I do not own Harry Potter. Charlotte Potter is my OC.

More Bad News

The moment she felt it was safe to leave the pub without running into the adults, Charlie took off. She swung her Invisibility Cloak over her body and hurried into Honeydukes. Through her blurred vision she managed not to bump into anyone as she went for the cellar door. Once she was in the passage she sprinted, her lungs burning and her heart racing. She did not remove her Cloak until she was in her common room.

Why me? Why my parents? Why did he betray them to Voldemort?

She wiped her tears away as a thought struck her. She went to her dorm and rummaged frantically in her trunk. "I know it's in here somewhere."

She found the photo album Hagrid had given her in her first year and started flipping frantically through the pages. Her fingers froze on the page that contained her parents' wedding photos.

There he was.

His face was fuller and not so frightening when he was laughing. The long, tangled hair he bore in his mug shot was much shorter in the recreational picture, but there was no denying that the man standing beside her father was Sirius Black.

She buried her face into her hands and sat on the floor, the album laying beside her. This was the position Hermione found her in when she raced into the dorm, red-faced and panting. "Charlie," she breathed. She knelt next to her friend and pulled her into a hug.

"It's horrible!" Charlie said, the anger coming fast and fierce. "He was their best friend and he left them to be killed! He killed my father, my mother, Peter Pettigrew and all those Muggles! Now he's trying to kill me! He's supposed to be my godfather!"

The rage crackled and Hermione jumped as the trunks in their dorm exploded, sending possessions scattering across the room. She increased her hold and said, "He's cruel and nasty and despicable. But please, Charlie, don't go looking for him!"

Charlie would not admit out loud that the idea was tempting to her. She was the perfect bait.

"Hermione, do you know what my life could have been like if he hadn't betrayed my parents?" she said, feeling all her energy drain from her body. "I wouldn't have needed to live with the Dursleys. I would have been raised in a loving household. I would have learned about the wizarding world way before I was eleven. I wouldn't hear Voldemort murdering my mother every time the Dementors come near me."

"If it weren't for your parents, Voldemort might still be here," said Hermione quietly.

"We don't know that for sure," Charlie protested.

"You were the one who defeated him. If Black had kept your secret, Voldemort would have slaughtered so many people in his search. You would hardly be able to leave your house. Who knows if someone would have managed to kill him?"

Charlie blinked back tears. "But it's not fair! My parents died and Voldemort is still going to come back. He's still out there, somewhere, waiting for his opportunity. What did they die for?"

"You," Hermione whispered softly. "You said that your mother's love is one of your greatest protections. She died in your place so that you could have a chance at life. A chance to do well and live. The first ten years may have been awful, but look where you are now! You've given people hope for thirteen years. To go off and look for Black would be foolish and undo everything your parents and Dumbledore have done for you."

"I'm not going to go after him," said Charlie tiredly. She was silent for a moment before saying bitterly, "He's the reason Harry was taken away from me."

"I know. But you're together now. You have the rest of your lives to make up for ten years."

"Yeah."

"Try not to be upset with the professors and Minister Fudge. They had their reasons for not telling you."

"Probably the same reasons Dumbledore and Remus have for not telling Harry and I that we're siblings," Charlie grumbled. "You know, I'm starting to dislike their reasons." She gave a long, exhausted sigh. "Will you help me clean up the mess I made?"

"Of course."

...

"You look terrible, mate."

"Not as bad as Harry does!" Charlie retorted.

The Golden Quartet were in the library, proofreading through one another's work. Harry frowned up at Charlie, dark circles under his eyes.

"I have something to tell you," Harry set aside his quill and lifted up his glasses so he could rub his eyes. "You know how Sirius Black was our father's best friend?"

Charlie nodded. "Kind of hard to forget that."

"Uncle Remus said he was a close friend to my parents. And since my parents are your parents too, that means—"

"Professor Lupin was close friends with Sirius Black as well!" Hermione finished with wide eyes. "That explains why Professor Snape is so suspicious of your uncle. Charlie, didn't you say Professor Snape hated you to begin with because he hated your father?"

