A/N:...
Chapter Two
Sirius Black stood in front of me, his eyes staring at me like he'd never seen me before.
"Why aren't you at school?" he finally managed after a long pause.
I snorted. "You haven't heard? You seem to visit Harry enough." I snapped bitterly.
He was taken aback, not used to my being like this. Then again, he wouldn't know since he never sees me.
"Is it because he's the only link you have back to James? Or is it because he's the "Boy who Lived"?" I made quotations in the air as I practically spat the words.
"I want to know why you aren't at school, Tara." he said calmly, but there was a spark of anger in his eyes.
"Gee, let me think. After Fred, George and I blew up fireworks in the Great Hall, one of which chasing Umbridge out of the Hall, I destroyed all of her precious kitten plates, left a cheery message, hopped on my broom and came here. And I'll have you know that I am now a wanted girl!" I finished, screaming the last words at him and racing out and up to the now again shrieking painting of Grandmother. My tears fell down my face in torrents, and I only stopped a moment to close the cutains on her before racing up to my room and slamming the door.
I collapsed on the bed, my sobs muffled by my pillow, and stayed there for hours. As soon as I heard the door open downstairs did I raise my head, wipe off my tears, grab my wand, and head downstairs to see what was going on.
"Tara?" a familiar voice called.
My eyes widened, and I swung over the railing, landing on my feet in front of Lupin, my Godfather. I stood awkwardly there for a moment, taking in his appearance, before launching myself into his arms. "What happened?" Lupin's voice comforted me.
"He never visits me anymore. I keep on hoping that maybe, I'll get an owl, or he'll come sneak in to see me, or meet me in Hogsmeade, but he never does. Does he even love me anymore? Harry seems to be his favorite now, like I've never even existed. You want to know how many times he's visited me in the last year and a half? Once." I burst into a new round of tears right there.
Lupin was silent. Then- "He's been visiting Harry, but not you?" I nodded. "And he acts as if it's really Harry who's his son, and I'm just a girl he has to put up with."
"I'm sure there's an explanation for why he's doing this Tara. Want me to ask him?"
"Do whatever you want. I'm sure he'll be overjoyed to hear how he's been treating me." I muttered sarcasically. Then an idea popped into my head. "I'm going to go stay with Fred and George for a while until my father realizes I'm gone."
Going on my toes, I kissed Lupin on the cheek before running lightly down the hall, calling "Accio Broom!" as I went along. I nudged me in the back like a lost puppy, and I grabbed it and swung onto it as I opened the door. I urged it up into the sky, and the wind pulled me along as I went.
Stupid father who abandoned me for twelve years. I was only four when he was sent to Azkaban, and look what happened to him. All over Harry like a father. Ignoring me like some little toy nobody likes anymore.
It took a while to get to the 'Burrow', as Fred and George so lovingly called it over our letters. They'd given me directions once in case I wanted to visit. Unfortunately, I don't think they told Mrs. Weasley I was a Black. I landed my broom elegantly, the sky dark as a ravens wings. I looked at the huge house and immediately wished my dad and I could be a family again.
Stepping up to the front door, I knocked hesitantly. The door swung open to reveal a redhead girl, probably Ginny from the Twins description. "Are Fred and George here?" I asked quietly. The girl looked me over, thinking for a moment before turning around and gesturing me in. Going to the bottom of the stairs, she belted out their names.
"FRED! GEORGE! SOMEONE HERE TO SEE YOU!"
My ears rang from the firce of it, but it did the job. A few seconds later, the two of them appeared, sliding down the banister. When they saw it was me, they immediately switched over to my Best Friends, obviously forgetting the incident from earlier. "Tara, what are you doing here?" George asked.
"Something went wrong-"
"-At your dad's." I could only nod, struggling to hold myself together from another emotional wreckage. "Oi mum!" Fred called.
A plumper woman appeared, and as soon as she saw me her face softened. "What is it dear?"
"Is it okay if Tara stays here for a while? Things didn't go so good at her dads." George finished for Fred.
"Of course! I just finished cleaning up the spare room upstairs. You're welcome here anytime you like sweetheart." Mrs. Weasley said, giving me a warm smile.
"Thank you." I whispered.
The two brothers herded me upstairs, my barely holding it together. When I entered the room, George closed the door, and I burst into tears again.
Leading me over to the bed, one of them sat on either side of me, worried looks on their faces.
I told them everything. From the point of when I walked in the door to the point up until now. When I finished, all they could say was "Wow."
"I hate him, I really do. And Umbridge is going to be after me now too."
"Wait. Why is Umbridge going to come after you?"
"She figured out what my real last name is. And I haven't told you everything abot what I've done."
Fred looked at me, and I spilled.
