Chapter 48

Oliver's gloomy mood that had lasted till the end of November lightened considerably after Ravenclaw crushed Hufflepuff in their match. He resumed his almost manic energy and was more determined than ever to beat Ravenclaw. Meredith didn't see much of him as more and more of his time was spent out on the pitch drilling the team day and night. When he was not on the pitch he was seen with Angelina Johnson talking strategy and what not.

"They're getting close," Patricia said quietly on their way to their last Defense Against the Dark Arts class before the holiday break. Meredith glanced over where Oliver was speaking to the dark skinned fifth year. They were speaking in a corner but there was nothing that indicated the conversation was more than platonic.

"Probably discussing Quidditch strategy," she said. "It's all he can think about these days. He only got an A on his last two essays for Flitwick."

"He asked her to go to Hogsmeade with him," Patricia said glumly. Meredith raised an eyebrow. She had not known about this.

"Guess he wants someone who'll actually understand what he's talking about when he prattles on about the Wonky Faint or whatever the hell it's called."

"I thought you decided you were better off as friends," Meredith said. Patricia sighed.

"I did," she said. "But it sure didn't take long for him to find someone new did it?" Meredith decided that it would be unwise to point out that it had been almost two months since Patricia and Oliver had gone out. They needed to get to class.

"OLIVER!" she shouted. He glanced up and she tapped her watch. He nodded and hurried to join them. Her dad had them continue working on their patronuses. Percy had managed a patronus resembling some kind of rodent. Meredith thought it was a weasel but Percy insisted it was a ferret.

"That's excellent Oliver," her dad said. "Hold on to it don't let go." Meredith released her spell and came over to see what Oliver had. His patronus appeared to have four legs and a long bushy tail. Oliver looked up and met her eye and the patronus quickly vanished.

"We'll leave it there," Remus said. "Everyone have a very good holiday." They gathered their bags and headed for lunch.

"You know Oliver," Percy said. "Your patronus looked an awful like a…"

"Hope there's something good for lunch," Oliver said loudly. "I'm starving." Meredith glanced at Patricia with a quizzical look. Patricia shrugged.

"So I guess you'll be staying here for Christmas then?" Patricia asked her as they sat down.

"I reckon so," Meredith said. "Dumbledore's asked all the teachers to stay at Hogwarts over the holidays. With Sirius Black about he doesn't want to take any chances with Harry's safety." Patricia nodded glumly.

"Why don't you sign up to stay too?" Meredith said pouring a glass of pumpkin juice.

"Can't," Patricia moaned. "All the muggle relatives are coming in for the holidays. Auntie Glynnis would be most offended if I was at that 'odd school' during her visit. Personally I'd rather take triple potions with Snape than spend one moment under the same roof as that old prune." Meredith giggled.

"Well," she said. "At least we have one more Hogsmeade weekend together before the holidays."

"Yeah," Patricia said. "It'll be just the two of us. With both Percy and Oliver off on their dates." Meredith couldn't help but notice the bitterness in Patricia's voice.

"We'll have fun without them," Meredith declared. "I'll need to get all my Christmas shopping done this weekend since I won't have a chance at end of term."

Hogsmeade always seemed magical at Christmas time. Even with the dread of Sirius Black in the air and the ever looming presence of the dementors, the show topped shops and the green wreaths hanging from doors and windows brought a sense of warmth and peace. They shopped for hours till Meredith had a present for everyone on her list. A new watch for her dad, special made keepers gloves for Oliver, a new quill and parchment set for Percy, a silver brooch shaped like a snowflake for Auntie Andromeda, a new briefcase for Uncle Ted, a silver jewelry box for Tonks. She had to be a bit sneaky when purchasing the tear drop crystal pendant for Patricia. Fortunately, Patricia had been distracted looking at a set of Christmas tree ornaments that were enchanted by fairy lights.

"Whew," Patricia said as they stepped out a warm shop into the cold afternoon air. "I'm tuckered." Meredith smiled. Hogsmeade was extremely busy today. People wanting to get their shopping done in the daylight before the dementors went on the prowl.

"Why don't we go for a bite in the Three Broomsticks," Meredith suggested.

"Sounds good to me," Patricia said. After casting a vanishing spell on their packages to send them to the common room so that they would not have to carry them both girls felt much less bulky and it gave their arms a much needed relief. They went into the cozy pub which was decked out for the holidays.

