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 20

January 1980 - Second term

Hagrid approached the two giggling girls as they got off the train, worry clear on his face. He was rubbing his figures together and picking at his nails a bit. His behavior had the two girls worried themselves as he stood there looking around like he was waiting for something. It was Mellena that broke the silence, "Hagrid? Are you alright?"

He shook his head, keeping his eyes to the ground, this worried them both even more. He'd finally spoken, though he hadn't looked up from the ground when he asked an unnerving question, "Emma? 'ave ya seen Klay 'round lately? I 'aven't heard from him at all over break, he was supposed to help me, but he ne'er showed up at me home. It's not like him at all." Hagrid explained.

This set the fear deep inside the girl's guts, Emma had waited for weeks for a letter from Klay to give her all the wonderful details about how he and Hagrid were doing with setting up for the new year. "No... But, I'm sure there's a reason. We can talk to Dumbledore tonight or in the morning when we see him. If you want, we can go with you tomorrow after class or at break to ask Dumbledore if he's heard anything that way you're not alone." Emma stated, hoping that may somewhat give him hope in knowing he wasn't alone in his worrying. She knew how close Hagrid and Klay had gotten as buddies, even after Gabby had been killed, Klay had spent nearly every spare moment helping Hagrid, even though it wasn't giving him extra credit in his school record, like it should have been, he had volunteered his time willingly. Hagrid and Klay were now as close as James and Sirius.

The girls watched him breath a heavy sigh as he shook his head, "Ah, bless ya, but ya don' have ta do that. If I hear anythin' I'll let ya know as soon as I can, hm? Enjoy dinner ladies." With his head still bowed low, Hagrid walked off and the girls watched him leaving with heavy hearts, both praying and hoping for Hagrid's sake that Klay was safe.

"Emma, should we worry?" Mellena asked as they rode in the carriage to the school, "We can worry yes, but not panic... Yet." She clarified and Mellena had nodded, obviously both girls still worried themselves over Klay Malcolm's disappearance.

Days had turned into weeks, and Klay had yet to appear. Hagrid had been beside himself with worry.

Dumbledore had told him he was still in search for the boy. He'd attended his early graduation from Hogwarts after having so much credit and taken his final O.W.L's and N.E.W.T's earlier than his seventh year class mates and had passed. Klay was supposed to report directly to Hagrid, but the boy had just up and disappeared afterwards. During this time, Dumbledore had grown worried, written to his family, which was only his Aunt and older sister, then to the Ministry. Shortly afterwards a full-on investigation had been pursued to find the young wizards' where-bouts.

The girls decided to help take Hagrid's, and their own, mind off the missing friend and told Hagrid that they were all three going to attend lunch in Hogsmeade every Saturday and Sunday, that they'd visit him every night if they could after classes.

And they had done just that.

Hagrid had been so touched and happy for the extra company that he had set up a small extension to his home for the girls for them to do their homework while they were there, that way they didn't have to continue moving themselves or their things for school as they did homework while he was wondering back and forth about his home. They had helped him clean and cook and even care for some of his creatures that lived indoors with him and helped around his garden.

This carried on for quite some time.

Hagrid was astonished that they were still not only passing their sixth-year classes and able to attend them, but they were still getting their homework done on time and or early and attending Quidditch practice. They had made Hagrid and McGonagall both happy and proud when they won the first game of 1980. Though, their win was not to last, they had lost the second game just weeks later. But they were all happy they had won the first game of the year, and they held that to their heart proudly.

McGonagall and the other Professors had seen the two girls excelling progress and were all deeply touched and impressed with their hard work for themselves and for Hagrid that the Professors decided to turn this into extra credit for them, they had even cut them slack on homework dates by a day or so, even though they seemed to not need them, though they could always use it later in the year if needed, especially if Klay was not found. Or if so, found dead.

Second term sadly flew by and still no word on Klay, Emma was beginning to grow more worried over Sirius and Remus. He had begun owling her letters telling her what little information he was able to tell her, since it was an open investigation he was now able place the accusations on Remus because he'd been unable to clear him of anything and he had continued his suspicious activity. Now, Sirius was currently trying to present this to Dumbledore and the Ministry, however, every attempt to do so was failing for reasons unknown.

