AN:

It's been forever, I know, I'm sorry. But as promised, this story hasn't been abandoned, and it never will. I very easily lose track of time, it's a problem.

Hope everyone enjoys, quite a bit of important happenings this chapter. And an interaction I think a lot of you will be happy with.


Sidenote: reviews at the bottom


They had just finished one of the most subdued breakfasts the current students at Hogwarts had ever consumed, when she was approached by Deputy Headmistress McGonagall. "Miss Black," A touch to her elbow had Lillian offering her friends a reassuring grin before following after the stern looking woman, "I believe you have an appointment with Dumbledore."

"I do." Lillian conceded, keeping a step behind the elder witch, keeping quiet up to the point where they stood before the stone gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office.

Knowing she was in need of an out to this meeting with Dumbledore before she was confined to his office and subjected to his meddlesome accusations, Lillian regarded the witch beside her with a calculating calmness that nearly unsettled the deputy headmistress.

"Miss Black?" McGonagall queried when the girl had yet to step onto the spiraling staircase.

Lillian needed a reason to leave the Headmaster prior to his willingness to see her gone, a reason the old wizard couldn't refute, and what better excuse than that of his second in command. "Professor, might I come by your office once Headmaster dismisses me? I have something I would like to discuss with you."

Intrigued and mildly startled, McGonagall pondered that request for a moment before ducking her head in acquiescence, "I'll see you in my office in thirty minutes, Miss Black."

"My gratitude, Professor." And with her escape planned, she stepped into the phoenix's den, spine straight, mind strong.

The pleasantries didn't last long; she didn't even have time to great Fawkes, before Dumbledore began his accusations. "Had you any awareness of your father's nearness?"

"I did not." She answered without inflection and without offering any further. She would get through this meeting by giving the Headmaster as little as necessary.

"If you had known of your father's proximity, would you have informed someone?" The notorious twinkle was noticeably absent from the wizened wizard's cool blue eyes.

Lillian quirked a brow, "I couldn't say, Headmaster, for how am I to accurately predict my actions based on circumstances that haven't occurred?"

Dumbledore's thin mouth twitched downwards, though he seemed to catch himself before he could outwardly express his displeasure. "So you had no knowledge of Sirius Black's nearness, and as such, you admit no guilt in helping to assist him into the castle?"

"Are you implying that I helped him into the school, Professor?"

A short pause, "Of course not, my dear. I am merely inquiring as to whether or not you spotted anything odd during your day in Hogsmeade. We suspect he may have lingered around town."

"I haven't seen, nor spoken, to my father since the summer months, Professor. And though you suspect me of something suspicious, I've witnessed nothing that would lead me to believe my father was close by. I'm sorry I can't be of more assistance to you, but I'm afraid nothing I know can be of purpose. And with all due respect, sir, but how could I help someone whom I didn't know was there to help, Headmaster?" She replied carefully, careful because had her control slipped even just a tad, she could be accused of recalcitrance, and she couldn't afford the scrutiny that would follow any obvious rebellion on her part.

Another twitch to his mouth, this time more prominent, and his tone was prominently less friendly when he spoke next. "As evidenced by your outburst earlier this year, it is known that you accuse your father of innocence. Is it so farfetched to believe your accusation would have you supporting his endeavors – whatever those endeavors may be?"

"If any accusation was made, Headmaster, it would be those against my father, for surely nothing could have been proven without the evidence garnered by a trial and a veritaserum confession pass the lips of the accused." The old wizard stuttered, "And regardless of my accusations, I owe nothing to my father beside my blood and name; to what benefit would I obtain should I have helped him access Hogwarts?"

Dumbledore collected his thoughts before he found his tongue, obviously falling victim to house prejudice by accepting her need to gain something from a relationship as a slytherin, even over family loyalty; the old wizard so readily forgets that loyalty to ones' blood was the foremost rule within pureblood society – betray your family and you might as well have become the monstrous equivalent to the dark lord.

"All that into consideration, if you were to come across knowledge of someone who had assisted your father in crossing school grounds, you would surely come forth with that knowledge to take suspicion off of yourself, correct?"

Lillian's brows furrowed, "What exactly are you hinting at, Headmaster?" Because she didn't like where his words led her thoughts.

"Just that, as sure as you are of your father's innocence, it cannot be an absurd conclusion to make that you are not the only one. Say, a close friend to your father?"

A tightening in her gut as she realized just what the old wizard was prodding at. He wanted her to point a finger at Remus, practically a brother to her father, her own godfather. Lillian could see how it made sense to sacrifice Remus; without a sacrificial lamb, Dumbledore would face scrutiny and examination over having allowed Sirius Black into the place that housed some of their worlds' most influential children. Dumbledore needed a scapegoat, and if it couldn't be Sirius Black's own daughter, then it could be Sirius Black's best friend, the one who just so happened to have the misfortune of being a werewolf.