"Yeah. I'm guessing all four of them were rivals with Professor Snape when they were in school," said Charlie slowly. "I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't even think—this is just as hard on you."

"It definitely sucks," said Harry softly. "I could never imagine doing that to you guys. How could he even call himself a best friend?"

"He can't," said Ron furiously.

They continued to work mostly in silence until Remus came into the library. Harry looked at him in surprise. "Is it time already?"

"It is."

"Sorry—I meant to meet you—"

"Don't worry about it, pup," said Remus with a smile, running his fingers through Harry's hair. "I'm in no rush."

Harry packed up his supplies and handed Hermione her assignments, which he had been reviewing. "It's great at always, Hermione."

"Are you sure?" asked Hermione anxiously.

"Positive."

They exchanged a round of hugs. "Have a great Christmas, Harry," said Charlie, embracing him tightly.

"I will. Don't have too much fun without me."

"Impossible," claimed Ron. "I'm with them."

Remus grinned at the glares the two girls sent the redhead. "Happy Christmas, you lot."

They waved after the pair as they left the library. When they were gone Ron grabbed his supplies and shoved them into his bag. "Harry is gone which means the Christmas holiday has officially started. What do you want to do?"

"We could visit Hagrid," suggested Charlie.

"All right," said Hermione.

They arranged to meet Ron in the Entrance Hall and they went to their dorms to put away their stuff. The trio trudged through the heavy white powder towards the hut and Charlie's eyes trailed the pawprints winding through the snow.

I really hope Fang made those.

"You won't mention anything to Hagrid, right?" pressed Hermione.

"What? Oh. No, Hermione. I won't."

"Why would she?" asked Ron in bewilderment. "She'd just be landing herself in trouble."

They reached the hut and Hermione rapped on the door. Hagrid opened it a minute later, his face streaked with tears. "What's wrong?" asked Charlie urgently.

They filed into Hagrid's home and the man collapsed into a chair. He silently handed them a letter and the three read it carefully.

It detailed that while the Ministry believed that Hagrid was not responsible for the incident, they had decided to continue investigating the complaint filed by Lucius Malfoy in regards to Buckbeak. A hearing would be held in April, and until then, Buckbeak needed to be contained and isolated.

"What complaint?" roared Ron. "Malfoy barely got touched! There is no complaint!"

Charlie peered out the window and frowned sadly at Buckbeak, who was alone and tied next to the pumpkin patch. "Don't worry Hagrid, we'll help you out."

"Bu' Lucius Malfoy has the Committee wrapped around his finger!" Hagrid wailed. "Buckbeak doesn' stand a chance. If he loses…" He wasn't able to get out the words and demonstrated by slicing a finger across his throat.

"We'll just have to make sure you won't lose," said Charlie strongly. "Ron will probably be called in, since he was the student who was attacked."

"You know I'll defend you and Buckbeak, Hagrid!" Ron said earnestly.

"I'm sure there are some cases on Hippogriffs I can look up in the library!" Hermione exclaimed. "We can prepare notes and everything for you, Hagrid."

Hagrid wiped his red-rimmed eyes. "Thank yeh...can' go teh pieces now. It's jus' a lot teh take in, with Sirius Black roamin' round the castle, Buckbeak, an' no one likin' me classes—"

"We like them very much!" Hermione quickly lied.

"Yes, I do enjoy the Flobberworms," Ron agreed. "How are they?"

"Dead, I'm afraid," Hagrid said forlornly. Charlie rolled her eyes as Ron struggled to hold back a laugh and elbowed him in the ribs. Hagrid continued on, not having seen Ron's amusement. "An' those Dementors...have teh walk pas' 'em whenever I wan' a drink from the Three Broomsticks. It's jus' like bein' in Azkaban again."

Charlie, Ron and Hermione exchanged glances. Hagrid had been sent to Azkaban for a short time in their second year and hadn't ever talked about it. "Is it awful there, Hagrid?" Hermione finally asked.

"Terrible. Yeh live yer wors' memories over an' over again. The ruddy Dementors suck out all the happiness. I've bin thinkin' about jus' lettin' Buckbeak go. But I don' want teh go teh Azkaban again. Never again."