"What can I get you ladies?" A waitress came to their table. She was young and had long black hair in a long braid down her back.

"I'll have a butterbeer and the special soup of the day," Meredith said.

"I'll have the same," Patricia said. The girl scurried off to fill their order.

"I think that's Madam Rosmerta's niece," Patricia said. Meredith had no idea where Patricia got her information. Their waitress was back quickly with their lunch. The soup tasted wonderful.

"I heard that she was educated at Beaxbaton," Patricia said knowingly. "But she couldn't find a job after she graduated so her parents sent her to live and work here. Rather pathetic really." Meredith stayed silent and ate her soup.

"What the?" Patricia said and then stopped.

"What is it?" Meredith said. Patricia looked as though she'd seen a ghost. Patricia shook her head.

"I thought I saw something," she said. "But it couldn't be."

"What?"

"Oh I thought I saw Potter over there with Granger and Ron," she said with a shrug. Meredith glanced over where she saw Ron and Hermione sitting together. They did look a little uneasy, but she did not see Harry with them.

"Probably just so used to seeing the three of them together that my mind is just playing tricks on me," Patricia said.

"I hope so," Meredith said giving the table another long look. "Harry doesn't have permission to be in Hogsmeade. I'd hate to have to report him."

"Ooh," Patricia suddenly said. "Look who just came in." Meredith glanced over at the door and saw Professors McGonagall and Flitwick, along with Hagrid and Cornelius Fudge. Meredith felt her face get hot. The last time she had been in the minister's presence was when he was questioning her at her custody hearing. The teachers and the minister took a table near them. Meredith turned her back to them. She would not have minded saying hello to Hagrid and her teachers but she was in no mood to be noticed by the minister. She didn't know if she could muster enough civility to the man under whose orders the dementors were roaming around the school. Their voices carried as Madam Rosmerta brought their drink orders.

"Why don't you join us Rosmerta?" The minister asked the pretty pub owner.

"Why thank you minister. So tell me, what brings you to my neck of the woods sir?"

"Sirius Black, what else. I dare say you heard about what happened up at the school on Halloween night?"

"Of course," Rosmerta said. "The whole pub's been talking about it. Do you really think Black's still in the area?"

"I'm sure of it," the minister said.

"The Dementors have been all over the village searching for him," Rosmerta said her voice becoming chilly. "They've been scaring away my customers."

"I don't like them anymore than you Rosmerta," the minister said. Meredith could only wonder what thought the minister was haunted by when the dementors got too close.

"It' a necessary precaution," the minister continued. "I've just met with some of them. They are furious that Dumbledore won't allow them inside the castle grounds."

"I should say not!" Mcgonagall said sharply and Meredith felt a wave of warmth toward her head of house.

"Nevertheless," the minister said. "They are here to protect you all. We all know what Black's capable of."

"You know I still have trouble believing it," Rosmerta said thoughtfully. "Of all the people to go over to the dark side. Why I remember him when he was a boy when he and James used to come in here together." Meredith nearly spat out her butterbeer! James Potter and Sirius Black? Harry's father was best friends with the man who was now after his son? The table behind them now had Meredith's full and undivided attention.

"Oh yes," McGonagall said. "Never saw one without the other Potter and Black. Ringleaders of their little gang. Such a pair of trouble makers."

"Inseparable they were," Flitwick added.

"Of course," the minister said. "You'd have thought they were brothers. Nothing changed when they graduated. Black was Potter's best man when he married Lily. Then they named him godfather to Harry." At this both Meredith and Patricia gasped.

"Harry has no idea of course," McGonagall said.

"Can you imagine how he would feel?" Flitwick said.

"Because he turned out to be in leauge with You Know Who?"Rosmerta asked.

"Oh much worse than that," the minister said lowering his voice so that Meredith had to strain to hear him. "When James and Lily realized that You Know Who had targeted them for death Dumbledore urged them to go into hiding under the Fidelius Charm."

"How does the Fidelius Charm work?" Rosmerta asked.

"It's very complex," Flitwick said. "It involves the concealment of a secret inside a single, living soul. Once concealed it becomes impossible to find unless the person who holds it, the Secret Keeper reveals it. As long as the Secret Keeper kept the information secret You Know Who could never find James and Lily even if he were staring into their bedroom window."

"Black was their Secret Keeper," Rosmerta mused.

