Blinking awake, she jolted up. "Sirius!" She gasped.
A hand appeared on her shoulder, and she instinctively turned towards it. "Sirius, someone, please, he isn't guilty, you have to help him."
Her vision cleared, and she saw the headmaster next to her. "Dumbledore! Please, you have to believe me!"
"I do, Miss Motterly, but your word and the words of the children are not going to be enough to ensure his release."
Erin frowned. "W-What do you mean? He's innocent! We all saw Pettingrew."
The Headmaster patted her shoulder. "Well, I'm afraid the minister is quite convinced you were under a Confundus Charm. The Dementors are getting ready to perform the kiss."
Erin's eyes widened. "No! No, it can't be!" She struggled upwards, clutching her head as it pounded terribly.
Dumbledore steadied her with a smile. "Don't worry, I'm going to put my best men on the case. However, though I was not able to convince the Minister of Sirius' innocence, I was able to arrange you to meet before the kiss is performed, provided you leave your wand with me."
Many thoughts were swirling around in her head, about how it was unfair, about how she was numb with the sheer horror of it all, but she knew she needed to take this chance when she could, even when she was having a hard time accepting what was happening.
Erin nodded numbly. "O-Okay." She fished in her robes for her wand, and frowned when it wasn't there. Suddenly it was being held up before her.
"I took the liberty of apprehending it in advance. Now, if you'll follow me." He led her by the small of her back, out of the room. Waiting for them was Fudge, who immediately walked up to Erin.
"Ms Motterly, ah, you're awake. I've been informed-"
"Screw off you two faced bastard, and get out of my bloody way." She hissed with a venom of hatred. Stunned, the Prime Minister stepped aside, and Erin and the Headmaster continued on.
As she passed Severus, he gave her a triumphant smile. Pausing, she stepped backwards to look at his face, not caring that there was hardly any room between them. "No wonder she chose James over you. He was ten times the man you are." She said with a stony calm. Blinking at the look on his face, she continued on with Dumbledore.
He led her to the tower Sirius was held in. As she rushed towards the barred door, Erin called out to him. "Sirius!" Her hands clasped around the cold metal bars.
From where he was sitting, he looked up, hope glistening in his hollow eyes. "Erin? What are you doing here?" He gasped.
"I'll just leave you two alone then." Said Dumbledore above Erin's kneeling form, loud enough for Sirius to hear and divine the purpose of her visit.
As soon as the Headmaster's footsteps faded, Sirius spoke softly, "One last visit, eh?" Erin's face screwed up in a silent sob as she pressed her forehead against the bars. "Hey. Hey, sweetheart, Erin, it's fine." He murmured gently, resting his hands on hers where they were on the bars.
"Fine?" She sobbed. "How is everything fine? You're going to die, Sirius!" She pulled up to meet his eyes with her wet ones.
He squeezed his arm out of the bars far enough to rest his hand on the side of her face, entwining his fingers in her ginger hair. "My love, I count myself blessed to see your beautiful face at the end." He whispered.
Erin smiled, still shaking, tears dripping down her face. "Y-You always h-had a way with w-words, Sirius." She stammered.
He smiled. "Only with you, dear." With his thumb he wiped a tear from her face.
Erin smiled at him, her Sirius. Always so soft to her, his eyes full of love. Suddenly a thought hit her. "Leona." She whispered.
He frowned. "Who?"
Erin bit her trembling lip. Would it be cruel to tell him, right before the end, that he had a daughter? No more cruel then letting him die without that knowledge, she supposed. "Leona Motterly." She whispered, a smile pulling on her lips, her eyes far away in the sense that she was remembering someone. "She reminds me so much of you." Erin laughed, smiling. "The way she smiles, they was she acts, so loyal, brave." More tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. "Just like her father."
A look of pure surprise dawned on his face. "I have a daughter?" he whispered.
Erin nodded, grinning through her tears. "Yes!"
Sirius grinned, laughing. "I can't believe it! I can't believe I hadn't heard!"
"Well, I don't blame you." Erin smirked. "News wasn't exactly accessible."
He chuckled. "No, not exactly. Oh, my god, how old is she? What's she like?" He gasped, his whole demeanor giddy.
Erin rested her hand on his, and his fingers brushed against her neck. "She's twelve. She's best friends with Ron's younger sister. In fact, we spend a lot of our time with the Weasleys. They take care of us."
"Then thank them for me." He murmured.
"Of course." Erin lowered her eyes as she thought about her daughter. It was hard, summing up a person in a few sentences. "Leona loves flying on brooms, and playing quidditch with the Weasleys. And, heavens does she get in trouble with those firecrackers the Weasley twins taught her to make." Erin snickered at the memories, Leona's face coming into view in her minds eye.