Charlie set a hand against his shoulder. "Everything will be fine, Hagrid."

Azkaban wasn't a place for people like Hagrid. The dark, depressing, cement cells should be reserved for those who committed the vilest of crimes—Sirius Black most of all.

...

"Have we any students in the castle for Christmas this year?" Dumbledore asked as he entered the staff room. His Heads of House were gathered around the wooden table, which held two pieces of parchment; both of them very short.

"Almost everyone has chosen to go home," Sprout informed him.

"I don't blame them," McGonagall sighed. "With Sir Cadogan as guard to Gryffindor Tower my Lions probably want a vacation away from him. He's completely mad! When will the Fat Lady return?"

"Minerva, my dear, if you narrowly avoided being slashed to bits you would be reluctant to return as well," Dumbledore said tiredly. With needing to handle the Dementors and keeping an eye on Charlotte, he was getting much less sleep than normal. "You said 'almost everyone'. Who are the few brave students that are staying?"

"Do you really need to ask?" Snape drawled.

"Only three students wanted to stay; Charlotte, Ronald and Hermione," Flitwick said.

"Harry would have stayed if Remus hadn't whisked him off to his own home," added Sprout.

Though he had already known Charlie, Ron and Hermione would be staying over the holidays, Dumbledore did not anticipate for them to be the only students in the castle. His brow furrowed with deep concern, for the three would be mostly alone and that did not sit well with him, especially considering that the students in question were three-fourths of the Golden Quartet. Black had already tried to break into Gryffindor Tower once and Dumbledore was not at all comforted by the fact that Ron would be by himself in the Tower during the night.

Then there was the matter of Charlotte. All Black needed to get into Ravenclaw Tower, should he realize his mistake, was a sharp intellect, which Dumbledore knew Black possessed.

McGonagall had known Dumbledore for many years, and knew by the pinch between his blue eyes that he was troubled. "I can stay with Weasley, and Granger and Potter can stay in the girl's dormitory if they'd like—"

"Or I could stay with the girls and make sure nothing happens," Flitwick offered.

"No," Dumbledore said. "I'm sure the children would not appreciate being monitored twenty-four/seven."

"It doesn't matter what they think," said Snape in annoyance. "Perhaps keeping them under constant surveillance will ensure they stay out of trouble."

"I think I might have a solution. Severus, if I may have a word?"

The other Heads of House took their cue and filed out of the staff room. Snape eyed Dumbledore warily, knowing he wasn't going to like whatever the elderly wizard had to say. "Yes, Albus?"

"I know this is a lot to ask of you, but since you were going to go to Spinner's End for Christmas this year—"

"No."

"I haven't even finished my sentence!"

"You want to know if I can take the insufferable brats with me." Severus crossed his arms with a scowl. "I will not have a Gryffindor running rampant in my house. Why can't you keep watch over them? Better yet, why don't I stay here and assign them all a two-week detention?"

"This is a large castle, and I have my own jobs to do. Charlotte knows Sirius Black is after her—"

Snape's gaze sharpened. "Who told her?"

"Filius and I thought it would be for the best, in the hopes of curbing her habit of wandering the castle during the night. What I did not know is that Arthur Weasley told Charlotte before she boarded the train. Or, should I say, he attempted to. She had overheard his discussion with Molly and was already aware. He mentioned it when he wrote his concerns about the children staying behind."

"He's worried they'll do something stupid and go after him," Severus said with narrowed eyes.

"He believes they might be tempted to investigate his location," said Dumbledore carefully. "It is in their nature to be helpful and to protect others with little regard to their own wellbeing, Charlotte especially."

It was not a farfetched scenario. After all, Potter had taken it upon herself to go after the Philosopher's Stone and to take on the Basilisk. Her friends were not far behind when she ventured off towards danger.

"I cannot watch over them every second of every day, and neither can their Heads of House," continued Dumbledore. "I believe they will be safest under consistent supervision and far away from Black."

The idea of having the children in his home was highly unappealing. But so was the thought of Potter running headfirst into Black's clutches, and if that happened, Lily would never forgive him for refusing what was a relatively simple task.

