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

Another Year, Another Summer

Charlie fidgeted in her sleep. Something heavy was sitting on her chest and she was having trouble breathing. Her green eyes fluttered open and she nearly shrieked upon seeing her house-elf leaning close to her face, smiling happily. "Dobby!"

"Miss is awake!" Dobby said cheerfully. Charlie inhaled deeply when he hopped off her chest and landed beside her bed. "Dobby was worried!"

"I'm fine, Dobby. Did you get the Hippogriff to Bill safely?" she asked in a whisper.

"Yes." Dobby nodded earnestly. "Dobby made sure Bill Wheezy knew that Charlotte Potter wanted to keep this a secret!"

"Thank you," Charlie said gratefully. "I really appreciate it."

"Anything for Charlotte Potter!" Dobby said with a bow. "Dobby will be seeing Miss before she leaves?"

"Of course, Dobby."

The house-elf left and Charlie sat up. The sun filtered through the high glass windows and her friends were also waking up, stretching their arms and yawning. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" she joked.

Harry wrinkled his nose and threw his pillow at her. "It was awful."

Ron scowled. "You're not the one who got his leg nearly bitten off."

"He wasn't trying to bite your leg off, Ron."

Ron took a quick look around the infirmary. "Shouldn't your uncle be back by now?"

"He came back at dawn," Harry informed them. "He woke me up and I told him everything that happened—well, almost everything. He was pretty upset. I told him we're all fine and that it wasn't his fault."

"Good. I don't blame him in the slightest. Now how are we going to convince Madam Pomfrey to let us out of here? I need to see Sirius and talk to Professor Snape," said Charlie.

"Madam Pomfrey!" called Ron. "Can we please go now?"

The medic-witch swept out of her office with a serious expression. "Depends on how your wounds have healed over the night."

She gave them a thorough check-up and sent them off when she deemed them healthy. The four kids ran into Hagrid as they wandered the corridors. He was elated to see them. "Yer okay!"

"Perfectly fine," Hermione assured him.

"This is great news! An' I have more. Guess what happened teh Buckbeak?"

Charlie did her very best to look curious. "What happened to Buckbeak?"

"He escaped! I mus' not have tied the knot properly." Hagrid smiled widely. "I've bin celebratin' all night!"

"That's great!" Hermione exclaimed. "That ought to bother Mr. Malfoy."

"I wish I could be there to see his face when he gets the news," Ron said dreamily.

"Fer a while, I was concerned Lupin might o' got a hold o' him. I know he can' help it, an' I understand, bu' I'm glad Buckbeak managed teh—"

"What do you mean got a hold of him?" Harry asked sharply.

"I didn' mean anythin' by it," said Hagrid quickly. "Lupin's a good man, Harry, an' yeh won' hear me say otherwise. I don' care that he's a werewolf."

"Snape," growled Harry.

"He blabbed teh the Slytherins this mornin'," confirmed Hagrid. "Everyone knows Lupin is a werewolf. He's packin' up right now teh leave."

Harry sprinted off and his friends hastily followed after him. "Are you going to see your uncle or kill Snape?" asked Ron.

"Haven't decided yet," said Harry with a snarl.

Charlie grabbed his arm to bring him to a halt. "Wait!"

"I can't believe it," said Harry, shaking with fury. "Just because Sirius, Dad and the rest pulled a stupid joke on him in school, he's ruining Uncle Remus' life."

"It wasn't a stupid joke," said Charlie calmly. "If Dad hadn't gone after Professor Snape, Remus very well could have killed him. If Draco had done that to you, or to me, or Ron or Hermione, would you forgive him?"

Harry stood still for a minute, breathing heavily. "No," he finally admitted. "No, I wouldn't. Not ever."

"But that doesn't make what Snape did right," snapped Ron.

"Of course it doesn't. But I think…I think I understand why. If you knew Draco was a werewolf, would you keep it a secret, Ron?"

"Absolutely not," said Ron at once.

"I think Professor Snape did some terrible things to them when they were in school, and I think they did some terrible things back."

