The following morning Beaker, as best he could, tried to wake his Master quietly. The house elf had no way of knowing that his Master had been drinking the night before.
"What the bloody hell! Could you please not be so loud?" Barked Severus.
"Beaker sorry Master." Beaker said as quietly as he could.
Severus realized that his house elf was speaking as quiet as he could and yet be heard. Severus then remembered drinking himself into a stupor but for the moment could not recall why he had drank so much the night before.
"My apologies Beaker, I drank a little too much last night."
"Beaker bring Master a hangover relieving potion." Beaker said before bowing and non-magically left the room, to only return a short time later the same the way.
"Thank you Beaker. Again I do apologize…it is inexcusable how I spoke to you a moment ago. I do appreciate your help."
"Master feel better? You get letter yesterday and feel bad."
"Letter?"
"Letter. Why read again when make you feel bad?"
Severus was still a bit confused. He could not remember anything about a letter but then again he had drank quite a bit the night before, not that he remembered how much he had exactly but he knew it was a lot to be feeling the way he had when he first woke up and still felt. Severus moved and heard the sound of parchment crinkling. He looked down to see he was indeed clutching what appeared to be a letter. Severus looked at the parchment and at seeing Lily's handwriting everything came flooding back to him. And again he could not keep from reading the damn letter again. Severus did not eat much throughout the day or the following days either, instead he drank himself unconscious.
Severus' house elf Beaker was beside himself and did not know what to do. Beaker knew that he would be better off leaving the letter untouched and left it untouched. Beaker wanted to get help for his Master but knew better of trying to get such help from outside the house. His Master was a private man and had been for quite some time. Beaker was treated very kindly by his Master, even when the psychopath was at large. Beaker did not want to do anything to upset his Master or make his Master angry. He still did not know what to do other than make sure that his Master had enough hangover relieving potion in the house and if not he knew he would have to go to his Master's quarters at Hogwarts and check for some there. Beaker decided that if this drinking continued for another week he would have to alert the Headmaster of Hogwarts so he could intervene and hopefully help his Master. Beaker thought that if his Master would just stop reading that letter…
Sirius woke up early, really early. He quickly got out of bed, showered, dressed and went down to the kitchen to have a bite to eat before heading out to get his daughter and Marie. Once Sirius was ready he stepped outside of Grimmuald Place. He glanced around even though he knew no one, no Muggle, would be up just yet. He did not want to waste any time so he apparated to an alley near Marie's house. Again he checked just to be sure that no Muggle would see him walk out of the alley. Once Sirius was sure that it would be safe to step out he did and proceeded to walk up the street for a short distance and then up to the door. He knocked and waited. Not even a minute later the door opened.
"DAD!" Violet screeched excitedly as she launched herself at her father and hugged him as though she might never see him again.
"Good morning Violet." Sirius said shocked at his daughter's reaction to seeing him on the other side of the door.
"Good Morning." Violet said while still clinging to her father.
"I'm not going anywhere. And you will see me…a lot. How about we go inside and talk okay?"
"Oh, right. Sorry for…I've just…am I actually awake or am I still dreaming?" Violet muttered as she stepped aside to let her father into the house. Violet quickly shut the door and led her father to the kitchen.
"You are a wake. I am really here. How has Marie been?"
"It's a good day for her. So, are we still moving in with you? Or…"
"You both are still moving in. I am not going back on that."
"Not to be rude or anything but…"
"I want both of you close by, the best way to ensure that is to have both you living in my house. I refuse to separate you and Marie, if it is in my power I will not let that happen. I want to get to know you, you are my daughter and I want to…"
Violet smiled, she knew what he was trying to say and let him know silently that he did not have to say the words…just yet anyway.
"Sirius, what a surprise. Is everything all right? Is it taking longer than expected?"
"Good morning Marie. Everything has gone smoothly in fact if the two of you are ready I can take you to my place today."
"Today? Really?" Violet asked with the obvious tones of not wanting to believe that this happening to have it all have been a dream.
"Yes today. The Weasley's have moved into their new house, with help I have two rooms set up for each of you. The rooms are across from each other, I thought that both of you would appreciate separate rooms but close…"
"Thank you. We've been ready for a few days."
"My dear Violet you've had us ready to go at a moment's notice since we accepted your father's invitation to move into his home." Marie said teasingly.
"Well…I just wanted to be ready. "
Sirius was smiling at his daughter. He was delighted to know that she was eager to move in, as eager as he was for her to be living with him.
"I was going to wait to mention something but I feel that I should bring up it up now."
"Go on then Sirius." Said Marie.