"She sounds like quite the trouble maker!" laughed Sirius.
Erin rolled her eyes. "I wonder where she got that from!"
Sirius smiled, gently caressing her cheek with his thumb. Erin pressed her face into his palm, biting her lip. Suddenly the situation came crashing back down on her. This was the last time she'd feel his touch, hear his voice, look into his eyes. "Why does life have to be so cruel?" She murmured.
Sirius looked sadly at his fiancé, wishing he could kiss her, that these bars did not come between them. "My love, life itself is not cruel. People can be, but life is a gift." He whispered gently.
Erin shook her head. "How can I think that? When I'm going to have to live without you?"
Sirius smiled. "I know life is a gift, because through it I met you."
Erin smiled tearfully at her fiancé. "I am glad I met you." She paused, blushing. "I love you."
A powerful change came over the skinny man. His eyes glistened. "I love you too." His voice cracked with emotion, making Erin's heart break quietly within her chest. Quietly, the way love most often takes over a being, and the way love can hurt them just as easy.
Gently, she took his hand from her cheek, placing her lips gently on his wrist. Her eyes shimmered, and when she met his eyes, she saw tears there too.
Suddenly, a shadow appeared on his face, and the beating of wings flew wind across the tower. Erin whipped around, standing up in surprise. "Harry? Hermione?" She asked, confused. Looking at the hippogriff, she blinked. "Buckbeak?"
Hermione shook her head. "Long story, we're breaking him out."
Erin blinked. "But...how did you? Buckbeak is dead!"
Hermione made a face. "Just...don't ask."
Harry smiled. "I don't believe it either."
Erin stepped out of the way as Hermione blew the lock on Sirius' cell. He instantly jumped at Erin, grabbing her face and kissing her. Pulling away, he smiled. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."
Erin tipped her head to the side. "About as long as me?" He laughed.
"Guys, we have to go, we don't have much time." Voiced Harry.
Erin smiled. "Go."
Sirius nodded. "I will find you, when things have settled."
He started to Buckbeak when he turned around abruptly. "Wait, what if they think you're involved."
Erin shrugged. "I'll lie."
Hermione shook her head. "What if they use...verita serum, or something to make you tell. Sirius is right."
Harry shrugged. "Can't you just do a memory charm or something?"
Hermione bit her lip. "Harry, I've only read about them, I've never done one. They can go really wrong."
"Harry." Said Sirius quickly. "Give me your wand. I can do it, but we don't have much time."
Harry nodded and handed his over. Sirius turned to Erin, a sad sort of smile on his lips.
She frowned. "I don't want to forget." She whispered.
"Darling, as soon as I get someplace safe, I'll write to you, I'll tell you everything that happened."
She sighed, nodding. He kissed her forehead and put his arm around her shoulder. Pointing Harry's wand, he whispered gently, "Obliviate."
Erin's eyes slipped shut and Sirius lowered her gently to the ground.
"Come on, we have to hurry!" Said Harry.
"Sirius, Dumbledore will take good care of her, we have to go." Said Hermione gently.
He nodded, climbing on Buckbeak, and flying off into the moonlight.
"MOM!" She heard Leona yell as she ran into the hospital wing. "It's true? Sirius Black escaped?"
Erin sighed as she finished tying her shoes. Madam Pomfrey had just released her. "Come here." She patted her bed. Leona frowned, but walked over to her mother's bed and sat down.
Erin looked at her daughter, her precious daughter, who held so much of her father within her. "My love, there is so much you do not know about Sirius Black. And nothing makes me happier than to know he has escaped."
Leona frowned, mouth moving in confusion. She had obviously expected her mother to say the exact opposite. "But mom, he's a homicidal maniac!"
Erin bit her lip to hold back a sigh. Her daughter had no way of knowing. "Leona, you don't know the half of it. If we can get a car to ourselves, or maybe a car with Remus, I will tell you all you need to know about Sirius." Leona, though confused, just nodded. "Well, are you all packed?" She nodded. "Very well, then, head to the feast, darling. I think I'm going to find Remus and have a chat with him."
Leona knew something was off with her mother, but knew better than to make a deal of it right now. "Okaaaay, mom, whatever you say. See you later."
Erin watched her daughter as she left the medical wing. As soon as her flapping black hair disappeared through the door, the mother sighed, and glanced out the window. The last day at Hogwarts. The light was streaming softly through, touching only a small part of the room directly.