"Fine," he said shortly. "I will inform them."

"Thank you, Severus." Dumbledore smiled. "Perhaps you will find they are rather remarkable children."

"With all due respect, Albus, I don't believe in Christmas miracles," said Snape flatly.

...

The knowledge of Hagrid's hearing and the reality that Buckbeak would lose his life if the hearing was lost caused Ron, Charlie and Hermione to return to the library. They poured through several books on trials and hearings on magical creatures. Ron decided to make some notes on what he might say if he was called to be a witness. They were so engrossed in their work that they didn't notice Snape approach their table. He paused to regard them, at the intensity in their eyes as they flipped quickly through books and scribbled madly against parchment.

The quiet atmosphere was broken as Crookshanks streaked by Snape. Ron took one look at the cat, his gaze zeroing in on his fleeing rat, and he let out a furious shout. He dove to the floor, his hands folding protectively over Scabbers, and Crookshanks angrily clawed at his skin.

"Hermione! Your stupid cat!"

"Crookshanks is not stupid!" Hermione took hold of her pet and lifted him into his arms. "No, Crookshanks, you can't hurt Ron's rat!"

Pince swept around the corner, eyes flashing, but came to a halt when Snape raised a hand, indicating he would handle the situation.

Ron scrambled to his feet, his skin littered with red scratches, and glowered at Hermione. "I thought you were keeping that monster locked up!"

"Crookshanks can't stay in the dorm forever!" Hermione protested. "He needs to be let out. I thought Scabbers was in your own dorm."

"He was! I left him there because it's too cold in the corridors for him. Your cat must have gotten into Gryffindor Tower and spooked him."

"That's ridiculous."

Ron thrust Scabbers out for Hermione to examine. "It is not! Look at him! He's skinnier and his fur is starting to fall out! The stress is getting to him and it's all because of your cat!"

"Mr. Weasley, cats chase mice," interjected Snape, and the three kids jumped, not prepared to hear his voice. "It's what they do. You cannot blame Miss Granger for what a cat's nature is."

Ron sent an annoyed glare at Hermione. "Yes, sir," he muttered.

"Are you three aware that you are the only students left in the castle?" Snape inquired.

"We were wondering where everyone was," Charlie mused.

"Faulty observation aside, Dumbledore has ordered me to take you three to Spinner's End for the Christmas holidays so you don't cause any trouble."

"Spinner's End?" Hermione asked curiously.

"My home, Miss Granger."

Charlie frowned. "You don't have to do that. We won't cause trouble."

"I find that very difficult to believe," drawled Snape. "In any case, there is no choice in the matter. I expect you in my office in an hour. Do not be late."

Snape waited for their acknowledgement before sweeping out of the library. Ron groaned. "Christmas with Snape. I can't believe this."

"I'm sure it won't be as bad as you're imagining it to be," said Hermione with a roll of her eyes.

"We'll see," he muttered. He sent Hermione a frown as he added, "I'm taking Scabbers with me."

Hermione pressed her lips together and nodded stiffly. With Crookshanks under one arm she collected the books she had been reading and went to put them back on the shelves. Charlie shook her head at Ron. "It's not her fault."

"Well, she bought that cat, so I fault her for that."

When they cleaned up their work area they went to their dorms to pack. Ron took up most of the hour allotment, having no clue what to bring with him to amuse himself for two weeks and wishing he had left with his brothers and Ginny.

They arrived in Snape's office on time and the Potions Master gave a nod of approval. He held out a vase full of Floo powder and said, "I assume you all know how to use the Floo." He noticed Charlie stare at the fireplace with apprehension. "Is there a problem, Miss Potter?"

"No," she said quickly. There was no need for him to know she'd only used the Floo twice and had a fifty percent success rate.

One by one they dragged their trunks up to the fireplace and took some Floo powder. When it was Charlie's turn, she took a breath before tossing the powder into the flames, turning them a bright green. She braced herself for the soot and said, "Spinner's End!"

It was strong and clear and Charlie felt a swell of relief as she was whisked away. She would hate to have explain to a random family why she tumbled out of their fireplace.