"It started as soon as she took over. The first class we had, I hexed her. She had a huge gash on her face from it, but she got me back by getting Filch to restart his bullying. It slowly got worse. The time I ended up in the Hospital Wing? She'd shoved me down a staircase."
"I knew there was something up." George growled.
"But then, she found out my last name from the Faerie painting on the third floor. They were the ones that had been my favorite, so I guess it makes sense. That's why I shattered all of her kitten plates. The Ministry is going to come after me, and I'm going to be handed over to her."
There was silence again while I cried, the two of them comforting me the best they could, although since they were speechless I don't think they did a very good job.
"So what you're saying-" George finally spoke.
"-Is that you're wanted by the Ministry?" Fred answered.
"Yeah. I just need somewhere to stay for tonight, then I'm heading to dad's to get the rest of my stuff." I sniffled.
"Why don't the three of us head over tonight? Then we can come with you." they said at the same time.
"I don't know; I should leave now. Your dad works in the Ministry and they might come here first." I stood, broom still in hand, and stumbled down the stairs. Mrs. Weasley made to stop me, but I pushed past her and out the door. My broom quivering, I mounted and kicked off, heading out into the darkness.
It took me longer than I thought to get back home, but I found it was worth it. When I walked throught the front door, I walked right into my fathers chest. Silently, I shoved past him, stalking up the stairs and ignoring his attempts of talking to me.
It was only a few minutes later when the door opened, and I threw a pillow at whoever it was. "Oi! That ain't very nice Tara." Fred growled in mock anger.
"Whatever." I mumbled. "Why did you two follow me anyway?"
"Because you're our partner in crime! We can't abandon you now!"
"Sure you can. It's called pick up thae bromes ya brought and laeve!" I said evenly, my scottish accent leaking in from the stress of today.
"George, I do believe she just used that accent on us!" Fred said mockingly.
"Ah just ded. Bloody lil red'eads." I grumbled.
"And she did it again." George responded.
"Sorry." I sighed. "Today's just been a long one. It has to be at least midnight now."
I was the tackled by the two idiots, forgiving as they are. "It's okay Tara. No more temper tantrums though." they grinned.
"I can't promise anything." I pouted, punching them in the shoulders lightly. "Now get out of here, I need my beauty sleep." I shooed out the boys and locked the door behind them.
Sliding to the floor in relief, I began formulating my plan on how to ditch them. But before any coherant thought went through my head I was asleep on the floor.
0-0-0-0
When I woke it was light out, and I was on my bed, the covers laying over my body lightly. I started, leaping over to the door to see if it was still locked.
It was. Meaning that only someone who could Apparate could have gotten into my room. I had a nagging thought that kept chanting it was Sirius. It probably was.
Unlocking my door, I was met with the Twins. I shrieked and fell backwards, landing on my tailbone. The two guilty boys burst into laughter, and I frowned. "What a way to wake up." I mumbled grumpily, getting up.
"Well-"
"Shut up. Now."
Fred held his hands up in submission. "Hey, just seeing if you're ready to go is all."
"Oh." I frowned again. "Yeah, just let me get my wand and broom." Turning, I grabbed my broom and wand, then followed the two eager twins downstairs, where Lupin and dad sat at the table, Kreacher hovering in the background. "Morning Lupin." I leaned down to kiss his cheek before looking at my father. "Good Morning Father." I said stiffly, walking over to the fruit bowl and grabbing an apple.
Then I turned, the faces around me not showing any emotion. Except my father.
"You're leaving." his voice was flat, but there was layers of hurt and worry underneath.
"It's for the best. I won't endanger anyone by being out in the open. How long until the Ministry discovers me here? Voldemort?" I replied.
"They won't."
"Yes they will. You and I both know this. Number 12 Grimmauld Place is a secret to most of the people in both worlds, but if one of the Order is captured, no doubt it'll be discovered." I leaned against the countertop, eating the apple calmly as I watched the mental argument between me and my father.
He sighed, looking at me with an emotion I haven't seen since I was a little girl. Love.
"Dad, I love you, I really do. We have that bond. Remember, both of us are Animagi." he smiled, his gaunt face turning bright.
But the other responces were a bit loud.
"What-"
"-The"
"-Hell?" Fred and George exclaimed, looking between Dad, Lupin and me. Lupin had the same look of shock on his face. "Sirius, I believe you and I have some talking to do." he ground out, dragging dad off.
"Owl us every few weeks if you can!" Lupin called over his shoulder.
"Let's go." I sighed, dragging the other two behind me as I headed out the door. I launched off, my broom carrying me high into the clouds almost immediately. Fred and George soon reappeared, closing in on either side. "So, how did that happen?" they asked casusally.
I was just about to respond when a sudden chill washed over my skin.
"Scatter!" I shrieked.
Just as the Dementors appeared around us.
A/N:*whistles innocently*