"Oh yes," McGonagall said. "There was no one else James would have trusted. Dumbledore had his doubts though. I remember he offered to be the Potter's Secret Keeper himself. He had suspected for some time that someone on our side had betrayed us and was passing information to You Know Who. But James insisted on using Black and less than a week later, they were gone." Meredith felt as though her windpipe were closing up on her. She took a sip of butterbeer to try and ease her dry throat.

"So there was Black," the minister picked up the story. "His master having met his end at the hands of little Harry right as Black had shown his true colors. He knew he would have to run for it."

"But the ministry caught up to him?"

"I only wish we had," the minister said sadly. "It was not the ministry who caught up to him. It was little Peter Pettigrew, another of the Potters' friends.

"Ah I remember Peter Pettigrew," Rosmerta said. "Worshipped Potter and Black as I remember."

"Followed them everywhere," McGonagall said. "No where near as talented though. I was rather hard on him at times…"

"Died a hero's death, foolish boy," Flitwick said sadly.

"Aye," the minister said. "I was one of the first on the scene after Black murdered all those people. I remember it like it was yesterday. A huge crater in the middle of the street, dead bodies all around and Black laughing like a mad man. A finger was all we found of Pettigrew." Meredith could not hear anymore. They quickly paid their bill and left the pub.

"My stars!" Patricia gasped as they climbed the path back to the school. "I knew Black was wicked but I never could have imagined all that. Can you imagine? Betraying your own best friend to his death. And to practically hand Harry to You Know Who when he was only a baby! A Baby! His godson! Oh could you imagine how Harry would feel if he knew!" Patricia was rambling so as Meredith could not get a word in edgewise. But that was okay for the shock of it all had robbed Meredith of any and all speech. Black had been best friends with Harry's dad. Her dad had been friends with Harry's dad. Her dad must have known Black? He must have known that Black was the Potter's Secret Keeper. He must have known all of it. Meredith felt a sharp pain in her stomach that had very little to do with how much butterbeer she had drank.

Meredith pushed the conversation she'd heard in the Three Broomsticks out of her mind. It was Christmas, not the time to be thinking dark unpleasant thoughts. She awoke to an empty dorm room, all of her house having gone home for the holiday. At the foot of her bed was a small pile of presents. Pulling on her robe over her pajamas she left Gryffindor tower. On her way to the kitchen she bumped into Dumbledore.

"Ah Meredith," the Headmaster greeted her. "Happy Christmas."

"Happy Christmas, sir," she said.

"I suspected that you and your father would wish to spend the day together, so I took the liberty of having the house elves prepare your meals for the day. They will be sent to your father's quarters."

"Thank you sir," Meredith said blushing. Dumbledore nodded to her and continued to the great hall. Meredith hurried down the hall to her father's classroom. She gave the password to his door and stepped inside.

"Dad," she called. A low groan came from beneath a pile of covers. Meredith grinned mischievously. She crept silently over to the bed and with a playful squeal, she pounced.

"Oof!" her dad groaned as she leapt onto him.

"Wake up!" she cried bouncing up and down. "It's Christmas! Wake up! Wake up!" Her dad sat up and gave her a bewildered look. Meredith was overcome with giggles and his disheveled appearance. The look of bewilderment turned to a glare.

"Think that's funny do you?" he said with some ferocity. Meredith shrieked and tried to jump up but her dad grabbed her arms and pinned her to the bed.

"I'll show you funny," he growled.

"No!" Meredith shrieked but it was futile. She tried to struggle but was overcome with laughter as her dad tickled her mercilessly. She tried to roll away but her dad was sitting on her.

"Okay, okay," she gasped letting her hands fall uselessly at her sides. "I can't breathe. I give up." He ceased the torment and pulled her up so that she was leaning against him.

"Good morning love," he said kissing the top of her head. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," she said hugging him. They spent the day together tucked away in his quarters opening gifts and just talking. Meredith received a homework organizer from Percy, a gorgeous black and silver cloak from Patricia, two muggle books from Oliver, a traditional Weasley sweater and a box of almond fudge from Mrs. Weasley. The dragon hide boots from her dad must have cost him at least a month's salary. She said nothing of this though. She knew he was glad to be able to give her something fancy and foolish for once. She thanked him a hundred times and pulled the boots on.

"Thank you for the watch my love," he said. "It's exquisite." Meredith smiled. A small package wrapped in silver paper caught her eye. Curious she picked it up. There was no card or tag on it.

"What's this?" she asked holding it out to him.