Remembering last night was such a rush. She remembered seeing Sirius, remembered talking to Harry...but after being thrown off Remus, she couldn't remember a thing. She had woken up here, and told that she was found in front of the tower Sirius had escaped from. Luckily, Dumbledore appeared to have possession of her wand, so she wasn't considered suspect. However, that didn't stop the mystery of what she was doing up there to bother her. I mean, what had she said, done, saw?
Shaking her head, she supposed that was no different that how Remus's night went. She remembered how tired he always was after the full moon, not to mention how being attacked by your two best friends in animal form must feel.
She sighed, pushing herself up. An involuntary wince graced her face as her muscles screamed. It had been a long time since she had transformed, let alone wrestled a werewolf. She grabbed her jacket and limped out of the room.
The halls were lined with students gathering for the last day, hanging around and chatting. They parted for the teacher as she walked by. Erin frowned, walking a little faster to get to Remus' classroom. After awhile, the crowds of students vanished as she neared the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
She walked in the open door, nearly running into someone. She expected it to be Remus, but it was actually Harry. She opened her mouth to say his name as a form of startled exclamation, "James!" She gasped. Then, she blinked. "Oh, heavens, I'm sorry, that just...you look exactly like your father when he was your age."
He smiled good naturedly, his eyes reflecting that smile like Lily's used to. "Oh, it's fine. I'm sorry I ran into you, Professor."
She shook her head. "Well, if you're apologizing for being in your own world, I'm afraid I must as well." Harry smiled. "Actually, I was looking for Remus, is he in there?"
"Uh, actually, he just left." He said, pointing down the corridor. "Snape's let slip that he's a werewolf."
Erin frowned. "That prick. I would jinx him again if he was going to convince fudge I was under a confundus charm."
Harry narrowed his eyes. "It's rubbish, that they wouldn't believe what we said about Sirius."
Erin sighed. "Yes, it is. But, I can rest better at night knowing he isn't in that horrible place anymore." She shuddered. "Even if he was a murderer, I'm not quite sure he would deserve that fate."
Harry nodded absently. "Yeah, I wouldn't recommend being around a Dementor to anyone. Except maybe Pettingrew." The last sentence was ground out darkly.
Erin nodded. "Yes. He's taken away my husband twice, and my best friends." She shook her head. "I feel sorry for how filthy his soul is."
Harry made a noise of consent.
Erin shook her head. "Well, I'd best catch Remus before he gets too far. He shouldn't go off on his own like this."
Harry nodded. "It was nice talking to you, professor."
Erin nodded, but before she left, she looked the young man over. He was very grown up for a boy his age. She supposed he'd have to have grown up fast, given what had happened to him in the past. "It was nice talking to you too, Harry. You're a nice boy, and if this thing with Sirius ever gets sorted, I'd love to have you in our house."
He smiled. "Well, I mean, is there any way, I could...i dunno, stay with you now?" He asked hopefully.
The teacher sighed. "I wish there was, but I was never legally married to Sirius, I would have no argument over your custody." Seeing his downcast look, she put a hand on his shoulder. "I know it isn't what you wanted to hear, but, you are growing into a strong young man, Harry. Even if you hate the people you stay with, you cannot deny they might have lent you many life experiences that have helped you forge your character." She winced. "Even if those life experiences weren't very pleasant."
He thought for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I suppose you're right professor."
Erin smiled. "Well, enough existential talk, I suppose your friends are looking for you."
He grinned. "Yeah. See you around."
The teacher smiled. "Of course." She watched as Harry walked off, before hurrying over where he'd pointed after Remus.
Even with her throbbing leg, she knew she was getting on twice as fast as he probably was, and she eventually let out a sigh of relief as she spotted him limping ahead of her down a corridor.
"Remus!" She called, pushing her body into a jog to catch up with him. He had stopped, waiting for her to meet him.
She was breathing heavily when she finally appeared by his side. "Heavens, I need to exercise more!"
Her friend chuckled tiredly. "Well, I've heard I gave you quite an exercise last night."
Erin put a hand on Remus's shoulder. "Don't feel bad about the whole thing, Remus. Sure, you missed your potion, but only because you raced off with me to help your dear friend, and to keep me out of trouble." She pointed out gently.
"I know, but-" He sighed.
"No." Erin interrupted firmly. "Don't feel sorry for what you are either."
He gave her a weary smile. "How can I not?" The conviction in his voice is what seemed to harm Erin, as her eyes scrunched up in pain. To him it was such a normal thing, to hate oneself.
She shook her head. "I will never think of you as just a werewolf, Remus. Do you know why? Because you're such a wonderful person."