Lillian utilized every ounce of her Slytherin being to keep her expression bland and unconcerned when her magic was all but broiling beneath her skin, blistering her nerves in an attempt to escape her control and lash out at the being threatening her family. Loyalty to family above all else, and despite the circumstances of her life after her mother's death and her father's incarceration, despite being raised a Malfoy for the majority of her existence, she still remembered calling Remus Lupin family, and thus he was claimed by her as kin.

She would sooner snap her wand than betray the man she had loved like a father as a babe.

"My sincerest apologies, Headmaster, but I can make no such accusations to any person within or outside of these walls. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm afraid I have a meeting to attend with Professor McGonagall, and it would be terribly rude to be late."

Dumbledore frowned deeply but waved a hand dismissively, "Of course, child. Do be on your way, but remember what we discussed, yes? Should your stance on the matter change, or you encounter new information, you'll come to me as I am the proper authority on such matters."

Lillian left the meeting with agreement upon her lips and a lie in her lion heart; pondering on the thought of whether or not the golden Gryffindor boy could ever find peace or comfort whilst within the claws of the manipulative old wizard.


PoA


"You wanted to speak with me, Miss Black, in regards to what, exactly?" McGonagall wondered after Lillian had settled into the seat opposite to her desk.

"I would like to make use of my knowledge of your subject and offer myself as a tutor to those you would deem in need of my skill." Lillian offered calmly.

"You have excellent marks, Miss Black, I'm afraid extra marks would do you no benefit." McGonagall challenged.

Lillian shook her head, "I'm not looking for extra marks, Professor, nor am I searching for points towards my house. I'm merely offering my services to you."

The Lion's Head of house narrowed her eyes, head tilted minutely as the elder witch studied her closely, and with a scrutiny not out of place on a Slytherin. "Why do you wish to do this?" Because it wasn't often that Minerva was approached by a student looking to help others in such a manner; on the rarest occasion she had asked an older student to assist any of their peers struggling to pass, but never had someone volunteered, and never a Slytherin.

"May I be completely honest with you, Professor?" Because unlike with Dumbledore, Lillian wasn't afraid to show McGonagall her agenda, not when the woman was so staunchly protective of her lion cubs.

McGonagall gave a quick nod, knowing the risks of an honest Slytherin but willing to chance it. "To ingratiate myself to you, in a manner that would see you second guess any accusations made against me in the future."

McGonagall's brows rose in obvious surprise, honesty she expected, blatant acknowledgment of a hidden agenda, she did not; and she frowned at the subtle acknowledgment of just why Albus had wanted to see the girl. "Are you under the impression that my favor will become necessary, Miss Black?"

"With all respect, Professor McGonagall, for a child of my name, house, and stature, when would your favor not ever be a boon?"

McGonagall could do nothing but smile at the bold nature of Lillian's speech. So much like her mother, the Hufflepuff whose flagrant boldness was what originally enticed the incorrigible Sirius. So many people looked upon Lillian and saw her father, Minerva was just one of very few who could observe just how much of her mother was replicated in the young girl as well.

"One could never accuse you of not being clever." McGonagall conceded.

"Too clever to tutor the younger students?" A challenge voiced innocently enough, but with the hidden purpose of daring McGonagall's lion spirit into accepting her offer. Minerva barely stifled the urge to laugh at the girl's wit.

"You are not just the brightest student of your year, Miss Black, but you may very well be the brightest student in the whole of Hogwarts. I would be delighted to accept your offer. I'll observe first how you interact with the students in need of extra guidance, and should I like what I see, your tutelage will be mandated for those pulling anything below Acceptable. And your house will be rewarded two points for every session, we wouldn't want your assistance to be misconstrued as anything less than it is."

"I'm truly appreciative of the chance you're taking on me, Professor." Though they both knew there wasn't really any risk to be had to begin with. "I plan on offering my services to Professor Lupin, as well as continuing on with my assistance to Professor Hagrid. That being said, I'll set up a time in the library for two nights per week once I've determined the needs and availability of any potential students."

Inexplicably charmed by her behavior and forethought, McGonagall couldn't help the quiet chuckle that escaped her. "I believe Professor Lupin is in his office currently, if you wish to catch him before lunch."

"Much appreciated, Professor." And with that the dark haired girl was gone, leaving her office with a graceful air that was reminiscent of none but herself, for neither of her parents possessed such an easy grace.


