Chapter 15

Disclaimer: The story's almost ending, and Harry Potter is still not mine.

Third-person P.O.V.

"Pyxis Raine, you're my daughter."

The two other occupants of the room kept their surprise to themselves, knowing the seriousness of the situation. Sirius waited patiently for a response, from his daughter whose face is blank. But that quickly melted to pure joy and relief before she flung herself to Sirius' arms, burying her face on his shoulder. Black hugged her back, surprised at how fast his daughter took it all in.

"But how? It all looks impossible. I came from like a totally different world. And how did I get back here?" Pyxis wiped her tears once she let go of Sirius.

"I'll explain everything on the way. We have to get you all back to the castle."

The four retraced their steps, the rivals leading the way, while the newly reunited father and daughter trailed behind. They were already by the tunnel when Sirius realised something.

"Wait a minute… Malfoy? Draco Malfoy?" The Slytherin turned to him.

"Yes, uh, that's me." To the three student's confusion, Sirius laughed.

"Let me guess, you're my daughter's best friend."

"What makes you say that?" His daughter asked.

"During the Quidditch matches, I saw that Harry hated you; but you, my dear, I wouldn't be surprised. Your mother is Snape's best friend even if he doesn't admit it." This time, Sirius was full out laughing.

"Really?"

"Oh, yes. Thick as thieves, those two, despite her being a Ravenclaw and him in Slytherin. They ended their friendship when they got in a fight though, when we were 16 I think. That was a dark day at Hogwarts, a lot of points were deducted." He shook his head.

"Can you tell me more about mum?"

"Amelie Caelum. She's a pureblood from Ravenclaw. She became Quidditch Captain when she was 4th year, excellent beater. Top of our class with Harry's mum and excellent Potion maker." Harry perked up at the mention of his mother.

"Oh, yes Harry. Lily and Amy used to be rivals, always competing in everything. But they sorted it out and became best friends."

"So mum is best friends with Harry's mum and Professor Snape?"

"Yes. Oh, and did I mention, she's 1/32nd Veela?" Pyxis stopped walking.

"You mean I'm 1/64th Veela?" Sirius slung an arm on her shoulder and guided her to walk.

"Why do you seem so surprised?"

"What's a Veela?" Harry asked, not understanding what the fuss is all about.

"Veelas are a race of semi-human, semi-magical humanoids reminiscent of the Sirens of Greek mythology. They are charming, and known for their beautiful voice and enchanting dances. Since most Veelas marry wizards, children of these unions inherit magical abilities from their fathers and beauty and charm from their mothers."

"Precisely. Amy was always flocked by boys from different years back at school; and that didn't stop even until we're married. You're a lot like her, you know."

Pyxis looked at her father doubtfully. Sirius saw this and smiled gently.

"Don't ever doubt yourself, Pyxis. You are brilliant."

"Thank you… Dad." She leaned on her father's side and he ruffled her hair affectionately.

.-.-.-..-…/.-..-..-../-.-..-..-…-/-…-…-.-.-.-

Pyxis

"Speaking of Veelas," I pulled out my wand. "my wand core is Veela hair." Sirius shone the light from his wand to take a look at mine.

"I knew it." He took my wand and examined it closely.

"What do you mean?"

"This wand has been passed on from generations to generations in your mother's family. The Veela hair was from your great-great-great grandmother and crafted by Mykew Gregorovitch. This is a very unique wand. They believe that the one it will chose will be the most exceptional member of the family. I was right, it chose you." He handed the wand back to me.

"But it was found in Ollivander's."

"We left it there, before the war began."

I kept on staring at the wand, thinking about the coincidence that Ollivander made me try it. It was a very small chance, knowing thousands of wands are there in the store, but it still found its way to me.

I dismissed the wand from my thoughts just in time to hear dad trying, and failing, to ask Harry to live with him.

"I understand, of course, if you want to stay with your aunt and-"

"What he's trying to say, Harry," I rolled my eyes at dad and he smiled sheepishly. "is if you want to stay with him after his name is cleared?"

"Leave the Dursleys?"

"Yes, Potter, I believe that's what they meant." Harry ignored Draco's remark.

"Of course! Have you got a house? When can I move in?"

"You mean it?" Dad grinned.

The rest of our way back was spent by us asking questions about everything. Bit by bit, everything was answered; the dots are connecting now.

My mum's father started it. He found out that there are other dimensions out there, so he formulated a way to cross these dimensions. But when he succeeded, the way back to this world wasn't quite perfect so he got trapped. That was what sparked my mum to continue what he started. My mother was working on opening different portals since their fifth year and the marauders finding out about it was a fortunate accident. Dad, according to him, was actually the one to figure how to make a return portal. They only finished it, right after they graduated Hogwarts.

When I was born, the rise of Voldemort began. So they began searching for a safe place, going from portal to portal, to hide me. It was almost too late, October 28, 1981, when she found somewhere suitable. That's the place I grew up in.

"Who opened the portal for Raine to go back here? It opened in the Manor." Draco asked.

"That would be me. I snuck in the Malfoy Manor to open the portal there."

"You snuck in?" I giggled at his befuddled expression.

"Yes, problem?"

"None at all. Just curious how you did it."

"I didn't actually sneak in. Cousin 'Cissy let me in. She and Amy are very close. I opened the portal there and told her to take care of you." He squeezed me a bit.

"Narcissa knows?" I exclaimed.

"Yes, but not of your relation to me. But I'm sure she figured it out right away. You look exactly like your mother."

"But why didn't she tell me?"

"I know, she's quite an actress, isn't she? But I saw that she bought you a lot of clothes, that's actually what she always does with Amy." He laughed and I shook my head.