It wasn't until mid-May 1980 that Klay had been escorted down to Hagrid's by Professor Dumbledore and the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. The boy was carrying something in his arms, a dog from the looks of it, and the best part was that he was smiling.

Hagrid walked out with the girls and pulled the boy into a big bear hug which was returned gleefully, 'I'm safe now,' "Sorry I'm late Hagrid, but I found this little guy on the way and I couldn't pass him up." Klay said and held up a dark brown hound dog, possibly the size of a Pekingese or smaller. "Awe he's just adorable he is! Where'd yeh find 'im?"

"Actually, I'll explain that once we're inside, forgive me, but the travels have been harsh. You wouldn't happen to have that amazing tea you always had last year would ya, Hagrid?" Klay asked, he looked tired, beaten and overall, terrible. He'd obviously been cleaned up a bit, before being brought to his new mentor, yet he still looked terrible. Cuts here and there on his face. One was over the bridge of his nose that would likely leave a scar and one under his eyes like a Cheshire cat's smile.

Hagrid nodded and shuffled himself and the puppy inside, "O' course, always 'ave that tea in stock, blend it meself I do. But you already knew that." Hagrid smiled. He was so glad Klay was alright, relieved that he was there and walking. The puppy was just a bonus, like a creature the poor beaten boy had likely saved.

The girls both tossed themselves into Klay's arms as he'd entered the home with Fudge and Dumbledore. Everyone watched, smiling as the three friends were reunited, for once something went right in this War. A group of Death Eaters had been caught and captured, Klay plus a few others had been found and set free and medical attention had been given on the spot.

"You're alive, thank God." Both girls sighed with relief.

Klay held the two girls closely, even though he barely knew Mellena he knew deep down there was something familiar about her. Over the course, through the time he'd been away and held captive he'd listened and asked about a Mellena McClain, each person had laughed and said they knew nothing of the girl and that she was more likely dead like the rest of the names people would say to them.

"Thank your future husband Emma, he's the one that saved me." Klay cracked at her. The group simply laughed, knowing he was only joking but with the way Emma and Sirius were heading it looked as though Sirius would be proposing sometime in the near future.

"I wasn't aware of a wedding," Dumbledore grinned with a start, "Please do inform me of the date my dear girl. I'd not only love to join, but I'd be honored to see such a talented young witch marry the love of her life." He finished with a wink.

Unsure what to say, Emma blushed and nodded to her Professor.

Klay took a few deep breaths in around him, the calming and nature filled smell of Hagrid's hut, the cooking food over the fireplace actually smelled pretty good, making him grin at knowing the girls had taken up cooking for him when they could. Hagrid couldn't cook. "Thank you, Professor Dumbledore. Minister, for returning me to my mentor and my family."

They nodded and given their fair-wells and good wishes then were off themselves.

As they left and vanished up the steps, Klay turned back to the girls and held them even tighter than before, re-breathing in their calming scents, "I never thought I'd ever be home again with you three." They'd felt him begin to tremble in their arms. Both girls found it a bit hard, even working together, to help keep him standing on his feet as he fell to his knees. The two girls, holding onto him as he began crying. Tears of joy, tears of fear and exhaustion and much more, tears of pain. Mellena and Emma held him like that for several minutes.

"Emma, the tub is in the back, could yeh be a dear and run him a warm bath real fast? Poor boy needs some refreshin' and a safe place." Hagrid asked as he helped Klay from the floor, sat him in one of his old and very comfortable chairs, placing a blanket on his legs and handed him the cup of herbal tea he'd requested while Emma and Mellena walked in the back and ran Klay the bath Hagrid had asked to be ran for the boy.

"So, may I ask where yeh found this little guy at?" Hagrid asked nodding over to the now asleep puppy in front of the fireplace on the rug.

"He was one of the pups the Death Eaters were planning to use as a bait animal, they're cruel, even if we were in a whole other area of the place, we could still hear the horrible fights. He was in the cage next to mine, the smallest, really. So, I baited him myself with some food to get him close enough for me to slip him between the bars and kept him with me, he hid very well and was very quiet. Good boy is what he is, poor thing was so frightened I don't think he'll ever get his courage back."