He sighed. "Thank you, Gingerbread, for saying that." Erin frowned, because his subtext was, 'but I still don't believe it'. "But my carriage is waiting for me."
Erin frowned. "But, no, can't you stay for the train?"
"I'm afraid not, I don't want to make the students uncomfortable."
The ginger woman groaned. "Who cares about that, Moony! I'm going to tell Leona about Sirius on the train and I need you there, I need you there!" She reiterated. "Please."
He shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I cant. I can't stay here." He gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm sure you'll get on fine without me. You always have." With that, he started away, and Erin didn't have the words to chase after him. Of course, she understood his motives. This episode at Hogwarts had only served to remind him about what he was, what a danger he could be, and he couldn't bear to stay here any longer. However, she still felt slightly betrayed. She had needed his help.
Blinking, and shaking her head, she walked back towards her room. The castle was pretty much deserted now, as people had made their way outside to relax after all of the exams.
Erin hoped her daughter was relaxing now, because she wouldn't get a chance to, later.
This, of course, raised the next problem. How in the world was she going to tell Leona? Skirting around it wouldn't do much good. She'd only figure it out before it was said and feel all the more betrayed because her mother couldn't outright tell her. But, saying it out loud would be like a blow in the face...Would she accept it, deny it, be horrified...Maybe she should tell Leona about Sirius' innocence first, that way she wouldn't be met by her father being a murderer...This was why she needed Remus. He was so level headed about these things.
She made her way back to her room, waving her wand to enchant her items so that they flew about, packing themselves. While watching her things zoom about her room, and her luggage get pulled out, she sat down on her bed, resting her head on one of the four poster supports.
She was happy that Sirius wasn't in Askaban. She was sad he wasn't free. She was sad he wasn't with her. She was sad Remus had left. She was happy Sirius knew about Leona. But with all of those mingling feelings, she just felt sort of numb at the moment. And now the year was over, too.
A knocking on the doorframe made her look up.
"Remus?"
Her friend smiled back at her. "I didn't even make it to my carriage before I realized how rude I'd been. By the time I got there I checked myself enough to know I needed to come back, so I just let him know his services wouldn't be needed."
Erin grinned. "Thank you so much!" she gasped. "It means a great deal."
Lupin smiled. "I know. And to think how many times you've helped me before. I couldn't, with a clear conscience, leave. Not when you asked me to help." He stepped forward, nearly getting impaled with a pen that was whizzing towards her bag.
"Careful!" Erin laughed. "My things aren't very considerate."
"Well, I can see that." He chucked, as he pulled up a chair, setting down his case and jacket, and hanging his cane on the back of the chair.
"For the record." Said Erin, "I understood why you wanted to leave. It made sense."
He nodded. "But not when you take into account the loyalty I owe to you."
Erin smiled ruefully at his words. He always use payment words, like 'debt' and 'owe' or negative words, to get his point across. Didn't he know he wasn't constantly in everyone's debt? "You don't owe me anything, Remus. Your loyalty is a gift given, as is mine."
He smiled. "You always were the one to cheer me up like that. The boys tried but they never were as successful."
Erin smirked a little. "Yeah, well, I mean, they showed affection in different ways."
"Like trying to teach me how to fly on a broom?"
At that, Erin snorted with laughter. "Now that's a good memory. James was trying so hard to keep you on the thing, and Sirius was just laughing. Oh, goodness, and then you fell and I caught you."
"Yes, well, your definition of 'caught' obviously differs from mine."
Erin grinned, remembering the day like it was just yesterday.
"No, no! Moony, you have to grab the shaft of the broom TIGHT." Said James above her trying to keep his voice calm.
"Yeah!" Called Sirius from below them. "Like you would that Ravenclaw girl."
Erin rolled her eyes. "Oh, knock it off, Sirius!" She growled down at him. However, her neck was still craned upwards, watching her friend shake as he struggled to keep his broom steady. James was next to him on his broom, giving him pointers. The Hufflepuff girl was underneath both of them, hovering on her broom in case her friend fell. Peter was watching nervously on the ground, next to Sirius.
