I am sorry that after so long searching for the girl you still are not any closer to having her with you, but perhaps it is for the best. With a family like the one she has, she would have only have caused you more stress and that is the last thing you need my friend.

As always your friend,

Ted Tonks

By the time Remus finished reading the letter from his friend his eyes were auburn. How dare he suggest that he wouldn't want his cub with him, that his life would be better without her in it? His goddaughter belongs with him not the Malfoy's. If Marlene were still alive and knew Albus had let her daughter go with them without a fight she would have killed him.

In a fit of rage Remus ripped the letter into shreds before grabbing the bottle of Fire Whisky and taking a long drink.

This was all Sirius's fault.

Aurora was sitting on the front steps of the Orphanage bouncing her legs up and down in excitement. She had gotten a letter this morning from the Professor telling her to wait for him outside; he was going to take her to the family who had agreed to take her in.

She was finally going to leave this place!

For the past week all Aurora had been doing is worry that the Professor had realized he had made a mistake in wanting her to join the school and would leave her in this hell hole. She had felt relieved when the afternoon after she had first met the professor he had sent her some books to learn more about the Wizarding world and Hogwarts. Surly he wouldn't change his mind if he was sending her books to study, right? But the worry was still there under the excitement and wonder as she read the books learning about the world she was born into but was taken from.

That was another thing, what had happened to her parents? The professor had looked so sad when she had mentioned them that Aurora feared that the family she always dreamed would come for her was dead.

Aurora's heart threated to break at that thought so she pushed it away until the professor confirmed it.

Instead to distract herself from them she thought of books the professor sent her, Hogwarts a History and One Thousand and One Things a Muggle Born Needs to Know. She almost had a stoke when she saw an owl at her window with the books tied to its legs. Aurora could only giggle as she remembered the tongue (beak?) lashing she received from the bird for keeping it waiting so long at the window. After Aurora gave him some water and bread from the kitchen, the owl had been very kind and didn't mind answering any questioned she had about how the owl post worked or about how it was like to live in Hogwarts, after talking for hours Aurora had promised to stop by and visit him when she got to Hogwarts.

After that she immersed herself in the book trying to learn as much as she could, she knew she would stand out when she got to school since she didn't grow up in their world and she wanted to learn as much as she could.

It wasn't hard to lose herself in the books as she read about ghost, moving paintings, the four Hogwarts houses, and so much more. It was like a fairy tale. And she felt no need to spend time with Madam Hennery or the other children in the orphanage, it wasn't like she was going to miss them or they her. She packed the few things she had, a fairy tale book, her second hand clothes, and her baby blanket she had kept since forever, and waited anxiously for the professor to send for her. She wondered about the new family she was going to live with for the next seven years, she bet they would be wonderful.

"So for how long will you be gone this time? A month, a week, an hour?" A sneering voice broke Aurora out of her thoughts.

"Why will you miss me?" Aurora said rolling her eyes not even bothering to turn around to look at Jessie. He had been here since they were eight and he hadn't stop teasing and trying to find some way to hurt her since.

"Not bloody likely… I just want to know how long I will be free of you until your dragged back here crying. You know just like the last time." He said kicking the bag that held all her things.

"You know I think you have said the same thing with different variations every time I'm about to leave." Aurora sighed dramatically, "How sad is it that you can never come up with something new."

"Shut up!" Jessie yelled kicking her bag a few feet away from where she was sitting.

Aurora closed her eyes tightly trying to stay calm, she didn't want to lose control and get in trouble, not now when she was so close to leaving.

"Are you going to cry?" Jessie asked mockingly. "Crying like a baby how cu-" Jessie didn't finish because the moment Aurora opened her eyes a huge gust of wind came out of nowhere and blew him ten feet away to the side walk… to land in a heap at the professor's feet.

Aurora leaped to her feet her eyes watering the moment she saw the professor.

"Professor… I- I'm so so sorry. I didn't mean to- I swear I didn't mean to." Aurora cried trying to hide behind her long hair; she didn't see the amused twinkle in his blue eyes.

"It's quite alright dear; you are not the only one to lose control of their powers when provoked." The professor smiled gently taking out his wand and flicking it once at Jessie before putting it back. Aurora raised her head in time to see the professor step over Jessie and walk towards her.

"You-you're not mad?" Aurora asked meekly.

"No dear, I am not. Now are you all packed, we really must be going." The professor said gently.

"Yes professor!" Aurora smiled running over to where Jessie had kicked her bag before running back, her eye shining excitingly.

"Would you like to say goodbye to anyone before we leave, I doubt you will be returning."

'Oh I hope so.' Aurora thought with a smile before saying out loud, "No I already told Madam Hennery I was leaving today… and I have no friends to say goodbye to." She whispered the last part.

The professor paused for a moment before saying, "I understand… well come along now we have an hour before I must take you to meet your new guardian, and before I do there are some things we must discuss."

"What is it?" Aurora said nervously fidgeting with the strap of her pack.

Smiling gently the professor said, "Do not worry my dear, I simply wish to warn you about the world you are about to enter."

Even though the professor said not to worry Aurora couldn't help but to worry more, why would she need a warning before meeting her new guardians. "Alright." Aurora said as bravely as she could.