PoA


Her conversation with Professor Lupin went much the same way as her conversation with Professor McGonagall, the only difference being the warmth in his pale green gaze and the fury felt on her behalf when it was hinted at that she was accused of helping her father. He also didn't ask her why she was requesting to assist him, one of the smartest wizards of his time, he could make a few intuitive leaps; and the fact that it was necessary that she indebt herself to others not Dumbledore in order for her to survive, it pissed off the beast within.

What really stood out from her meeting with McGonagall was Lupin's stopping her before she could depart. "Miss Black," Lupin called out to her just before she could pass the door to his office. She paused, turning to look at him from over her shoulder, brow quirked, expression calm. "I wish for you to be aware, even had you not offered your services, should you have needed assistance in any future dealing, I would have readily given it."

Because she was his goddaughter, part of his pack despite their lack of relation now, and the beast inside of him grew crazed at the thought of any harm befalling the young girl who had once fearlessly crawled into his den to nap beside the beast even he feared.

"I would not want you to be accused of favoritism, Professor," Lillian rebuffed quietly, somberly, "I won't be used against you should the school choose to turn on you." And by school she meant Dumbledore, for the wizard possessed within his repertoire so much political sway that it was by his word Lupin had gained his position, and it would be by the denouncing of Lupin's character that Remus would lose everything he had managed to claim as his own in the twelve years since he had been ousted as a child of the moon and the Marauders had been betrayed.

"Little cub," The long-abandoned nickname had a sharp pain twisting her heart, his voice a broken rasp that spoke of his own pain at the relationship he was forced to let go, "I would denounce my very name if it meant any part of your continued freedom."

The admission shored her strength, comforted her in an immeasurable way. To have Remus Lupin's unyielding support, to have his favor over that of even Harry Potter, she would never be able to express to him just how much that simple claim would forever mean to her. If she had been anyone else, she would have run to him, thrown her arms around his waist and attempted to mold herself into the shape of his aura so that she could forever shelter herself within his offered protection.

"I would never ask that of you, Papa Wolf." Tears shone in the weathered man's eyes as he heard everything she would never be able to say within the title spoken. She remembered him, and despite his absence from her life, and despite her inability to confide in him, her inability to trust in him the way Harry Potter seemed to do so easily, so desperately, she always had and always would continue to love him as the godfather she had so unequivocally treasured as a baby.


AN:

THANKS TO ALL WHO READ, REVIEWED, FAVORITED, ETC. YOU ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL REMAIN TO BE AWESOME.

Review Responses:

Guests, Kayla Ashly, Bubbles, BitterSweet256, Pysco-babydoll, DareQueen, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR REVIEWING. It really means the world to me. You are my inspiration to kick my butt in gear.

ArtandMusicDubs2: I'm so glad you appreciate the subtleness of Lucius's affections. I try hard to make sure he stays in line with how he was portrayed from Harry's POV but all of his little nuances inherently different from an insider's POV. I'm glad you like her wit. I hope you enjoyed her cunning in this chapter, especially when dealing with Dumbledore. It's ironic that you wonder what it'd be like had she grown up with Sirius, because I just had that thought a little bit ago, about whenever I get this arc completed maybe I should do an alternate AU off of it. I'm really glad you like Devon's friendship with the twins, I've got a lot more planned for it, but a lot of her relationship with them really needs to be witnessed in the Extras but I've been exquisitely horrible about maintaining those. haha. Well, Blaise and Lillian will definitely be evolved for their age. You and me both! There will most definitely be progression in GoF I think. And that's actually what's most important to her, she doesn't care what anybody thinks of her, and with such a solid group of friends, she doesn't really need anybody else. That won't stop her from making more friends though!

iblamegreenberg: I don't know how frequent confrontation will be, but know in the later installations there will be Black Family pain aplenty.

Tinsela: She'll definitely have some more experiences with dementors. I think Slytherins get a bad rep, I have this head canon that they're intensely loyal to their own because their so hated by the other houses. I'm glad you like Lucius, it's difficult to change him to my benefit but still keep him believable based on the typical Harry POV of Lucius. Narcissa will be featured more, I just, haven't really had a chance to get involved with her character much. Hope your patience has been well-rewarded. I'll do my best not to fail so fantastically at updating in the future.

LovelySakura777: I'm sure you're feeling better by now but Hope you feel better! haha. I'm glad you think so highly of Lillian. She is pretty excellent with her magic. Genuity is highly important to Lillian, everything else is such a huge lie that one of the most important things to her is cultivating relationships she can put her trust in. She doesn't have time for fake people. haha. Hope her initial interactions with Minerva and Lupin weren't disappointing. If you were angry at Dumbledore last chapter, how did this one make you feel? Her friends are most definitely going to be essential to her well-being.


See you next time! I'll do better at updating...hopefully.

Have a great week!

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