Hermione nodded. "Professor Snape just couldn't be the bigger person. I don't think he can, when it comes to the Marauders."

"He's a bully," said Ron with a scowl.

"But we don't have to be ones in return," said Charlie softly. "Antagonizing Professor Snape over this, even if he deserves it, won't do us any favours. It won't help Remus."

"At least he didn't tell the Minister Remus changed into a werewolf while we were around him," pointed out Hermione. "Surely he connected the dots when he didn't see Remus anywhere near us."

Harry felt ice course through his veins. If Snape had told them the whole story, that he had changed into a werewolf without his potion, it would be cause for investigation. A suitable reason to remove Harry from Remus' custody.

"I'm going to see Uncle Remus," he said at last.

"I'll come with you," offered Charlie.

"I'm starving," said Ron. "But give him my best, yeah?"

"I'll stay with Ron," spoke Hermione. "We'll see you later."

The raven-haired girl followed her brother to Remus' office. Harry didn't bother to knock and opened the door, where he found his guardian packing the last of his items into a suitcase. "You didn't tell me!" Harry accused. "You didn't say a word when you came to see me!"

Remus went over to him, running his fingers through Harry's short hair. "Sorry, pup. But you went through a lot last night and I figured you could wait until you came home for summer holidays for me to tell you I resigned."

"You're the best Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor we've ever had," said Charlie sadly. "Can't Professor Dumbledore do something?"

"Professor Dumbledore didn't fire me," said Remus gently. "But I think it would be for the best if I left. Since Snape let it slip—"

"Oh please, Snivellus knew exactly what he was doing. He deliberately sabotaged you." Sirius sauntered into the room, looking happier than he'd ever been. The man smiled fondly, ruffling Charlie's hair and squeezing Harry's shoulder. "Thank Hermione for me. She really saved my skin."

"Sirius," Remus said warningly. "You shouldn't talk bad about one of their professors, no matter how much you hate him."

"Are you sure you don't want me to hex him for you?"

"No. The last thing you need is to land yourself back in Azkaban." Remus rolled his eyes and snapped his suitcase shut.

"You're not just leaving because Professor Snape told everyone you're a werewolf, are you?" Charlie asked.

"By this time tomorrow, hundreds upon hundreds of letters will be pouring in, telling Dumbledore they don't want a monster teaching their children. I don't want him to have that hassle."

Sirius snorted. "You know Dumbledore doesn't care."

"I do. I could have bitten any of you last night. I won't let that happen again," Remus said firmly. His expression softened and he said, "Charlie, I heard you drove off the Dementors."

"From who?" asked Charlie, discreetly giving Harry a scolding pinch.

"No one. I just assumed—who else could it have been?"

"Oh." Charlie managed not to make a face as Harry gave her a retaliating pinch back. "Yeah. I couldn't have done it without your lessons."

"What form did it take?"

"It was a unicorn."

Remus laughed. "You know, your father's Patronus was a stag. Just like his Animagus form."

"Neat!" A thought occurred to Charlie and she asked hopefully, "Remus, do you think I could have the Marauder's Map back?"

"I haven't seen that thing in years. We made some good memories with it," said Sirius. There was a mix of wistfulness and bitterness in his gaze, for those memories that he treasured were now tainted, for Peter Pettigrew was intricately a part of all of them.

"You know, I really shouldn't be giving this to you, considering your penchant for getting into life-threatening danger." But Remus removed the map from his drawer and handed it to her. "But I think James would have wanted you to have it. Along with his Cloak, which I managed to rescue from the Shrieking Shack."

Charlie beamed as he held out her shimmering Invisibility Cloak. "Thanks so much!"

"And this is where Lily would kill us," Sirius chuckled.

"Use that stuff responsibly," Remus warned. "No getting yourselves in danger or snooping where you shouldn't be." He looked pointedly at Harry, who grinned sheepishly.

"Yes, Uncle Remus."