"Why don't we take a walk I always find walking a soothing activity to do when thinking, or in our case talking, about serious matters." The professor smiled his eyes twinkling merrily.

Aurora nodded smiling back before a groan made her look at Jessie who was still on the ground. Aurora tried, she really did, but she couldn't help the small giggle that left her at the sight of her torturer looking so miserable.

"Um… professor what about him?" Aurora asked still giggling.

The professor chuckled as well before saying, "He won't remember anything about what happened when he wakes up."

Aurora nodded understandingly but she couldn't help but to think it would have been nice for him to remember, 'so he could have something to remember me by' she thought with another small giggle.

And together she and Professor Dumbledore walked away from the place she had called home for so long.

"So what would you like to warn me about?" Aurora asked after she and the Professor had been walking for a while.

For the first time since he had come to pick her up the Professor sighed deeply and sadly. "Not so much a warning, my dear, but a letting you know the about our dark past. I know this is asking a lot from one as young as you, but please reframe from asking me questions until I finish, it will make everything much easier."

Nervously Aurora nodded her head in agreement while looking up at the professor as they continued walking.

After a brief pause the Professor began talking again, "Not that long ago war within the Wizarding World erupted. It was a war between those who believed that only pure blooded witches and wizards should be allowed to practice magic, and those who believed that all who possess magic have the right to use it with no prejudice, be they Muggle, Half-Bloods, or Pure Bloods. The one who led the 'Dark Side' as most call it, was a very powerful wizard by the name Voldemort, he gained many followers who were faithful to his cause; the fear reached the point that many were afraid to even speak Voldemort's name, A fear I am sadden to say still exists today. If not for brave Wizards and Witches who were willing to stand against him, Voldemort may have very well taken over the Wizarding world."

Aurora was in a stunned awe and after a moment she asked in a pained whisper, "Did my mom and dad die in the war?"

"Your mother, Marlene, was a very powerful witch, but sadly she fell to Voldemort's followers along with her bother, sister-in-law, and their children." The professor answered sadly placing a comfortingly hand on her shoulder when he saw the devastated look on her face.

"But, then what about my dad?" Aurora asked not really wanting the answer.

The professor closed his eyes briefly before turning away from Aurora and saying, "Your father fell victim to the dark side as well."

"So… so I'm all alone?" Aurora asked her voice weak from the tears that she was fighting.

"Alone? My dear, you are never alone. Those we love and love us in return never truly leave us." The professor said passionately.

"But I don't have any family left." She whispered brokenly.

"Of course you do," The professor said smiling brightly gaining some twinkle back in his eyes, "I will be taking you to stay with your aunt from your father's side. She is most excited to meet you."

"Really?!" Exclaimed Aurora brightly pushing her thoughts away from her dead parents, she couldn't afford to seem weak in front of the professor.

"Yes really," Laughed the professor.

"So can we go?" Aurora asked still smiling.

"As you wish my dear, just hold onto my arm tightly and don't let go no matter what." The professor said holding out his right arm witch Aurora quickly grabbed on to. Then the professor did a quick spin and Aurora felt as if she was being squeezed into a small tube. Even though it was most likely only a few seconds it felt like forever to Aurora before she fell to her knees gasping for breath.

Chuckling the professor asked, "Are you alright my dear?"

"Wh-what was that?" Aurora asked still gasping for breath.

"Apparition, you will learn this method in your sixth year of Hogwarts." He answered not bothering to hide his laughter when she groaned loudly. Aurora stood up shakily and looked around. They seemed to be in some kind of field.

"Where are we? My aunt can't live here can she?" Aurora asked uncertainty coloring her voice.

"No the Malfoy family lives am little ways away… but this is the closest their wards would let me come."

"Oh… ok" Aurora said not understanding what 'wards' were but trusting the Professor knew what he was doing. Together Aurora and the professor started walking down the field but Aurora couldn't help but become nervous with every step she took. So in a whispered voice she asked, "What are they like?"

The Professor hummed in thought before saying, "The Malfoy's are an old Pure-blooded family, who are very well off, and hold very strong opinions on certain matters. "

Aurora looked down before saying, "Certain matters like on Muggleborns?" She learned the term in One Thousand and One Things a Muggle Born Needs to Know, but until the professor told her about the war she hadn't really thought much about it.

"Yes, but don't let that discourage you. The Malfoy's are also cunning, they know how to get what they want, and they care about their family." The professor stopped walking and placed his hand on Aurora shoulder looking her in her eye, "learn from them what you need to know Aurora, reject everything you don't. Just because they are your family, don't follow their beliefs blindly."

"I understand." Aurora said, and she really did understand. Albus smiled gently before he continued walking.

By the time they reached a large and imposing gate Aurora felt a hundred times better, so when the gate opened Aurora didn't hesitate to take a step forward. The professor walked her all the way to the door chuckling when he saw the peacocks, and when they reached the front door he asked her, "are you ready?"

'Was she ready?' She thought. Was she ready to enter a new world, to meet a family she never thought she would have? She didn't have to think about her answer long.

"Yes I'm ready." She said firmly.

The professor knocked on the door and it was answered by a beautiful blonde woman who had a handsome blonde man by her side.

"Hello Aurora, welcome to Malfoy Manner, your new home."

Be nice this holiday season…. Give me a review :)

Merry Early Christmas Everyone!