A/N: REVISED 7/10/13.

Sirius Black was innocent.

Kirsten Black had that fact swimming around her head for the past few days now. After what occurred in Gryffindor Tower that night, Professor McGonagall escorted her to the hospital wing because of the injury the table caused her. That didn't go unnoticed by the rest of the Gryffindors. She had an inkling that Colin Creevey and his little gang were the ones who started the rumor of her encounter with Sirius Black.

It wasn't until the next morning that Kirsten was released from the infirmary.

And it didn't take her long to find a free moment with Cedric either. It took her sometime to assure her friend that she was indeed okay. It also took her sometime to explain to him what happened, making him swear that he won't tell a soul of course.

"You're telling me that Peter Pettigrew is an illegal animagus," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "And that he's Ron's pet named Scabbers."

Kirsten internally cringed about how far fetched it sounded when it put that way, but nodded her head. She saw her friend lean his head back as his eyes narrowed. He was more than likely thinking everything through.

"So Sirius was framed?" he asked her, causing her to nod her head in affirmation.

"I know this sounds craz —"

"I believe you."

Her eyes widened considerably as she looked at her friend. He nodded his head at her before opening his mouth to speak again.

"It sounds incredibly mad, but it makes sense," Cedric confessed, a small smile working its way on his face.

"So you actually believe what I'm saying?" she asked. She had to make sure that he wasn't thinking this was some whole joke. Yet again, she wouldn't think Cedric ever would.

"Do you not want me to believe you?"

"No. No, I do," she assured, cutting him off. Her lips lifted up in a smile as she looked at her friend. "It's just — thanks."

"Kirsten, what —"

"Shut up, Hermione."

Kirsten Black couldn't take her eyes off of her fellow witch. She watched the harried girl in concern. Ever since the night since Sirius broke into Gryffindor tower, she's noticed that Hermione was more jumpy than usual. She could tell that Harry and Ron not speaking to her was taking a heavier toll than she originally thought. The dark circles that began to form underneath Hermione's bloodshot eyes definitely alarmed Kirsten.

Hermione needed to have a venting session.

"I want you to tell me what's going on," Kirsten demanded, knowing that this would get her going.

She saw the witch's expression of confusion turn into puzzlement.

"What's going on with me? Nothing is wrong, Kia. I've been asking you that, but you won't ever tell me. I can only imagine what you're going through. Finding out your father is Sirius Black, having your friend turn his back on you, the fact that —"

It was at that moment that Hermione burst into tears and Kirsten heart broke a little for her friend. She wrapped her arms around the shorter witch and let her cry. Here Hermione was supposed to vent about her issues, but instead turned the table on trying to get Kirsten to open up and vent as well.

"Harry and Ron are going to talk to you again," Kirsten assured her. There was no denying that. She's seen the bond between the three of them. They loved each other. They've been through so much together. There's no way they would break apart over a rat that wasn't even a rat to begin with.

"They're stupid," she continued, "but they'll come round."

Minutes passed before Hermione pulled away from Kirsten, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her robes. She caught sight of a trembling smile making way on Hermione's face.

"Kia, I thought it was a bit odd at first. The way you handled everything that's happened to you," she said, meeting Kirsten's eyes. "But now I realize why you didn't breakdown at all. You're a strong person."

Kirsten couldn't help the grin on her face as she looked down at her friend. But she went back on everything and hoped nothing drastic will happen in the years to come. She could only stay strong for so long.

"It's inevitable."

Kirsten needed answers.

She could feel her feet carry her through halls and stopped when she reached the office of a Remus Lupin. Before she could even raise her fist to knock on the door, the door swung open.

Standing in front of her was the man she desperately needed to talk to.

"Kirsten, what a pleasant surprise," he said, a smile on his face. "I was just on my way to find you."

Oh, she knew he was. The man had sent her letters for days now asking her to join him in his office, so they could talk. She wanted to ignore him. But after what occurred and what she just learned, she needed to.