There was a knock on the door and Dumbledore strode in. "Remus, your carriage is at the gates." The man looked sternly at Sirius. "And you were supposed to have been in my spare quarters."

Sirius grinned. "Since when did I ever follow the rules?"

Dumbledore shook his head with a slight smile. "You may escort Remus to the front doors, but no further."

"It's like I'm twelve again," Sirius muttered with a pout.

"You're acting like it," said Remus with a laugh. "Come on, pup. You can walk me to the gates." He paused by Charlie, setting a hand gently against her shoulder. "I'm sure we will see each other soon, Charlie. Try to have a good summer."

Charlie mustered a smile. "I will. See you later, Remus."

They departed and Charlie sunk into a spare chair, the happiness falling from her expression as her thoughts weighed heavily on her mind.

"What's the matter, Charlotte?" Dumbledore asked softly.

"Professor Trelawney made a prediction, the night of Pettigrew's escape," said Charlie, twisting her fingers. "She didn't even remember it when it was over. She said that Voldemort's servant would be freed and that he would help his master return to power."

Dumbledore didn't look worried in the slightest. "She made a true prediction? That makes it her second one."

"Remus and Sirius wanted to kill Pettigrew. But I…I couldn't bear to let them do it. I stopped them. Now Pettigrew is gone and he's going to seek out Voldemort. He's going to bring him back. And…and it'll be my fault."

Her voice wavered and Dumbledore shook his head strongly. "Charlotte, you saved Peter Pettigrew's life. That is something even he cannot ignore. In the wizarding world, when one wizard saves another, a bond is established between them."

"What good will that do?" said Charlie desperately.

"When Voldemort returns, one of his servants will be in your debt, and it is not something Pettigrew is going to disclose to him."

"But…but did I ever stand a chance? Professor Trelawney made a prediction, and it happened, right down to the letter."

"The future is complex, and not even the greatest of Seers can predict the exact events of what will happen," said Dumbledore softly. "Our choices will always dictate what happens around us. Our choices are what build our future."

"He's the reason my parents are dead," said Charlie staring at her feet. "I—I know that, and I still don't want him to die."

"Your parents would be so proud," said Dumbledore quietly. "So proud of you and your true character. James wouldn't have let them kill Peter Pettigrew either. They live in you, Charlotte."

Charlie gave a watery smile. "Thanks, Professor."

"Do you know what a unicorn represents, Charlotte?"

"How did—?"

"You weren't able to see, but all of us teachers were impressed by your Patronus during your Quidditch game. Purity, Charlotte, is what a unicorn represents, and a Patronus represents your spirit."

Charlie's lips twitched. "Does that mean my Animagus form would be a unicorn?"

Dumbledore's eyes sparkled. "Perhaps. But I do ask that, if you must find out, you do the Animagus process legally."

Charlie gave a serious nod. "Got it."

...

As they approached the front doors of the castle, Remus handed his bags to his charge. "Can you bring these to the carriage for me? I'll be there in a moment."

Harry looked at him curiously over the bags before nodding and running off. Sirius looked after him for a long moment before turning back. "You still haven't told him?"

Remus blinked. "Told him what?"

"That he and Charlie are siblings?"

Remus made a shocked, choking sound, his eyes nearly bugging out of his head. "How did you—?"

"James told me." Sirius gave a sad smile. "Not even Dumbledore could make James keep secrets from me. He was so happy…to find out he was going to have twins."

"We thought…we thought it would be for the best, to separate them," said Remus, shooting a swift look around to ensure they would not be overheard. "Dumbledore knew something was wrong. He wouldn't tell us, of course, but James and Lily knew, so…so of course when they asked, I took Harry with no questions."

"I'm just glad James didn't tell Pettigrew," said Sirius darkly.

"I…I'm sorry," said Remus quietly. "For thinking you would have killed your best friend."

"I don't blame you," said Sirius softly.

"I'm just so happy to have you back." Remus clutched Sirius' arm, tears building in his eyes. "I just wish Harry could know how important he is to you."

