Chapter Four

A pregnant Emma leaned against Sirius as they sat on the ground in front of a very large Christmas tree. Two year old Audie sat in the middle of a large circle of presents. James and Lilly sat on one of the couches opposite of the small family with their five month old son. Remus was away on order business and Peter had disappeared. Even in the darkest of times the group made sure Audie had an unforgettable Christmas.

"What won do I open fwist?" The toddler asked, looking at her mom and dad.

"Whatever one you want to open first," Emma told her. Sirius scooted away from his wife and pulled a gift from the top of the pile and handed it to his daughter. The little girl held the small box in her hands and ripped the wrapping paper off. Sirius helped her open the jewelry box and beamed down at his daughter. Audie looked down in awe at the necklace. It was a diamond heart shaped locket and inside was a picture of her and her parents.

"Danks!" She giggles, giving her daddy a hug.

XXX

Audie fiddled with the locket as she stood in front of the mirror in her room. She wore a vibrant red party dress the came to her knees. Downstairs her aunt and uncle were hosting their annual Christmas Party. Audie wasn't much of a holiday person as she grew older. If she had lived a different life, that included a loving and affectionate family, then she might have loved the Holidays just as much as her peers.

"Audie, your uncle is becoming impatient!" Her aunt snapped, entering the bedroom and grabbing the girl's wrist tightly.

"I wish to stay in my room for the night."

"Your uncle and I have spent a lot of time and money on this party, not to mention invited some of your fellow classmates."

Audie rolled her eyes and tugged away from her aunt's grasp. "I highly doubt you invited those who I associate with at School."

"There are some fine young men here to meet you." Audie huffed in annoyance and gave her aunt a hard glare. Harlow Scotch was a middle aged woman who held herself very highly. Her hair was always twisted into a tight bun and her black eyes made her seem colder than she was. She was always a bit rougher with Audie than her husband and liked to be in control of everything around her.

Audie observed her aunt, looking for a hint of any emotion displayed on her face. "I will not be a part of an arranged marriage." She was very aware that her inheritance was worth more than the money left in her aunt and uncle bank account. Her grandmother died shortly after her fifth birthday and even though the woman was mean and harsh she left most of the Scotch family fortune and inheritance to her.

"You do not have a choice," Harlow snapped. "You are to inherit a great deal of money. A woman of your status should be married to someone either equal or of higher status."

"I'm not a woman yet!" She snapped, knowing they would receive money in return for their niece's betrothal.

"If you are not down stairs and conversing with guests in fifteen minutes, you will not get your presents and we will be in control of the mail you receive." With that said, the woman turned on her heels and left.

Audie locked her door after her aunt and screamed. She screamed and cried. It wasn't fair to have to choose between her family and her heart. She wanted to be able to choose who she married and to be welcomed into a loving family but she didn't want to lose the only family she had left. Whether she liked it or not, she was a Scotch and had to fulfil the expectations several powerful families expected of her. A tapping sound caught her attention. An owl tapped on her window, a large envelope in its beak. She opened the window and let the owl in. Strangely, the owl dropped the envelope in her hand and flew back out the window. She sat down on her bed and opened it. Several letters fell into her lap. A small note was the first of many.

I found out a long time ago that your aunt and uncle have never given you these letters. Instead of having you read them, they have hidden them. I have decided to give them to you.

There was no signature, no identification of who wrote the letter. It was odd. She grabbed the first letter and read it over multiple times, memorizing every word, every detail. It was from her father.

My Audie,

It is your fourth Birthday today and I wish I could be there. Your mother would be so proud of you. Professor Dumbledore sent me the newspaper clipping about your dance recital. You have gotten so big. I think of you every day. I want you to know that I am not the man people say I am. I loved your aunt Lily and Uncle James like they were my own brother and sister. I am innocent and I need you to trust that I will come back for you. Happy Birthday!

Love Daddy.

She shuffled to the next letter and then the next and so on. She was curious on how he was able to keep track of time in a prison like Azkaban.

My Audie,

I have missed another birthday. I know I will never be able to make it up to you. I wish I could come home and take Harry and you away from those wretched muggles and death eaters. You are old enough to start understanding why I'm not with you. One day you will understand. I want you to remember when I use to take you to the park. How I'd pull the swing back and you would fly in the air, pumping your legs. I miss your smile and hugs and stories. It's been three years to long.

You're Father

My Audie,

Happy eleventh birthday. I'm sure you have received your Hogwarts letter. Your aunt and uncle might have it drilled in your head that you need to be in Slytherin. I personally think you will be an amazing Gryffindor. I loved my time at Hogwarts. I met many friends and caused mischief. I met James and Remus on the train my first year and we were friends from then on. I hope now that you will be away from your aunt and uncle that you will write. I'd love to hear from you.