Still, Erin could hear Sirius's barking laugh from below her, and his comment was enough to make Remus wobble precariously on his broom. Thinking James had a handle on it, Erin looked down to aim a scowl at her boyfriend. "What was that for, you blithering-"
Suddenly Sirius's eyes flew wide open. "Gingerbread!" He yelled, pointing above her. She snapped her head up to see Remus slip off his broom with a yelp, his robes slipping through James' grasp. Everything seemed to go in slow motion. She saw the horrified look on James' face, and she saw Remus falling right on top of her. However, she couldn't seem to move. Only in the last second did she move backwards so his foot didn't plant in her face, but his body still crashed into her. The broom lurched wildly downwards as she tried to control its decent. She succeeded, and their fall was slowed to a safe speed. They thudded to the ground together, tangled up in the broom. Feet pounded on the grass as Peter and Sirius ran towards them, and a whooosh signaled that James had landed next to them.
"Are you all right?" He asked.
Both Remus and Erin nodded, though they untangled themselves stiffly. Remus stood up, and offered a hand to Erin, who winced as she stood up straight.
Sirius and Peter finally arrived on the scene. "You were supposed to catch him!" Gasped Sirius. "Aren't you a seeker?"
Erin narrowed her eyes and punched Sirius on the shoulder. "Shut up, you prick. If it wasn't for you, Remus wouldn't have fallen."
He shrugged, grinning. "How do you know? Maybe there was a gust of wind or-"
"Guys." Interrupted Remus. "I am never riding a broom again."
The Marauders all exchanged glances, then nodded.
"Good, because I don't thing Ginger here can take another blow to her ego." Said Sirius conversationally, though he had begun to back away from the girl.
Erin threw her broom on the ground and narrowed her eyes. The whole affect would have been intimidating had she contained the small smile on her lips. "Say that again, Padfoot."
He winked. "I might just if it gets you to chase me."
The Marauders laughed, and Erin rolled her eyes, smiling.
Erin smiled slightly, pulled out of her reverie. "Yes, I didn't really catch you. More like slowed your fall."
He chuckled. "I remember those days with fondness. We were all laughing. Sirius was flirting with you shamelessly."
Erin snorted, dismissing the comment, making her friend shake his head. "We were all relived when you two finally admitted you liked each other."
Erin smiled. "I know. The dance was our turning point."
Remus laughed. "Not just the dance. What happened after."
Erin blushed, covering her face with her hands. "Oh God! That was so embarrassing!"
The dance had finished, and everyone was heading back to their common rooms at their own pace. Lily and James were still there, slow dancing, and talking demurely over in a corner. Erin could see the blush on her cheeks.
"Lily seems to be enjoying her time with James." Erin mused, before looking back down to make sure her feet were doing what they were supposed to.
"Ah, I knew she'd come around to his charms eventually." Said Sirius above her head.
Erin snorted. "No, she only came around when he started acting like a gentleman."
He chuckled. "I suppose you're right."
Erin laughed, looking up at him. "What, the great Sirius Black admits that I'm right? What world are we living in?"
He rolled his eyes. "A generous one."
Erin stepped on his foot hard. "Oops. Sorry, I keep doing that."
"I'm beginning to wonder if you're actually a bad dancer, or if you just want to torture me."
Erin smiled up at him. "I think it's both."
He smiled back down at her. "You think it's time to head back?"
She looked around. Even the stragglers were clearing out. "Yeah, I guess."
He offered his arm to her, and she laughed, taking it. They met up with Lily and James on the way out, and chatted until they got to the Library, where Remus had told them they would be until late, finishing a potions essay. Unsurprisingly, there was hardly anyone in the Library, and as the four of them entered, Remus noticed them from his nook in the corner where he was sitting with Peter. He waved them over, and they met him.
"How was it?" he asked.
Lily smiled, "Surprisingly good."
James made a face. "Surprisingly?"
Lily laughed, and winked. "Very."
"How about you two?" asked Remus, turning to Erin and Sirius.
Erin smiled. "It was fun."
"Yeah, it wasn't as awkward as expected." He grinned.
Erin turned to him. "You expected it to be awkward?"
"Well, yeah." He said. "We're friends. It could have gone all wrong, but after a bit it was like normal." Clearly he meant that as a compliment.
Erin tried not to let her smile fall, but a pit settled in her stomach. "Well, that's good." She said stiffly.
Lily looked between them. "Well, I'm going to bed, so, see you guys later." She waved and headed to the common room.
Sirius didn't notice the looks James and Remus were giving him. Actually, he looked unlike himself. He looked...uneasy.
James nudged him obviously. "Whaddoya mean, just like normal, Padfoot? You just took a beautiful lady out to a dance."
Erin blushed, but not out of pleasure. Suddenly the whole night turned to utter embarrassment.
"No, James. Obviously he had a fun time taking his friend out to the dance." She said softly, with a fake smile. "I think I'll turn in." She turned away quickly, but something pulled on the hem of her dress, causing her to tumble onto the ground.