Hagrid's heart broke with every word Klay had given about the poor pup, "Well, brave yeh both are... I think I'll name him Mal, to help give him some courage back in his little body, and that of the person tha' saved 'im. What kind of breed is he, yeh think?"

"Probably a Boarhound really. Either that or they brought over a muggle bread, I think it's called a Bloodhound. I can always ask my sister to pick up a few books when she goes to the Muggles library next time for all dog breeds in case it's a non-magical canine.

"Would she? That may help a bit in tellin' if he's magical or not, either way really, canines are all usually the same, but the extra research can never hurt, it's bet'er safe than sorry I always say." And Klay had agreed, he smiled thankfully to the girls and Hagrid when Emma came back saying his bath was ready, "I'm afraid I have no clothes,"

Hagrid waved a hand off, "Nonsense, I have me old clothes from when I was younger, always have 'em just in case of somethin' like this… Well, someone not havin' any spare clothes to use I mean. I pulled them out fer yeh a while ago in case you needed somethin' to work in that way yeh weren' gettn' yer nice clothes all dirty."

Klay smiled thankfully, "You're amazing Hagrid. Have I ever told you that?"

"Na, think nothin' of it, now, go get yer bath then it's off to bed the lot of yeh. Girls', say your good nights then it's up to yer dorm room." Hagrid said hugging the girls then went about cleaning up while they said their good nights and were off, "They'll be back tomorrow, don't yeh worry."

"Thank you, Hagrid." Klay relaxed in the tub with great joy and was lucky to not have fallen asleep, changed for bed and was asleep in second in the large armchair that could have almost been a bed even for someone like Klay.

Weeks passed, Klay had settled into Hagrid's hut, who had yet again been allowed to do an extension charm by Dumbledore to his home for an upstairs for Klay, the girls had told him he could remove their study room if he wanted or turn it into something else. Hagrid laughed his cheerful laugh and told them, "Na, I think I'll keep it there, at les' until you all graduate. I still very much enjoy both yer com'any."

May finished and June was beginning, their last game was almost there, and Klay was happy to be there, "I got the tickets for the game Hagrid. Mal, be a good boy, off the table... Thank you." Hagrid laughed watching the two, even though Klay had brought Mal for him, he and the pup seemed to have already bounded, though the puppy was an all-around lovable creature the puppy mostly wanted to be near him, not that Hagrid minded one bit, the boy had saved his life and he was happy the two had one another still.

The game was a mess, Gryffindor was against Hufflepuff and Klay wasn't sure who to cheer for, so he cheered for both and let Hagrid cheer for their girls in Gryffindor. Gryffindor won, Klay had congratulated both of them with cheers and near bone crushing brotherly hugs then went about congratulating the Hufflepuff's on a good game.

Summer 1980

Klay hugged the girl's goodbye for the summer, he was relieved he was finally home, he loved his sister and Aunt, but he loved Hogwarts more for some reason. Of course, he knew he'd go home to visit them, but he was staying the summer with Hagrid to get his internship started and out of the way for the next two years.

Emma was looking out the window of the compartment, a look of dread was sinking deeper in her gut, Sirius was still trying to put these cases and accusations on Remus and she knew he was wrong, but he wouldn't listen to her, not one bit, his Auror training was telling him one thing while his mind and heart were telling him another. And he was listening to only one part of his being.

Mellena had been talking about how she was only going because Dumbledore had set up a home in Godric's Hollow for her, him and herself and had hoped his brother may join them sometime for a visit. "Emma? Are you alright?"

"No... Sirius is going crazy. He thinks Remus is a spy for an enemy and he's not even trying to clear him. He's just so set that he is the traitor in the Order." Mellena laughed a little, "He's joking right? I mean Remus would never- I mean from what you've told me, Remus would never do that, why is he not trying to clear him?"

'Nice save Gabby, nearly blew your case.'

Emma shrugged, "I know, I just can't get through to him. And I can't just tell Remus because then he won't only just confront Sirius, I'll blow his case and the three of us will really be in trouble, mainly Sirius because he shared the case with me, he is not allowed to do that. Still training or not. He's finished in one month, one more month for me to convince Sirius he's gone crazy and that Remus is not the traitor. After that I don't know what will happen."