He guided her into his office, closing the door shut before proceeding to make her hot chocolate. It didn't take long for him to make and the two were seated across from one another.

She could see him shift uncomfortably in his seat as he took a sip from his mug. She narrowed her eyes at him.

Was he afraid of her?

"There's something you should know."

Her eyebrows shot up in question at his odd behavior.

"You should know that I was more than just acquaintances with your parents," he said, inhaling deeply. "They were my best friends."

This wasn't news to Kirsten since she picked that apart from her mother's journal. The woman did reveal that bit of news. Clearly this wasn't the big piece of information with the way he was still looking warily at her.

She nodded her head for him to continue, lifting her mug to her face.

"I'm your godfather."

It wasn't exactly the best timing for her to a large sip of hot chocolate. The large intake of breath she took didn't help as she began choking and sputtering on her drink. A large whoosh caused Kirsten to look in the direction of the fireplace and she nearly shrieked, but due to her coughing, only a gurgling noise escaped her mouth. She gulped the rest of what was the hot chocolate in her mouth and cleared her throat.

Among the flames in the fire was the image of Snape's face.

"Lupin! I want a word!" the voice boomed throughout the entire room.

"What the h —"

"Bring Carlisle along," the head snapped, his eyes on Kirsten before it suddenly disappeared.

Her head was spinning.

First Lupin was telling her that he was her godfather. And now a firey image of Snape's head was demanding her to go to his office.

Kirsten got up from her seat and set the mug down carefully and glanced at Lupin. He threw her an apologetic look before beckoning her to the fireplace. She saw him grab a hold of a jar and she glimpsed at the sparkling green powder contained within.

"Do you know how to use Floo transportation?" Lupin asked her. She nodded her head.

"I think I got the concept," she told him, remembering what Fudge did back at the Leaky Cauldron. She grabbed a bit of the powder into her hands and threw it inside. Instantly, the fire turned into the familiar shade of emerald green.

"Professor Snape's office, right?" she asked him. The man nodded his head in response. After stepping in the green flames, she yelled her destination. Everything around her spun in circles faster and faster. But before she felt as if she was going to spin out of control, the fireplace spat her out into Snape's office.

"You called, Severus?" she heard Lupin ask mildly from beside her.

"I certainly did," Snape said. Kirsten smirked at the expression on the man's face. Whoever pissed him off was a genius. She saw him stride over to his desk. "I have just asked Potter to empty his pockets. He was carrying this."

Snape pointed at the old parchment Fred and George gave to Kirsten and Harry before their escapade to Hogsmeade. The familiar names of Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs were shining on the parchment.

Where the hell did he get that?

"Well?" Snape said rather impatiently. Kirsten looked over to see that it was not just the three of them that stood in his office, and shook her head at who it was. Harry's eyes were staring in her direction.

What. An. Idiot.

"Well?" Snape said again. "This parchment is plainly full of Dark Magic. This is supposed to be your area of expertise, Lupin. Where do you imagine Potter and Carlisle got such a thing?"

Kirsten's mouth dropped open slightly at Snape's words and she narrowed her eyes at the boy who lived.

He didn't.

"Full of Dark Magic?" Lupin repeated mildly. "Do you really think so? It looks to me that it is a piece of parchment that insults anybody who reads it. Childish, but surely not dangerous? I imagine they got it from a joke shop—"

"Indeed?" Snape cut him off, his jaw rigid in anger.

"You think a joke shop could supply such a thing? You don't think more likely that they got it directly from the manufacturers," the Potions professor pressed, looking directly at Lupin.

Kirsten's eyes narrowed as she looked at the two men before her, realizing what was happening.

Snape knew about Lupin's connection to the Marauder's Map.

It wasn't long till Kirsten felt the eyes of all three males in the room.

"What?" she asked.

"Do you know any of these men?" Lupin asked, pointing at the parchment.