She seriously pondered just staying there. The night had turned awful.
Gone was Sirius' natural grace. "Oh, my god. Erin, I'm so sorry, I just-whoa!"
He tumbled down on top of her awkwardly. When Erin looked up at a sniggering James, she knew what had happened. "James!" she hissed. "What the hell?"
Sirius struggled upwards and grabbed her hand, helping her up.
"Oh, come on!" James said, rolling his eyes. "Just admit it, you two!" His voice was the definition of exasperation.
"Admit what?" Asked Erin.
"That you were made to be on top of each other."
Erin blushed furiously and Lupin rolled his eyes.
"Really, James, don't you think we should be handling this with a little more subtly?" He asked.
James just scoffed at that. "And that's accomplished nothing so far."
Sirius' face was also flushed, but at this moment it was due at least partially to the fact that he was livid. "Would you two like to inform me what 'this' is?" He growled.
Remus was the one to explain this time. "We thought we'd finally succeeded when we got you to work up to courage to ask her to the dance."
"Operation 'Get Sirius and Erin Together'" Supplied James.
"W-What?" Sirius spluttered.
Erin was still a violent shade of scarlet. "No, no you two, you have it all wrong. I might love him, but it's obvious he doesn't love me." She didn't enjoy putting it all out there like that, but she just wanted to get this cleared away so it wasn't brought up again.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Said Sirius loudly. "Of course I'm in love with you." Erin froze. James and Remus exchanged excited glances. "I just didn't know how to bloody well say it."
"I'd say what you just did was fine." Said James, close to laughter.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Of course, I thought you didn't like me like that."
Erin blinked, and then her face broke into a huge grin. "Don't be ridiculous." She grinned. "Of course I'm in love with you."
Sirius laughed, and he swooped in to kiss her, his normal easy confidence back. James and Remus high-fived behind the pair, and Peter was clapping.
Sirius pulled away. "Well, now that the details are all settled, I'd really like to do that more often."
Erin laughed, and kissed him again.
"He always was so cheeky." Said Remus. "I can count on one hand the times I've seen him off his game and it was almost always when something happened with you."
Erin was still smiling at the memory. "Yes. Yes, he was always so bloody confident." She laughed softly. "Even during the war." Her smile wavered slightly. "He was scared, I think, at least a little. I mean, his family had Death Eaters in it who would like nothing better than to kill him. But, he never showed it. Not when he thought I was looking."
Remus hummed. "Yes. You were the world to him. He loved James and Lily and I and even Peter as much as he could in the old days. He loved us to his fullest. But that love couldn't compare to what blossomed between you two. I don't think there was a thing he wouldn't do to keep you safe."
Erin smiled. "Yes, I know. But sometimes I think he doesn't realize that I would do the same. I mean, it always used to irritate me when he'd do something stupidly rash that almost got himself killed, just to help me. I mean, I can hold my own in a fight, thank you, and it always terrified me."
Remus smiled. "Yes, well, that's just Sirius. He always did stupidly brave things."
Erin rolled her eyes, but her expression was soft. "Yes, he did." Then, she frowned slightly. "Remus, do you think he's changed, after Askaban?"
Her friend sighed. "Do you even need to ask, Erin?" She shook her head. "What hasn't changed, is how much he cares about you. Whatever happens, remember that."
She nodded. "Of course." She smiled. "I don't care if we aren't married yet, one day we will be. I won't ever leave his side."
Remus smiled. "Just as it should have been."
Erin grinned. "As it will be."
"That sounds like a toast!" Said her friend, happily. "Do you have something to drink?"
Erin laughed. "I believe I have some wine somewhere." She swished her wand and the bottle wormed it's way out of her bag and flew towards her. She caught it and then summoned two wine glasses. She poured a little in each one and set the bottle away, handing a glass to Remus. "A toast."
He smiled. "To Sirius Black."
Erin added on, "and to old memories and memories to come." And they raised the glassed to each other and drank to their old friend.
The rest of the night was spent reminiscing. Erin at one point asked for some food from the house elves to take back to her room so they wouldn't have to go to the great hall. But as the night went on, Erin got more and more nervous about telling Leona about her father.
Remus tried to console her. "She'll accept it, eventually. Maybe not at first, but..."
"I've already told her things about him. I just haven't told her who he is." Erin murmured. "Maybe that will help? I mean, she already loves the idea of him."
Remus nodded. "I suspect that will lighten the blow."
So, they both gathered the remainder of their stuff, Erin floating her luggage behind her, and they headed to the train to get early seats. They loaded their luggage on and went to find good seats. They walked all the way to the last car, the one the Marauders always used to occupy.