All my love,

Your Father

My Audie

I was so proud to hear you made Gryffindor. Dumbledore visits occasionally, he always has so much to say about you. I never thought you would fight so much with one of the Weasleyboys. Molly and Arthur were such kind people, your mother adored Molly. Next year Harry will be coming to school. Please keep an eye on him, you're the closest thing to family he has. Take care of yourself and remember that you are a Black, not a Scotch.

All My Love,

You're Father

Audie,

I don't have much time. I'm going to leave. I will prove my innocence and come get you. I am sorry that it has taken...

"I strictly told you to come down and greet your guests!" The letters were snatched away from her and her aunt looked down at the letters, shocked. "Where did you get these letters?"

"They were sent to me," Audie said dryly.

"No, who could have sent them? Only I know of these letters. Where did you get them?" Harlow yanked her niece off the bed and smacked her cheek. "How did you get these letters?" She demanded, anger relevant in her voice.

"They were sent to me!" Audie's voice rose, she was ignoring the fear that was building up in her stomach.

"Liar!" Another smack across the face caused tears to well up and Audie let out a helpless sigh. "You stole them! You broke into my room and took them from my wardrobe."

"You knew my father was writing to me?" Realization dawned on her and she clenched her fists and stomped her foot. She knew she looked immature but she was frustrated and betrayed.

"It doesn't matter!" Harlow stalked towards the fireplace and threw the letters into the fire. Audie screamed for her aunt to stop, to let her keep the letters. She wanted to finish them, to know what her father had to say. She ran towards the fire lunging for the ashes but her aunt yanked her back, pulling on her hair.

"You are a worthless girl! They are gone! This is what you deserve! If you choose to not come down to the party then you stay in your room for rest of the Holidays!"

Audie collapsed to the ground and sobbed into her hands, she was broken. For all those years she thought her father didn't care. Her aunt led her to believe it.

"I'm staying in my room," She whispers, her voice hollow.

"Very well, I will receive all mail sent to you. You will be isolated from us and your filthy friends." Harlow left the room and Audie cried harder.

XXX

Audie hadn't received any mail. Either her aunt was taking her mail before she could get it or her friends hadn't bothered to care about her. They could have at least sent a thank you card for their presents, especially Fred. Audie had spent hours picking out the perfect present for each person. For Hermione, she got her a set of novels written by a famous muggle author. She sent Ginny a silvery, tea-length dress that Ginny had pointed out to her a couple months ago. Ron received a book on every Quiditch player to exist. Harry received a photo album that contained pictures of them and their other friends. She gave him one for the last three years now. George and Fred each revived their own subscription to Pranksters weekly. She also got Fred something else, a picture frame where the pictures continuously changed.

Fred wasn't her boyfriend, they argued half the time they were together and the other half was spent in peace. Audie couldn't label it; she had to keep whatever she felt for Fred a secret. She knew that sooner than later she would be forced to leave his life forever and she would die inside. So, they remained friends but when the two were alone they became more than friends.

In a few days' time school was going to start and she would be at a loss to tell people what happened during the break. Her aunt's palm had left a blue mark right across her cheek bone on her left cheek. Not to mention her wrists were purple from her aunt repeatedly squeezing the circulation from them. Her Uncle barely noticed.

"Miss Audie, I have presents for you!" Effie piped up, springing into the room, holding a large box full of parcel packages. Audie smiled tiredly at the house elf and patted the spot next to her on the bed. Over the years, the house elf had become her confident in the cage she was raised in.

"Does Misses Scotch know you have these?" Audie hummed as the box was set down on her lap and the elf sat beside her.

"Yes, she says you can open them now since they are from your school mates." Effie was always in high spirits, there was no such thing that could break her smile.

"Thank you!" Audie smiled and picked up the first package, it was from George. Carefully and curiously, she opened the gift to reveal a handful of newspaper clippings about Sirius Black and his massive escape from Azkaban. The man's moving face reminded her of the letters her aunt had burnt. What if her father was innocent? What if he came to get her? She could have written back to him, ask him questions about her mother and him. The gift unsettled her and she set it aside to grab the next one.

After a half hour of opening gifts, she was to the last present. Harry had given her a chocolate quill, strawberry bubble gum and book on the world's 200 most dangerous wizards during the reign of You Know Who (her father was number 185). Ginny had sent her chocolate and candy. Hermione gave her a book on charming spells and muggle book about the world's most influential women of the century. Ron sent her a framed picture of the whole group except Harry at Hogsmead. She received the famous Weasley sweater with an A on the front from Molly and surprisingly a bracelet and apology note from Angelina.

"Who is the last present from?" Effie asked, smiling at the square sized present.

Audie's face lit up, "Fred." She opened the gift to reveal a jewelry box. Inside were a bracelet with five charms; a wand, a broom, a heart, a dog and a dove. It was perfect.

A/N: I'm sorry it's been awhile. This is short, but I hope it was good filler. I will try to update as soon as I can.