Kirsten looked at the map in his hands and bit back the smile that was about to form on her face. She shrugged, and pulled a thoughtful look on her face. "Not a chance."

Neither Lupin nor Snape were convinced, but Lupin nodded his head.

"You see, Severus?" Lupin continued. "It looks like a Zonko's product to me—"

Ron burst in the room, his eyes landed on Kirsten before looking at both Lupin and Snape.

"I—gave—them—that—stuff," Ron choked out loud, trying to gather some air. "Bought it—in Zonko's—ages ago."

"Well!" Lupin said cheerfully, clapping his hands together. "That seems to clear that up! Severus, I'll take this back, shall I?" He folded the map and tucked it inside his robes. "Harry, Ron, come with me and Kia. I need a word about my vampire essay—excuse us, Severus—"

It didn't take long for the group of four to stop in front of the entrance hall doors. Kirsten folded her arms in front of her as she glared at Harry.

"How was I dragged into all of this?" Kirsten asked him, breaking the silence.

"Your name kind of slipped out of my mouth," Harry said his voice quiet. She rolled her eyes at his confession.

That definitely screamed Harry.

At least he didn't attempt to lie.

"Well, that's a brilliant idea. Your damn lucky that nosy git didn't ask me questions," she told him. She was about to go on but was interrupted by Lupin's cough. She turned to look at him and saw the knowing look he sent her way.

It was then that she remembered what he told her.

"Professor I —"

"I don't want to hear explanations," Lupin said curtly, interrupting Harry. He looked around the empty entrance hall and lowered his voice as he continued. "I happen to know that this map was confiscated by Mr. Filch many years ago. Yes, I know it's a map.

Kirsten looked at the parchment in wonder. Could she somehow use it to find Pettigrew?

"I don't want to know how it fell into your possession. I am, however, astounded that you didn't hand it in. Particularly after what happened the last time a student left information about the castle lying around. And I can't let you three have it back."

That plan was gone before she could even develop one properly.

"Why did Snape think I'd got it from the manufacturers?" Harry asked.

A small smile made way onto her face as she looked in Lupin's direction.

"Because…" Lupin hesitated,"because these mapmakers would have wanted to lure you out of the school. They'd think it extremely entertaining."

"Do you know them?" Harry asked. Kirsten raised an eyebrow at his question, the small smile still playing on her lips.

Harry was definitely warm, but not warm enough.

"We've met," the wizard replied rather shortly. He told Harry that he wouldn't cover for him again and that his parents didn't make a sacrifice which he shouldn't take in vain.

"You coming?" Ron asked Kirsten.

"I'll catch up," Kirsten told them. As soon as the two Gryffindors were out of sight and out of earshot, Kirsten turned towards Lupin.

"So you're my godfather..." she trailed off, looking the man up and down.

The stern look that was on his face fell as he looked sheepishly at his goddaughter.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you any sooner," he said.

She shook her head, a small smile on her face. "At least you told me."

Kirsten stepped closer to her godfather and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. It didn't take long for him to hug her back.

"Anyways, I shouldn't have been so surprised," Kirsten told him. Lupin pulled away slightly looking at her curiously. "The amount of times you could've given me detention... definitely felt like I was teacher's pet. Wouldn't exactly want that. With my reputation and all..."

Lupin grinned at her little rant and Kirsten could see how young he really was. If he wasn't the same age as her parents...

She shook her head at the thought.

She really shouldn't be having thoughts like that about him.

He was her godfather.

A thought struck her at the moment and she couldn't help the smile that lit her face. She saw Lupin's eyes narrow slightly at the action, and almost rolled her eyes.

"Did you still want to talk?"

Checking her watch, she shook her head. Maybe another time. "I have something else to take care of."

Kirsten only walked a couple of feet before she turned around to face him, walking backwards. She knew he was going to badger the hell out of her for this but she couldn't help it.

"I'll see you later, Mister Moony."

Sending a wink his way, Kirsten hurried down the hall before he could catch her.