"Remember when we first met?" Remus asked.
Erin nodded. "Yeah, I didn't know where else to sit and you let me sit here."
He laughed. "And then Sirius and James butted in."
She smiled. "Just like they always did. James was always so arrogant! And so was Sirius, I suppose. He just covered it up with his casual elegance."
Remus made a face. "What does that have do with anything?"
Erin laughed. "Well, with James, he just acted like he was better than you. Sirius, well, he just sort of walked around and people naturally thought he was better than them, you know what I mean?"
Lupin chuckled. "Still arrogant." Erin let out a little bark of laughter. "That! You got that from Sirius. Your laugh you do sometimes."
"What?" Asked a voice from the hallway. "Sirius Black?"
Erin turned to see her daughter looking between her and Lupin warily. "Leona, please come in." Her daughter did, but slowly, and she sat next to her mother. Lupin's face was sort of pained. Erin suppressed a sigh. "Yes, Remus is a werewolf, but he's completely harmless. Nicest man I've ever met."
Remus gave her a look. "Nicest man?"
Erin smiled. "You don't do the arrogance thing." At this, he smiled.
"Sorry." said Leona, slightly uncomfortable. "I just have never met a werewolf before. I didn't expect you to be super nice and an awesome teacher."
It was obvious that Lupin was touched at this. He smiled at his friend's daughter. "Thank you."
Leona held out a hand. "So, handshake, now that I've been introduced properly." Lupin's face was so startled, it was hilarious. Erin was trying to stuff a laugh down her throat. Her friend slowly took her daughter's hand and shook it, and finally Erin couldn't hold it back any more.
"Oh my gosh, Remus, that's exactly what he said!" She gasped.
He nodded, smiling uncertainly. "I know. It's uncanny."
Leona frowned. "Will someone please tell me what's going on? First, every time she catches me getting into trouble McGonagall says something about my father doing the same thing, and every time Snape wants to randomly take points away from Gryffindor, he says something about my father being a mangy swine who was as bad at potions as I am, and now you guys!" She ranted, eyes wide. "I don't understand!"
Erin looked towards Remus. "Sweetheart, I want you to listen to what I say, the whole conversation, okay? I mean, I don't want you to leave before I say my piece. Can you do that?"
Leona nodded eagerly. "Duh! I want to know about dad!" she said enthusiastically.
Erin smiled. "All right, honey. Well, you remember when I told you about how Remus and I used to be friends with your father?" She nodded. Erin looked towards her friend and then took a deep breath. "Well, we were all friends. Lupin, me, James Potter, a man named Peter Pettingrew, and your dad." She paused, steadying herself. "Sirius Black."
She peeked at her daughter, who's face was carefully blank. Then, Leona let out a bark of laughter. "That is really funny you guys. That's hilarious!" she was laughing, doubling over in mirth, and Erin sent a frenzied look to Remus, who just shrugged worriedly. After a short amount of time, Leona wiped her eyes and caught her breath. "But no, really, who's my dad?"
Erin sighed, pulling out of her pocket an old, wrinkled picture. She stared at it for a moment. She was next to Sirius, who had his arm around her. He kissed her forehead and she pretended to be grossed out, poking him in the face. They both laughed, and then waved up out of the picture. Gently, she gave the picture to her daughter. "We took that before James and Lily's wedding, Harry's parents. We were so happy to have something to celebrate, then, with the war on."
Leona gawked at the picture, tears in her eyes. "No. No, that's not true." She threw the picture back at her mother. "You talked about him like he was a king, the best man you'd ever met. But he's a lunatic, a crazy murderer!" She angrily wiped her tears away. "That's why you wouldn't tell me, huh? You didn't want me to know who he was. So what? So I wouldn't be ashamed, so I wouldn't be terrified? What the hell mom, how could you love a man like that?"
Erin blinked away tears. "Leona, please, you don't know the whole story."
Leona scoffed, crossing her arms. "He killed 13 people, mom. He broke in the school and attacked Neville. I know enough." She got up quickly and made for the door.
"Leona." Said Lupin forcefully. "You promised your mother you wouldn't leave until you heard the whole story."
Leona paused at the doorway, before turning around and leaning on it. "Okay, fine, talk away."
Erin gave Lupin a grateful look. "Thanks, Remus." She took another breath. "All other things aside, you need to know what happened last night."
Leona looked interested. Giving in, she sat down again.
