Chapter 12: A Testament to Fairness

Willow was extremely frustrated. She was losing her best friend. If it weren't for classes, she'd have never seen Ginny. She inhaled her meals and either hid in the common room, library, or dormitory. Ginny would go to empty classrooms if she had to, anywhere to be alone. And what was Willow losing her best friend to you ask? A book.

A stupid, decrepit diary that entranced Ginny, or that's what it seemed to do.

Ginny was hiding and her grades were slipping. Willow couldn't help but worry. Her best friend had changed and it was not for the better. Ginny was jumpy and nervous. She would go missing and Willow could tell she cried sometimes.

But Willow couldn't help. She tried, she tried her very hardest. She didn't know what to do, what was wrong, or what was the cause of Ginny's distress. It was the Friday Remus had told her about and Willow was extremely distracted. She was still waiting to hear from Dumbledore and she was way too worried about Ginny. It was only three weeks into term and Willow was out of her mind with confusion.

As Willow sat with the twins for breakfast, the way she had taken to in the past week, she had an idea. She needed someone other than the twins and herself to be worried about Ginny. She couldn't tell Mr or Mrs Weasley because they would over react. Ron wouldn't know what to do. Charlie would be too busy and even then he's a bit hopeless in the advice department. But Bill, he could be some help.

Dear Bill,

How's Egypt and curse breaking? I'm a little worried about Ginny so I figured I'd write you. She's been really distracted and jumpy. She doesn't eat much and she's falling behind in classes. She's just not Ginny anymore; I think it has something to do with a diary she's been writing in. It might sound crazy, but I think it possesses her. Write to her for me, just ask her if she's okay, but don't tell your mom and dad!

Thanks much, Willow

She folded the parchment and went to the owelry. She tied it to Otter's leg and as he took off an out of breath George came up the steps.

"Dumbledore is looking for you. Said he'll wait for you in his office. Password is chocolate frogs," George informed her. As soon as it was out of his mouth, she gave him a hug before rocketing down the steps. She was at the stone gargoyle in seconds.

"Chocolate frogs!" she shouted. It moved out of her way and she ran up the stairs two at a time. She slowed down outside his office door to catch her breath, and then she calmly knocked on his door.

"Come in," he called. She opened the door and took a seat. "I have spoken to Remus and he has asked my permission to take you into Hogsmeade for lunch. He has my full confidence so if it is okay with you, I will allow you to go."

"Thank you sir! I would love to go."

"Well then he will be here shortly, but until then I believe it's time you hear about your mother." Willow immediately took out her diary and her quill. She got ready to write and stared expectantly at Dumbledore.

"Your mother arrived at Hogwarts as Diana Rowan, she came from a long line of pure-blooded, anti-muggle wizards. However, when the Sorting Hat was placed on her head, she was placed in Gryffindor making her the first in her family to not be in Slytherin in over two centuries.

"She had already befriended Noxa Plaver on the train and, even though they were in separate houses, they became fast friends. Your mother was a very kind witch and intelligent too. She was very gifted in Defense Against the Dark Arts. She once learned a rather, you might call it, unpleasant secret a classmate of hers was keeping that would usually result in instant prejudicial feelings, but not with your mother. No, she accepted him and helped him whenever he needed it.

"Your mother succeeded in school and studied hard. However, when her parents found out she was dating your father, a muggle-born, she was kicked out. She moved in with the Plavers until she graduated. She then got her own apartment in Diagon Alley and started her internship with Mr Ollivander.

"She interned for a year before she got married and moved out of Diagon Alley. She once told Ollivander that she did not want her own shop. She traveled and made her own wands. She would sell them to Ollivander who intern would sell them to customers. I do believe your wand is one of your mother's." Willow had to smile, was there anywhere her parents did not pop up?

"Your mother was attacked one day three years before your birth. She chose then to tell your father and the Order that she had been hiding from her family. That was the reason she did not open her own shop. Her brother, Tobias Rowan, had seen her at St. Mungo's when she went to visit Noxa after she had an accident. Tobias had been visiting his and Diana's ailing father who had died previously that day. He followed her until he could attack her unseen. Even caught by surprise, your mother was still able to suppress him with a stunning spell. When he was apprehended by Aurors he said 'My father deserved to know his blood traitor would pay.' He was arrested and remains in Azkaban to this day. Many considered your mother foolish because she went and visited him. No one really understood why or how, but she forgave him. He began writing her and I believe he has truly changed. He even confessed to being a Death Eater which is why he is still in Azkaban, but he is due to be released next year."

"When your mother first realized she was pregnant, she worked tirelessly for three months, securing supplies for the time when she could not travel. She then settled down at home, helping out the Order. She lived happily and comfortably for a very long time. But on one of her trips when you were about nine, she witnessed something. She never told anyone what it was, but she did tell me it would make a rivalry between your family and another very influential family.