"Very different from canon. Almost nothing's the same." I muttered. He just laughed again, Harry joining in this time. I even saw Draco smile.

"But how did I know to go to that portal? Was I under a Confundus Charm? And, more importantly, your timing's a bit off." I told him when they finished.

"What do you mean?"

"October 28, 1990. That's the day I was found."

"What? Are you sure?" He grabbed both my shoulders and I had clear view of his grey eyes. Fear. Pure, unadulterated fear. That's the only thing I saw in his eyes.

"Yes. I remember it was August 25, 2002 when I found the portal. It was our last day at our special classes."

"That can't be. All our calculations were correct." He let go of me and walked ahead a bit. I walked alongside Harry and Draco, my eyes on my father all the time. He kept on muttering things that we couldn't quite catch, so we left him alone to his thoughts.

"I could track you there." He stood in front of me. "Your mother made you drink a potion she made so we could keep tabs on where you are, so I'd know where to open the return portal." He resumed walking. "And I did a bit of magic, a very subtle Confundus Charm, so you would go to the portal." He stopped again, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "This is bad. Really, really bad."

"But Pyxis is here now, what's the big deal if you got the timing wrong?" Both dad and I turned to Harry at the same time, horrified looks on our faces.

"Awful things happen to those who meddle with time, Harry. I'm sure Hermione told you that." The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop it.

"No, I don't think she mentioned it." I facepalmed.

"That's not until later."

"This conversation is confusing." Draco voiced out. I walked to my dad, grabbing his arm, and dragging him far from the boys. "Stay there." I said to the two.

"I've been reading a book series called Harry Potter in the dimension I came from. That's why I know when to barge in your conversation earlier. The thing I told Harry earlier, about what Hermione said, that's just going to happen later tonight."

"You mean, you know what's going to happen in the future here?" I nodded.

"I can't believe it!" He exclaimed suddenly, making me take a few steps back.

"What?"

"You're really it!" He lifted my hair and touched my birthmark. "I've heard about the prophecy, we were convinced that it's you." He hugged me. "Come on, we're almost there." He yelled to the two and dragged me with him. But something's still bothering me.

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Where's mum?" His steps faltered the tiniest bit, but I caught it.

"Dad?" He just continued walking, which frustrated me.

"Dad, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"You're a horrible liar." He turned to me with a sad smile.

"I know." He prodded the tree trunk and climbed up. He pulled the three of us up and there is Professor Lupin, Ron, Pettigrew, Hermione, and Professor Snape who was still unconscious, waiting.

"Took you all long enough." Professor Lupin greeted. "But I trust everything's cleared?" The four of us nodded. I mouthed an 'I'll explain later' to Hermione and Ron.

Then a cloud shifted. There were suddenly dim shadows on the ground. Then we're illuminated by moonlight.

"Oh no." was all that came out of my mouth.

Dad froze. Lupin had gone rigid. Then his limbs began to shake.

"He didn't take his potion tonight! He's not safe!" Hermione gasped.

"Run." Dad whispered. "Run now."

I casted a spell to set Ron free, not caring if it changes anything. Professor Lupin transformed and dad transformed. As the werewolf wrenched itself free of the manacle binding it, the dog seized it around the neck and pulled it away from Ron and Pettigrew.

"Guys, come on!" That snapped Hermione and Draco back to reality and went to me.

"Harry, come on!" Hermione yelled, but he stood there, transfixed by the sight.

"Raine? What are we going to do?"

I saw Pettigrew dove for Lupin's wand. There was a bang, a burst of light, and Ron lay motionless on the ground.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry yelled, successfully disarming Pettigrew.

"Stay where you are!" Harry ran forward, but it was too late, Pettigrew already transformed and scurried away.

Lupin fled to the forest, leaving the large black dog laid down there, bleeding. I rushed to his side and whispered, "Dad, he rushed into the forest."

Hearing my word, he scrambled up again and went after Lupin.

"What did they do to him?" Harry and Hermione rushed beside Ron.

"We better get to the castle." Draco gestured to Professor Snape who's sprawled on the ground.

But we heard a yelping sound, a whining; a dog in pain.

I dashed to the lake, the three right behind me. It got colder as we got closer to the lake.

The yelping stopped. As we reached the lake, we saw why. Dad has transformed back. He was crouched down, his hands over his head.

"Nooo," he moaned. "Noooo… Please…"

I looked up and saw them. A hundred or so dementors gliding in a black mass around the lake toward us.

"Think of something happy!" I pointed my wand up.

The memory already started, the gunshot echoing in my ears.

Sirius Black is my biological father. I finally found my true dad.

"Expecto Patronum" Nothing happened.

Dad shuddered, rolled over, and lay motionless.

He's absolutely fine. He's in Goblet of Fire.

"Expecto Patronum" A thin wisp of silver came out of my wand.

"'Mione, Draco, help! Expecto Patronum!"

"Expecto-" Draco whispered. "Expecto-"

I heard the two trying really hard, but this is their first time to do this. Nothing happened. Hermione collapsed next to Harry.

"Raine-" Draco fell unconscious on the ground too.

"Expecto Patronum!" I fell down on my knees.

I just saw Harry's patronus, the stag, before I felt all the energy leave me and everything went black.

A.N.: Hey again, my dears! As promised, here's another chapter. I'm really determined to finish this before the year ends, because I'm about to get very busy at school. So, expect updates every Wednesday or Sunday, or both if I have time. I think this story still have 4 to 5 chapters left, so stay tuned!

And I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed this story so far! And to FangedMe, a guest reviewer, who said that he/she half saw the big reveal coming. I'm actually glad about that, because I've been dropping hints that I'm hoping everyone would catch. ;)

And, speaking of reviews, please REVIEW, my dears, I really love hearing from you!