Erin began a recounting of last night, letting Lupin interject when he needed to, like when he would say, "I can't believe they did that for me" or, "Sirius was so happy when he saw your mother" and not to forget, "Your mother blasted Snape against the wall so hard he was bleeding!" That last one was good for reaching Leona. She had laughed at it.
"...and that's the last thing I remember, although somehow I ended up next to where Sirius was imprisoned. I didn't have my wand, and Dumbledore said he'd let me up there for some last words, but that my mind had been wiped of those moments. I can't recall who freed him."
Remus laughed. "It was Harry and Hermione, of course."
Leona and Erin wore identical looks of surprise. "What?"
He smiled. "Sirius was going to tell you everything through letter, so I didn't comment before, but apparently they did it. Don't ask me how."
Erin laughed. "Well, I'll have to thank them."
"Yeah..." muttered Leona.
Erin looked her daughter over closely. "Are you all right, darling?"
Leona pursed her lips seriously before nodding to her mother. "I-I think so. It was just a bit...shocking."
Erin laughed. "Yeah, I can understand."
"But imagine your mother last night, when she finally knew she had been right the whole time." Said Remus, smiling.
Leona frowned. "The whole time?"
Erin smiled, but Remus spoke. "Erin never gave up on your father."
Leona looked to her mother, who was stroking her picture lovingly. "I knew he couldn't do it. It just didn't make sense. Your father had many flaws, but he was always unequally brave and unequivocally loving. He would have died before he let slip any information about Harry's parents."
Her daughter nodded. "I-well, I believe you. I have to, you're my mother and you'd never tell me all this if it wasn't true...but it's just a lot to absorb." Her mother reached her hands out in an offer to hug, and her daughter took it. "Can I go talk to Harry about this? I think him, Ron, and Hermione all got a car to themselves."
Erin nodded. "Of course."
Leona smiled. "Oh, and can I borrow that picture, Harry might want to see it." Her agreed and handed it over, watching her daughter as she left.
"You know, she is quite like him sometimes." Mused Remus.
Erin nodded. "Yeah, he wouldn't have admitted he just wanted the picture either."
After awhile, Leona came back, and she was clutching two unopened envelopes. "MOM!" She cried. "Look! Dad sent Harry a letter and he sent us some too!" She handed her mother one.
Indeed, on it, was the name 'Gingerbread' in Sirius' normal scrawl.
Erin grinned, ripping it open.
My Gingerbread,
I'm sorry it took me this long to reach you, but I promised I'd give you a full report of what happened that night when Harry and Hermione broke me out, so here I am, keeping my promise. You always got on my about that, didn't you?
"Well, yeah." Erin hissed under her breath. Lupin chuckled. Leona was absorbed in her letter.
True to his word, Sirius recounted the events of that night, although it was horribly comic the way he wrote it from his perspective. Phrases like, "Her scarlet hair whipped through the night breeze like blood from an open wound" and, "Like a fire her eyes seemed to burn into me, staring deep into my very soul," got Erin to snort. He was just being a smart aleck. He told her about how he erased her memory and they escaped on Buckbeak, and how he still had the hippogriff. Erin was glad he had some company.
I know I want to see you badly, and I want to meet our daughter, but now is not the time. I need to leave England, lie low for a little bit. You're probably laughing at that, about how for once, I'm the once insisting I be safe. It is a bit Ironic. One day, though, I promise I'll come back to you two.
For now, though, take care of yourselves. Don't let Remus go off on his own without keeping in contact, and don't worry yourself. We'll see each other soon, I promise. Besides, we've waited 12 years, what's another one? I know, I know, an agony, but it's one we'll have to bear together.
Love you forever, Padfoot.
Erin smiled at her letter, setting it down. Looking over at her daughter, hear heart was warmed to see that she was grinning, and her eyes were glassy with unshed tears.
Remembering the part in her letter about Remus, Erin turned to him. "You don't get to run off like last time, Remus. I'm taking you home for some proper meals." She could tell her friend was poised to refuse, but she cut him off. "No. I know you have little else to do, and I insist. Besides," she smiled, brandishing the letter. "Sirius told me to take care of you."
Finally acquiescing, he nodded, a smile on his face.
Erin grinned. She had her friend and her daughter with her, and home was not a mile from the Weasleys. Her fiance was free and she could correspond with him when she liked. All and all, she figured, this had been a really great year.
So that's the end of the third book! And most of my pre-written stuff. So now I'll have to get back into writing new stuff and exploring the characters a little more. So if any of you have things that you would particularly like to see between the characters now is the time to make any suggestions:) If you want a scene that sounds cool I'll be sure to write it! It might take a little longer with the next chapter, but I hope not too long! Reviews help me write:)