Author's note: Please be aware that I own ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, everything, except my character(s) I place in here, belongs to the wonderful Lady J.K. Rowling. This is a Sirius Black/OC Fanfiction, or at least it will get to that point. I do have terrible spelling sometimes, but I do my best. However, if I misspell something that I have not caught I do appreciate having a correction mentioned. But I love reading Fanfiction's from here, and I hope I can bring others the same joys they have brought me, I figured it was time I give it a shot.

This WAS, my FIRST Fanfiction that I had the courage enough to put up for all to read. I started small and did my best to update as soon, and as much, as I could. I know tend to forget things so try to have some patience, even though I sometimes fail at having some myself. *cough, cough*Please Enjoy the story, for the pages have yet to turn for new, or returning, readers of journeys untold. Also, please be aware that this story is 100% mine. This is a work of mine that I did under a different account of fanfiction under the username Nattie8516 and now shares the same username under this Fanfiction site as well. So rest assured, I am the same person and same owner of this work and other's I shall be posting on this new site as well.

Chapter 19

"Yer eye's, they're still emerald green. How long 'ave you been an Animagus?"

"…Since my third year." She admitted, "Gabby completed hers' fourth year. She was a natural compared to me." Emma's eyes watered, her mind flooding with memories as she remembered how they worked on her transformations into her Animagus. Both girls had been shocked, proud and ever so excited, that she too was a fox. Emma was excited when they both realized they had someone their own size. Though Gabby was the normal size of a fox where Emma's was a tiny one, shorter in stature and in body length. She could have sworn there was no such thing as a 'teacup' sized fox.

"Emma," She felt Hagrid's large form walk across his cabin and knelt in front of her and grabbed a hold of her hands to comfort the tearful girl, "She was a very special person to yeh, and very talented at that. Yeh two made a wonderful team... She may not be 'ere in body, but her spirit and love are still watchin' over yeh. She's probably crying right now alongside yeh because she can't hug yeh. So, when you think of 'er, try to think of her huggin' yeh. Come 'ere, kiddo."

Emma gratefully took the hug he offered. She cried for the loss, cried for the memories, cried for the heartache and cried for Gabby's fear and pain she must have felt at the time she had been killed. She found it hard to be happy Gabby may still be watching over her, because she still felt she had failed her. Hagrid told her to go on back to bed after she had her crying fit and a cup of nice herbal Chamomile Tea.

Emma spent every other day with Hagrid after that, going with Klay when she wasn't busy with Quidditch practice and had begun taking Mellena with her after a while. She knew something was off about the new girl, but she hadn't been suspicious about evilness in her, only that she had a deeper secret that may truly bother her. So why was she going to allow it to bother her? Secrets were a part of life. Plus, with the darker times right in front of them, Emma knew secrets were going to be very necessary.

"Emma, can I ask where you've been going every night since we got here?" Mellena asked at their desk in the library. They had taken to studying together, since Klay had been taking extra classes then aiding Hagrid with his work, the girls were left to themselves.

Unsure how to answer Mellena, Emma thought for a moment, "Uh... Look Mellena, I'd tell you but it's kind of a private thing." Emma watched the girl's face fall a little, something in her gut felt like Emma had just slapped the girl. With a sigh Emma caved in, it was like Gabby was still there in this new girl's body, she hated seeing a fallen face on Gabby and it was the same with this girl. "Mellena, if I show you something, can I trust you not to repeat it to anyone?"

Mellena's body straightened with an excited rush, nodding vigorously, "Yes, I swear. On my life, I won't say a thing." She was finally getting through to Emma, and that was the best thing about this, she had never felt this much difficulty with getting through to her best friend, but she understood that after the attack and massacre she was going to be more guarded due to the feeling and thinking she was on her own now here at school if anything occurred. But she was determined to get Emma to trust her, to trust the new her, she wanted Emma to be able to trust Mellena and Gabby, but if she told her who she was only to get her to trust her like she once had then Gabrielle would be endangering everyone that risked their lives to save hers', mostly Severus and Margaret and she would truly rather die than cause that.

"Tonight, at eleven, I'll show you."

11:30 p.m.

Mellena waited in the common room for Emma, she had decided to wait earlier rather than coming on time. To say she was desperate for her friends' love and trust once again was painful for her because she was desperate indeed. She jumped from her seat when Emma had appeared out of nowhere next to her, a wide smile on her face and happy tears in her deep emerald eyes, "I'm sorry I'm late... But I just received an Owl from my sister and brother-in-law... She's pregnant, I'm going to be an aunt!"

Gabby felt her heart swell with pride then fought back the feeling of it sinking when she realized she was not Gabby anymore, she was Mellena, but that didn't mean she could pull the happy girl in for a bone crushing hug, "Congratulations Emma!"