"How about this, whenever you see Sirius just talk to him, about anything really, get his mind redirected into something else. Does he still go to James and Lily's?"

"Sometimes, when he needs to use the study, he says his neighbors next to his apartment are too loud sometimes." She said with a laugh making Mellena laugh with her, "That's disturbing, but also good. Try to distract him from work a little then."

"Hey, if I give you my address would you care to write to each other?" Emma had missed writing to female friends, she only had Klay to talk to and she missed Gabby too much. She wasn't asking Mellena to write to her because she was the only female friend she had, not even because Klay was going to be too busy. Emma was asking because she trusted her and knew Mellena only had Dumbledore as a family now and she was going to be in a house with him all summer. So why write to your adoptive grandfather when he's downstairs or down the hall?

Mellena smiled and nodded, "Of course. I'd love to. By the way, how's your sister doing with the pregnancy?" Mellena shifted in her seat with excitement, a smile wider on her face as she thought of Lily being a mother soon and Emma was equally excited.

"She is doing wonderfully from the letter's I've gotten. She is due next month, Oh Mel, she's just absolutely beautiful, here I have pictures James sent me." The rest of the train ride was spent with Emma and Mellena giggling and talking about the new addition to the Potter family possible baby names, what the baby would look like if it were a boy or girl and more.

The girls hugged one another in a tight embrace, not wanting to let go. They had bounded much more this year and even more so when Klay had been missing, "Bye Emma! I'll write, I promise." Mellena said and rushed to her new grandfather, who was shockingly in a suite instead of his regular robes.

A charmed chuckled came from behind her, a chuckle she knew all too well, even more so his voice that was like smooth silk to her ears, "Well, you're making new friends, that's a good thing. I was worried we'd have to lock you in a room with random people just to make a new friend for the year left."

She smiled wide, turned on her heels quickly and through herself into his arms, "Sirius! You came, but I thought you said you had to work. Your training."

"Training has been over for a while, we had to close the case until further notice. My Mentor told me to continue telling people I was still an intern months ago but with the case no longer opened and other cases that need attention, I am now officially able to call myself an Auror... And I wanted to surprise you, Love. And I believe I have succeeded. Your sister received a notice from Petunia, she had a son the 23rd of June, though I have to say I don't see why she'd say anything if she disowned you both." He informed her, a bit confused and rather annoyed, that Petunia would even do it if she hated her sisters.

Emma simply sighed hearing this news, she had an idea why Petunia would do something like that, especially towards Lily, and it broke her heart at thinking it, "I love Petunia, but I think if she did that then she's probably trying to rub it into Lily's face about having a family before her, which really won't bother Lily one bit. Lily loves her and she's glad she's happy, as am I."

Sirius sighed with her, laced his fingers through her soft wavy hair and kissed the top of her head, "Time to go, James and Lily are in the car waiting. She wanted to come in to gather you, but she couldn't get out of the car, her belly's so big." He was joking of course, and it had made the both of them giggle.

Emma playful smacked his arm, "That's rude Sirius, you know you love Lily. I can already see it, Uncle Sirius. Godfather to the child or not, you'll still be the uncle either way."

"Emma Evans, was that a proposal," He joked.

"No, that's supposed to be your job, Black. Mine is to say Yes." She poked back at him with a wide grin and pecked a kiss to his grinning cheek, "We need to get my trunk from the baggage car-" "I already have it, Love. James took it out to the car already, we got it the moment the train stopped, and it took you ten minutes to get off and me five minutes of distracting you. Time to go." She was really beginning to think that grin of his was permanently there because it never left his face.

"You, Sirius Black are a trickster."

"I'm a Marauder, Love. And you Love it, admit it." With that he winked at her and walked out to the car.

Lily had finally managed to get herself out of the car and hugged Emma with strength that she never knew her sister had, or was it the pregnancy?

"It's almost coming to a close for this one story that started it all, but there's always more to one's life than an ending. It's the beginning of a new one starting for the finishing to come to a point." - quote by Nattie8516 :)