"I'll make sure he knows," said Sirius fiercely. "I won't tell him a thing, but I'll make it clear I love him."

"Thank you," whispered Remus. "He's a good boy. I'm honoured and immensely grateful that I was able to raise him."

"What about Charlie?" asked Sirius with a frown. "Was…was she treated right?"

"Not in the slightest," whispered Remus, his hands trembling in anger at the thought of Charlie's relatives. "Petunia's hatred of her sister extended to Charlie. There was no love for her growing up."

"It's not fair," said Sirius hoarsely. "None of it is fair."

"The kids are alive. They are the best of friends. That's all we can ask for right now."

"Will you ever tell them?"

"Perhaps. But not now. How did you know? That Harry was really—?"

"James told me what they wanted to name their babies," said Sirius with a smile. "You didn't change his."

"I couldn't." Remus looked down the path, which Harry had long since disappeared down. His features may have been magically altered, but his heart and his spirit—they were very much handed down from his parents. Remus was just lucky enough to have influenced a few personality traits. "I wouldn't."

...

When Harry returned to the castle, he made tracks for Snape's office. The man glowered down at him; his lips pulled back with distaste. "I should warn you, Lupin, if you plan on taking your anger of your guardian's dismissal out on me, I will ensure you are in detention for the entirety of next year."

Harry grit his teeth together, thinking about what his sister had said. "I came to say thank you."

Snape's eyes narrowed. "I beg your pardon?"

"You could have told your Slytherins that Uncle Remus transformed into a vicious monster right in front of me. You could have told the Minister that he had neglected to take his potion and he could have killed me. But you didn't, and I appreciate that. I…I couldn't bear the thought of being taken away from him."

"I am not in the business of removing children from their guardians, Lupin," said Snape stiffly.

Harry tilted his head to the side. "But you are in the business of removing qualified teachers from the castle."

"He does not deserve to be here," growled Snape.

"I politely disagree. The Remus you hate is different from the Remus I love. But what happened between you two has nothing to do with me."

"Is that all you came to say?" said Snape flatly.

"Well…you could tell me that I was right, about your reasons for skipping to the werewolf unit, since it didn't really work."

There was a mischievous gleam in Harry's eyes, but it was teasing rather than malicious. For a brief moment, Lily shone through the layers of magical concealment, and Snape started to close the door.

"Detention, Mr. Lupin, first week of next term for your disrespect."

Harry pulled a face as the door snapped shut. "Great."

It was only fifteen minutes later when another knock sounded on Snape's door. With an irritated scowl he flung it open, only to find the other Potter twin standing on the other side. "Good morning, sir."

Snape sneered at her. "Potter."

"I understand why you're mad. I don't expect anything to change how you feel about my father and his friends. Years of dislike and hatred are hard to dissolve. I've lived with the Dursleys for thirteen years—I know all about it." Charlie gave a tired smile. "I know you don't care what I think. That's okay. But I just want you to know that I stood up for Sirius because he was innocent, and years of hatred won't ever change that.

"I know you hate them. But I don't. I hope, somehow, we can learn to move past that. Thank you, for coming into the Shrieking Shack to help us. I really do appreciate it. And I promise I won't tell anyone about the horrible trick that was pulled on you. I'll see you after the summer, Professor, and I'm really looking forward to next year's Potions classes."

Relieved she had gotten through her spiel without him spitting at her, she turned on her heel and hurried down the corridor, Snape's dark eyes watching after her. With a hard breath, he slammed the door shut, wondering why the brats could not simply leave him to build up resentment in peace.

Just like their mother.

...

In the final days of term, Dumbledore pulled Charlie aside for a quick chat. There was an expression on his face that told her she wasn't going to like what he had to say. "What is it?" she asked warily.

"I am sorry, but Sirius' trial is not set until late in the summer. The Ministry is also firm in that you should not be allowed to live with him until he's legitimately been proven innocent. I'm afraid I can do nothing about it. He will be under close watch by me and you will return to the Dursleys."

"What's another three months?" said Charlie with a sigh. "Thanks, Professor."