"I thought they'd never be blessed with this bloody war going on, I'm so happy, but I'm so scared at the same time..."

"What? Why are you scared, Emma...? There's nothing to be scared of..." Mellena comforted her, hoping she'd get the girl to understand that her sister and James were the most amazing witch and wizard alive in their time besides Dumbledore.

"My best friend and her family were murdered not too long ago, two of my sister's best friends have been killed in the last four years and I'm fearful that she and James will be next... I can't lose them, I can't lose any more people to this War... not to him. Mellena, I feel so alone in this fight, so alone here at school even when I have Klay and Hagrid... It's just so empty here without her here." Emma cried.

Mellena held Emma tighter, letting her cry into her hold. Emma had every right to be crying, she had lost so much, they both had, but Emma thought she, Gabby, was dead, and it killed her every time Emma cried herself to sleep because she was right there, right next to her every night and yet she couldn't do her usual Gabby thing. She couldn't tell Emma, her best friend, her sister, that she was very much alive and still there. Yet she couldn't. But she was still there, and it was time Gabby realized that she may look different, but that didn't mean she needed to act different, she can use her past knowledge, little things, to get through to Emma.

"Well, you have someone here right now. I'm not going to be going anywhere anytime soon because you're not just my only friend, I see someone I used to know when I look at you, and she was, is, the strongest girl I have ever known in my life. She was like that rare gem any friend was lucky to have found so fast in life... You're not alone, not anymore. I do not ever want to replace Gabby, because she sounds like an awesome person, but I just hope you can trust me like you did her once upon a time, because I trust you."

Emma couldn't help but giggle appreciative at her, even though she was still crying, Emma felt glad Mellena was with her at this moment, she hated crying her heart out like this to someone that wasn't Lily, Gabby or one of the boys, but Mellena made her feel like she wasn't alone, she was great at this comforting thing and Emma was feeling better. However, Emma found herself curious as to what happened to this friend of hers' she was talking about. "What happened to her? This gem-like friend?"

Emma waited patiently as Mellena thought for a moment, "She saved my life and doesn't even know it. She thinks I'm dead... My mother didn't only send me here in Dumbledore's care to attend classes, she sent me here for my protection. This friend of mine thinks I died in her attempts to save me and I know she's somewhere crying nightly because she feels that she failed in her attempt, but that's just the thing, even if I had died, she still could never fail me because she's alive, she's fighting back. As long as she's alive, whether I'm alive or dead in the end, that Gem of a girl will never let me down." Little did Emma know that 'Mellena' was talking to hear in cryptic messages.

She had said it, and both girls felt a heavy and painful weight lifted off their hearts. Gabby, for finally telling Emma she never had, nor would, fail her. And Emma for letting it finally sink into what Molly had said to her only months ago.

"Mellena? I want to show you something, come on..." With that, Emma grabbed a hold of the brunettes' hand and pulled her out the door and through the tunnels, quickly rushed her out of the castle and towards the Whomping Willow.

"Emma, what's going on."

"Showing you something," Emma pushed the knob on the tree and watched its branches cease their violent thrashing. Emma pulled a shocked Mellena down the hole and into the tree and down the tunneled corridor.

"Is this a house?" Even though Mellena knew what it was, though she had never really taken the time to actually look at it closely because they were always rushing about for Remus that she just hadn't really cared to look at. It was old, but it was still beautiful in its own way.

Emma released Mellena's hand, smiled widely and moved to the center of the room they had always used with Remus, "Now, just watch, and please, don't tell anyone." Emma waited for the girl to nod and continued with what she was planning. Closing her eyes, Emma concentrated and felt her body begin to change. She felt her clothes slip off as her body shrank and changed forms. Seconds later Emma's little head popped out of the pile of clothes on the floor and tilted her head off to the side a little and yipped at a wide smiling Mellena, "Awe, you're so cute, Rose."

Emma couldn't help as her ears dropped, grumbling to herself as she walked out of the pile of clothes and sat in front of them. Mellena was doing the same reaction that Gabby had done, and it hadn't bothered her like it should have.

Knowing if she morphed into her fox all the hard work that the people had gone through to help her would be blown, Mellena went for something simple, cute and fun. "I can't do fox's, but I can transfigure into a bunny."

At hearing this, Emma's ears perked up and shifted with excitement in her seating position, yipping up at her, waiting as patiently as she could she watched Mellena transfigure into a normal brown rabbit and watched her hop around and up to Emma.

Placing her front paws up on Emma's chest, Mellena lifted herself up onto her hind legs and sniffed around Emma's face.

They spent the next hour running and jumping around the house. Knowing they had spent enough time there they both knew they should probably get back to bed.