"She became paranoid for a few moths. She made sure your Godmother and Godfather knew they might be needed. She made every plan she could for your future. She loved you very much Willow, always remember that."

"Sir, when you told me about my father you mentioned a friend, is he the same person with the secret, is that why he has more to do with my mother?"

"Yes, he is indeed."

"What was his secret?"

"Your mother discovered that he was a werewolf."

"Well, I can see what the prejudices were. But I definitely agree with my mother. But who was this friend?"

"You know him, my dear. The friend we speak of is Remus Lupin and he is your,"

"Godfather," said a voice from behind Willow. She turned to see Remus in the doorway. He looked sad and Willow knew why. He thought she would hate him, just like all the other prejudiced people. But she would prove him wrong.

"Are we done sir?" Willow asked Dumbledore.

"Yes, I think so." He said and looked at her approvingly. He knew she was not single-minded.

"Good because I'm going to lunch with my godfather. Thank you sir." She walked over to Remus and without a word she grabbed his hand and walked out of Dumbledore's office. She didn't even let go of his hand until they were passed the gates.

"Wait! You're okay with me being a werewolf?"

"Of course not," she said. He looked sad so she quickly continued, "I could never be okay with something so unfair. You are treated horribly because you go through a painful transformation every month that is out of your control. You are treated wrongly and unjustly. And you can't even change it because people can be real arses."

"As your godfather, I would have to scold you for improper language if you weren't so right. Where'd you get so smart, love?"

"Well I read a lot and if I've learned one thing about my mum it's that she was a very smart lady. If she thinks something is unfair, that should be a reason on its own."

"You are so much like her."

"So I've been told," Willow told him with a laugh.

"Well are you going to tell me about yourself? All Dumbledore has told me is that you're are living with the Weasleys," Remus said as they sat down in the Three Broomsticks.

"Well I'm eleven years old and my name is Willow Noxa Bryden."

"Ha ha, very funny. Come on! Take pity on your poor out-of-the-loop godfather! What has changed in two years?"

"'Kay, but remember I can only remember about three months! My favorite color is purple. I have an owl, Otter, and he's black and purple. I'm a proud Gryffindor and, even with that conceited twit, my favorite subject is Defense Against."

"You named your owl Otter? You are definitely Connor's daughter. So what about friends?"

"Well my best friends are Ginny, Fred, and George Weasley, oh and Luna Lovegood!"

"Lovegood? I haven't seen Luna in the longest time, not since, well you know. And are those boys' names I hear? You know you're too young for a boyfriend, right? But is there anyone I should know about?"

"My gosh! You're as bad as Bill! And that is saying something, Uncle Moony!"

"What did you just say?" Willow stopped. Uncle Moony? That's what she called him! She can remember someone else too though. Uncle Moony had bought her a book for her first birthday and someone had gotten her a broom. He was making fun of Remus.

"I remember someone else. Who's Uncle Pads?" Remus smiled for a minute, but it quickly disappeared. He tried to change the subject but Willow wouldn't hear of it. He told her the whole story, Sirius, Peter, James (Uncle Prongs), and Lily. She listened intently, but not believing Sirius's guilt. Why? Again she couldn't answer.

October 31st

Willow was told to run, but she tripped. She could hear the argument quite clearly. "Tell me if you witnessed my error?" screeched the hooded figure.

"Why whatever do you mean?" shouted Willow's mother sarcastically.

"Just tell me if you know!"

"No, and you should be proud!"

"No thanks. But no matter, I must finish what I was assigned to do. And better late than never, isn't that right? But I'll give you one more chance!"

"Tell me what you know and I shall not harm you." The figure proposed.

"Never!" said Willow's father.

"Well how about the girl then?"

"You'll never touch her you monster," screamed Willow's mum.

"I don't make any promises there." The figure raised her wand and the Brydens were no more.

"Willow wake up!" screamed Abigail Parker, Willow's roommate. "Come on! We've got to go. The feast is starting."

"Okay. Let's go. Ginny is probably hiding somewhere again, best go with out her."

After the feast, Willow was walking with Abigail when a large crowd stopped them. Willow scurried through until she found the twins. "Hey George, what's up?"

He looked conflicted; he knew it would upset her. He was very protective of her. But she needed to know. "Mrs Norris has been petrified."

Willow was able to glimpse the wall. She gasped and Fred put his arm around her shoulders.

The Chamber of Secrets Has Been Opened. Enemies of The Heir, Beware.

Author's Note: I am so sorry! It's been way too long since I last updated. But this is the longest chapter yet and we finally got to the beginning of the important things relating to the actual book. So yay! Read and review please.