Dumbledore inclined his head. "You're welcome, Charlotte."

Charlie went back into her common room, where Hermione was waiting for her. "What was that about?" she asked.

"I'll explain when we meet up with Ron and Harry."

They went out of the castle and to the lake, where the two males were sprawled out in the grass, bathing in the sun. Charlie and Hermione lowered next to them and the raven-haired girl said, "I have to go back to the Dursleys until Sirius is proven innocent."

"That sucks," Ron said sympathetically. "I'll try to rescue you as soon as I can."

"No flying cars!" Harry snapped.

"Please, you think my dad would try and make another one?" said Ron with a snort. "Mum would have his head."

"Besides, not even you would be stupid enough to try the same stunt twice," said Hermione.

Ron scowled as Charlie and Harry laughed. "Thanks a lot, Hermione."

...

Charlie's least favourite part of the school year arrived—leaving the castle, knowing there was a magic-less and chore-filled summer ahead of her. She carried her trunks and Snowy's cage to the station, Crookshanks stalking ahead of them.

They settled in a compartment and Charlie sighed. "Well, we're all alive."

"Barely," Hermione muttered. "Between exams and this whole Sirius Black business, I think I lost a few years off my life."

"You're not doing it again next year, are you?" asked Harry, aghast.

"No way. I dropped Muggle Studies and Divination, so now I have a normal timetable."

Ron groaned. "Now who's going to help me in Muggle Studies?"

Charlie laughed. "You've still got Harry."

"He's useless at Muggle Studies!"

"I'm sorry, but I'm the one who figured out how a telephone worked," said Harry.

Ron brightened. "Oh yeah! I can call you this summer, Charlie. I think Dad's got one of those stashed in his shed. He'll help me set it up."

"Er…okay," said Charlie hesitantly. "Just don't mention you're a friend from school. And, uh, don't be surprised if someone shouts at you and then hangs up."

Something grey and small zoomed at their window and smashed into it. Startled, Hermione opened it up and a tiny owl flew in, twittering madly. Ron snatched the note hanging from its talons and they crowded near him to read it.

Dear Ron, Charlie, Hermione and Harry,

Ron, since I made you lose your rat, I figured the least I could do was go and get you an owl. Tell Charlie not to worry, Dumbledore came with me. Oh, and make sure Charlie knows that if her relatives mistreat her, I'll come sort them out.

By the way, I ought to explain a few things I didn't get a chance to earlier. I sent the Firebolt, Charlie. Crookshanks brought the mail order in for me and I used my own money. Don't ask how I got it; it wasn't easy. Plus, I apologize for scaring you, Charlie. It was me you saw when you left your uncle's house that summer night. I just wanted to get a glimpse of you.

Enclosed is the permission form for Hogsmeade. Now you can have fun without worrying if you'll get caught or not!

Ron, Harry and Hermione, I know I've said it before, but I'm going to say it again. Thank you so much for all you've done to support me. I'm very happy that Charlie has such wonderful friends. I look forward to getting to know all of you.

See you soon!

Sirius

Charlie grinned. "Cool!"

Ron stared at his new owl in awe. After a moment he held out the owl to Crookshanks. "He's not some crazy nut-job, is he?" Crookshanks sniffed the owl and purred. Ron grinned. "Sweet! I got an owl!"

A few hours later the train pulled up to King's Cross. Charlie spotted her relatives the second she went through the barrier. They were standing stock-still and scowling, arms crossed tightly over their chests.

"Good luck, Charlie," said Ron.

"Keep your head held high," Hermione advised.

"If they do anything, I'm just a letter away." Harry handed her his address, which was scrawled on a piece of parchment. "I figure this way you don't have to wait for an owl to show up so you could send me mail."

Charlie smiled gratefully. "Thanks guys. I'll see you soon." With a wave, she went off to join her relatives.

She had a feeling this summer would be more bearable.

After all, she could never say she had an escaped murderer for a godfather before.

He was innocent, yes, but they didn't have to know that.