Mellena re-transfigured back and waited for Emma but found she was having issues opening a trunk, "Hang on, Rose." She laughed and opened the trunk for her. Looking inside, she found a few buttoned up flannel shirts, two red robes and a green robe that had once belonged to her when she was Gabrielle. Mellena watched Emma jump inside the trunk grab the green robe, hopped out and crawled under the robe and began her own self-transformation and tied the robe in place. "Time to go, thank you for coming tonight, Mel. How do you get so lucky with your clothes coming back with you?"

"Thank you for bringing me, Rose. And trust me, I just got lucky." Mellena laughed at Emma's small, playful pout.

Christmas Break

Emma was so excited she was home for break, she got to see Lily and James and the others. Remus had even come to stay with them.

Sirius had come a few days later due to his training still taking place and had kissed Emma the moment he set eyes on her. He hadn't let her go for hours besides Emma helping Lily with something or relieve themselves. Though, he'd also been acting weird and strange lately, especially around Remus. Sirius had avoided her questions of curiosity and worry when she began noticing his avoidance of their wolfish friend. He had taken to staying near Emma or James the next few nights and many of the group had begun noticing and catching on, "Sirius, may I have a word with you in the garden please?" Emma finally spoke up, giving him a look he knew all too well and walked out ahead of him, knowing he'd be out behind her soon.

With a sigh, he moved from his seat in the dining room, "What have I done now?" he grumbled a bit to himself.

"Don't worry Padfoot, she probably just really missed you is all." Remus said trying to not say it was probably because of his weird behavior.

Sirius huffed at him and rolled his eyes, "Yeah, probably," and walked out to the gardens, he found Emma sitting in the gazebo waiting for him, arms crossed firmly against her chest with a heavy look pointed at him.

"What have I done this time, Love." He asked a bit tiredly, sounding just a bit annoyed. He hadn't seen her reaction to his tone, hadn't even really cared when he watched Emma's brow rise at him with pure disbelief. "Well, you're avoiding Remus and you're being very rude to him. Your temper is exceedingly shorter than normal."

Not finding the question there, he shrugged nonchalantly, "And."

Emma looked on with utter shock, 'What has gotten into him?' "Sirius, talk to me, please? I know something's wrong and I want to at least try to help you. But, I can't if you keep refusing too and avoid it when I ask if you're alright or if something is bothering you." She stated.

"I have not avoided anything, Emma. It's just not your business." He snapped, he was tired and all he'd wanted was to be with his family, he wanted to forget about work, but he couldn't if he continued to see Remus, that was bothering him deeply, what if Remus was the spy, the wolf in the sheep's herd.

Almost laughing with irritation Emma coughed a few times, "Excuse me, not my business? Sirius Black, you've been avoiding us all the last month and your reason was because of your training. Now granted, I understand that part of Auror training is necessary, I really do. But, when you come home or have a Holiday with your family yet acting like everyone, namely one of your best friends, is a disease to be avoided is inexcusable. Talk to me, please. Maybe I can help, if not me then talk to James, Lily even. For Merlin's sake, talk to Peter if it'll make you feel better!"

Sirius laughed sarcastically with a scuff and began pacing, another sign Emma knew that something was wrong, "Lily and James have their own lives to worry for, they don't need to listen to my belly aching!"

"Then stop belly-aching and we won't be concerned, Sirius." Knowing she wouldn't get anywhere she walked to him, kissed him and moved his long hair from his face, "Just remember that we love you, that I love you. Try to enjoy the rest of your Holiday, Sirius."

She walked around him, his hand quickly grabbed a hold of her arm, stopping her in place, "Fox, I'm not... I'm not trying to be a git, I'm sorry. I love you all, but there's been some things happening recently along with some new information that the Aurors' have found, at least the ones involved with the Order. I confronted Dumbledore and he confirmed the rumors and information that was fed to us. I just don't know what to do, who to trust."

"You can trust me, Sirius. Always and forever, remember? I'll die before I betray any of you. Especially you or my sister... What's going on?"

"Emma, Sirius? James asked for you both to come inside, it's getting too cold to be out here at this hour." Remus spoke out from the back patio. He'd walked back inside when Sirius held up his hand, their silent code.

"I'll tell you tonight when we go to bed." With that he kissed her forehead and walked them back inside, both still holding onto one another.

As the later it got Emma had said her good nights as Lily went to bed, then shortly joined by her husband. Emma stayed up just a little longer with the boys then said her own good nights to them, kissing their foreheads as she had always done and gone to her room and waited for Sirius as the minutes ticked by.

A knock jolted her from nearly falling asleep, jumped from her bed she opened the door and smiled when her eyes found Sirius leaning against the door frame, a charmed grin gracing his face. But he'd brought a briefcase with him, one that was more likely full of files of cases he was training on.