"I don't know," he said taking it from her. "It's got your name on it, but no return address." Even more curious Meredith took the package and tore off the paper. It was a small jewelry box made of polished white oak. She lifted the lid and gasped. Nestled in white satin was a gold locket. It looked very old.

"What is it love?" Meredith handed him the locket. As Remus looked at the lockets a strange look passed over his eyes.

"There was no card?" Meredith shook her head.

"Dad what is it?" Remus did not answer for a long time.

"For the time being," he said closing the box. "I think it would be best if you did not wear this." Meredith nodded warily. She had heard of curses being placed upon necklaces and rings and that sort of thing infecting the person who put it on. But who would send her such a thing? The locket was forgotten as food arrived. As promised the house elves sent them a magnificent breakfast. It was almost as good as being back home. Meredith smiled a little.

"What are you grinning about?" her dad asked passing a fond hand over her hair. Meredith grinned.

"I half expect Patricia to come barging into the room at any moment declaring that she's had another row with her folks." Remus smiled. The house elves had prepared them a small feast of delicious roast chicken and potatoes for dinner. Meredith jeans felt considerably snugger once she had finished off two servings. After dinner they were lounging on the sofa, Meredith paging through Mansfield Park her gift from Oliver and Remus looking over his fourth year students essays, when there was a knock on the door. Remus stood and went to the door. On the other side stood Professor McGonagall.

"Minerva?" Remus greeted her. The head of Gryffindor looked distressed.

"Forgive me for disturbing Remus," McGonagall said entering. "But I need to speak to you. It is most urgent."

"Of course," Remus said. It was then that he noticed that McGonagall carried a broomstick. And not just any broomstick.

"My goodness," Remus said. "Is that a Firebolt?"

"It is," McGonagall said laying the broomstick on the table. Even Meredith looked impressed.

"Potter received it as a gift. It arrived without a card or a note. He has no idea who sent it." Remus felt suddenly sick to his stomach.

"You didn't know anything about this did you Remus?" McGonagall asked.

"You think I sent it to him?" Remus asked somewhat amused. "Minerva I can barely afford to keep clothes on my daughter's back. You can't seriously think I'd be able to afford a Firebolt?" Beside him he saw Meredith bite her lip and glanced down at her boots with a guilty look. It had been a huge thing for him to be able to give her such an expensive present. They were much more than he could afford really but for once he wanted to be able to give her something special.

"And you Meredith?" McGonagall asked. Meredith shook her head.

"I had nothing to do with this," Meredith said.

"Very well," McGonagall said. "You can understand I'm sure Remus that all the teachers are a bit concerned at the nature in which Potter received this broom."

"I do," Remus said shooting a glance at Meredith.

"You think Sirius Black sent him the broom don't you?" Meredith said. Both Remus and McGonagall sent her a shocked look. Meredith shrugged.

"It's not exactly a secret that Black's after Harry," she said.

"Yes, well, I would hope Miss Lupin that I can trust you not to spread that around," McGonagall said. Meredith nodded.

"Of course not Professor McGonagall," she said.

"Meredith," Remus said. "Could Professor McGonagall and I have a moment?" Meredith nodded and picked up her book. Once his daughter had left the room Remus turned to McGonagall.

"What are you going to do with the broom?"

"We shall have to run tests on it. Make sure that there are no hexes or curses placed upon it." Remus added. Almost as an afterthought he picked up the small white oak box.

"You may want to test this as well," he said. McGonagall opened the box.

"A locket?"

"Meredith received it among her gifts," Remus said tensely. "There was no card or note. She has no idea who sent it to her."

"My word," McGonagall, "you think he sent his own daughter a cursed locket?"

"I don't know," Remus said. "But I think it is best to air on the side of caution."

"You are right," McGonagall said. She took the box from him and tucked the broom under her arm.

"Remus," She said turning to go. "Perhaps it would be better if Meredith knew about Black. Perhaps it is time."

"No," Remus said adamantly. "I cannot put that on her right now. Minerva, she can't know." McGonagall looked doubtful but she nodded.

"Meredith is your daughter Remus, so it is your call. But, as your former teacher Remus I must advise you that it would be better if Meredith heard the truth from you. And soon."

"I know Minerva," he said. "I know I will not be able to keep this from her much longer. But…I am not ready." McGonagall nodded.

"I know Remus," she said. "We're never ready to lose them." Remus sat down on the sofa and sighed. He was suddenly very very tired.