"May I stay with you, Love?" He laughed a little. Emma grinned and stepped aside for him to enter. She watched him walk in and he sat the briefcase on her desk and open it, "There are some Auror's that have a hand in the Order, a few weeks ago we interrogated a Death Eater that was involved in the McKinnon's Massacre and he said "You're precious Order will be the death of you all, an unexpected Wolf in your mists and we will find each one of you sheep and slaughter you all," I didn't believe him until my instructor asked me to visit Dumbledore and confront him on the information. When I did, he didn't deny it, in fact Albus fest up and said he has an Order member currently investigating this and that he or she has been doing what they can the last year and a half, but they had continued hitting dead ends because everyone had been suspicious, and the spy hadn't made a mistake yet. Which has left Dumbledore unable to trust many of his members to do their jobs because everything has sensitive information involved in it, so he handed the case over to me and my trainer for further investigation. I hate suspecting my family, but Remus and Wormtail are the only ones that have been acting suspicious. I adore Wormtail but he doesn't fit the profile and not to mention, forgive me my friend," Sirius whispered to himself, "is sort of a coward."

"Sirius, Remus is not the kind to betray anyone of you, nor the Order. Tell me, how is it that Remus just so happens to fit your profile?" She questioned.

"He's always leaving at all hours of the night, lurking about, secretive, even with us, with you, James and Lily. Not to mention when the Death Eater said Wolf in our mists, Remus is a were-wolf, it could just be a stupid phrase to throw us off, but it also points another figure at Remus because his condition he could be called 'wolf' to them, they didn't say rat or spy, he said wolf, but I need stronger evidence to clear him or put him on trial."

"Sirius, slow down there. Remus would never betray you, and if all you have to go on is this, then your case is going to be tossed out when they read your report-" "Emma, I've been studying under an Auror the past year and a half, I have an idea of how this system works very well. I know they'll toss the report as soon as they read this much, that's why I need to get more to clear him." Sirius interjected a bit sternly.

Taking a calming breath, Emma nodded understanding he wanted desperately to clear Remus rather than condemn him, "Now, my question is, have you looked more into Peter? I only ask, because maybe someone like him Voldemort would use to his advantage, simply because of his personality. He wouldn't even be suspected or looked at, as you've already stated Sirius. You think Peter Pettigrew is too much a coward, but what if you're over-looking him simply because of the biased opinion you have of his cowardice. Couldn't it be possible he saw Peter's strong weakness for not standing his ground and frightened the poor man into joining him? Did you even think to look at their arms Sirius, Voldemort marks those he wishes to have on his side, and if Peter had joined them, or Remus, wouldn't he have taken the mark? I've seen Remus's forearms just a few nights ago, he had his sleeves rolled up, they were bare of any dark marks Sirius. Voldemort would have seen this and used it, Peter would have been useful to someone like him, he'd be overlooked whereas Remus wouldn't have been. Did that ever occur to you? Or did it ever occur to you that Gabby, or myself, could have been or be this 'wolf'. Wolf is a term used for someone sneaky, hungry, trickster, misleading and manipulative. Now, Remus is smart, he could pull it off if he wanted too. But I highly doubt he is, he's just like you, Sirius. Remus Lupin would die before betraying any of us, but so would Peter and myself. Maybe you're looking for something that likely isn't there." Emma wanted to try to explain to him that he was looking at Remus as the traitor simply because the term 'Wolf' had been used in the threat and confession that had Sirius overlooking so many things.

Sirius's heart clinched, he knew she was just trying to help comfort him from looking into his dearest friends, even the love of his life, who was standing right in front of him. He didn't want to look into Peter or Remus, not even Emma. But he'd already ruled her and Lily out thankfully, "I have to follow the evidence, Love... I'm sorry." He looked at her, his gray eyes full of hurt and loss.

His eyes reminded Emma of someone that was losing himself, someone that felt was losing his family. Knowing there was nothing she could say that would help him, Emma smiled weakly at him and nodded, "I understand, I'll always stand beside you, Sirius. Never forget that."

Sirius lightly laughed at her, she had tried making him feel somewhat better and it had worked just a little, but he was still afraid of the outcome. "How can I forget when you continue to remind me. For that, I'll always be grateful for it and you, Foxy." He said, pulling her into his arms and hugging her close to him.

He was afraid, so very afraid.

NOTE TO READERS! -since Gabby is technically 'dead' I don't want to confuse anyone with the identity switch. So! Gabrielle Marlene McKinnon has had her name changed, for her safety, TO Mellena Rose Margaret McClain then later had "McClain" changed to "Dumbledore" at the end due to Dumbledore's adoption of her. So, I hope you don't get too confused, if so, I apologize and to make you all feel better, I myself am still getting used to not typing "Gabby". You're not alone in the confusion department lol :)