"Well, I was talking with…since you were with Ruby…well, there might be something that our Healers could possibly do. I have yet to speak to anyone at St. Mungo's, I thought that I would see if you were willing to let the Healers see what they might be able to find out as to what is going on. I didn't want to speak with anyone at St. Mungo's without speaking with you first. It is your choice. Would you be willing to let the Healers at St. Mungo's try and see what is ailing you?"
"Yes I am willing to see what they might be able to find out. It can't hurt anything. Now of course hopefully they will be willing to try and find out what is making me so ill. I am a Muggle and well…"
"I will speak with someone at St. Mungo's soon. Now, Violet, I am under the impression that your mo…that Ruby left us a letter."
"Yes she did. I have it in my pocket. I have not yet read it...I wanted to wait until I found you so that we could read it together. As much as I want to know what she has said in the letter, I don't want to read it quiet yet. At least not right now. Maybe in a few days, after we have settled in."
"I agree. So, shall we?"
"Wait, how are we getting to your house? Are we walking, apparating or other means of transportation?"
"I really hadn't thought about that. All I thought about was getting here and bringing both of you to my house. Walking not an option, I don't have any Muggle money and I don't feel comfortable apparating with two other's plus luggage. But I could make more than one trip. Violet, I think it would be best if I brought you to…home first. Harry and Hermione are there."
"Okay. They already know me so..."
Sirius shrunk all of their luggage, offered his arm to Violet. Once Violet had a good hold on Sirius he turned on the spot to only appear in the living room of Grimmuald Place a few second later.
"Harry, Hermione would you two please show Violet to her room and help her unpack?"
"Sure." Harry and Hermione replied.
As Sirius disapparated out, Harry and Hermione led Violet up the stairs. Once the reached Violet's room, Harry returned the luggage to its normal state. As Violet let them know which bags belonged to Marie they would carry those items across the hall and set them on or near the dresser and closet but yet out of the way so no one would trip over them.
Sirius returned with Marie and showed her to her room. He then went back down stairs and let Kreacher know what to make for dinner that night as well as how many would be there for dinner.
Hermione and Remus stayed for dinner but left for Potter Manor shortly after they finished. Harry promised that he would be there soon.
The following day Harry did his best to entertain Violet and Marie while Sirius stepped out for a moment. Harry knew that Sirius was going to speak to someone at St. Mungo's and hoped that the Healers would take the time to see if they could find out what was going on where as the Muggle Doctors have not been able to. He could not resist telling them about when Sirius had been so angry that he was stuck in his animagus form. He had explained about animagi and what Sirius' form is, he left out the exact details as to why Sirius was so angry. Violet and Marie laughed so hard that they had tears rolling down their faces when Harry told them what he had done to Sirius. They were all still laughing when Sirius returned. Harry completely sobered up at seeing the look on Sirius' face.
"Sirius what's wrong?"
"I never thought that I would be ashamed of the Magical community."
"What do you mean?"
"The person I spoke to was no help. All I was after was to find out how soon they would be able to see Marie. The second I mentioned Muggle well let's just say that it did not go well. I did in the end get an appointment with the main director, it's just not for a while. Supposedly the earliest I can discuss the situation is towards the end of July. I am not just going to sit around and wait until then. I am going to try to see if I can talk to someone else in the meantime and hopefully be able to get Marie in as soon as possible. Marie if you experience any changes as in new symptoms or current symptoms become worse let me know and the rest of us will keep an extra eye on you okay."
"Sounds like a plan to me."
"Sirius I would like a word, in private."
"Of course Harry."
Harry and Sirius walked through the house to a secluded area.
"What's on your mind Harry?"
"I was thinking that tomorrow I will join Hermione and Moony at my place. Don't get me wrong I would love to stay and visit but…you, Violet and Marie need to spend time together. Time alone. That and I am sure that you and Violet would like to spend some time together and read that letter. I know I don't have to leave, but I just want to give the three of you time to talk, for you to be able to find the missing pieces from you know…the way you found out about Violet…well it shouldn't have been like that."
"Thank you Harry. I really appreciate this. It would be fine with me if you stayed, after all you are part of the family here."
"I know the three of you need to spend the time. So you don't mind me taking off to the manor tomorrow then?"
"No I do no mind that you will be taking off. Thank you again."
Sirius was doing his best to not think about what had happened at St. Mungo's. He was sure that the witch he had spoken to today only heard the word 'Muggle' and nothing else as well as forgot everything he had said before. As soon as possible he was going to find if there was someone there at St. Mungo's that will listen to everything he has to say and not only retain the word 'Muggle'. But it would have to wait a little while. He was looking forward to spending time with Violet and Marie. They were and are the only connection to Ruby. Sirius managed to keep his thoughts of St. Mungo's from being at the forefront of his mind and focused on his daughter, Marie and Harry. They all talked and laughed for the remainder of the day.
The following morning Harry got out of bed, showered, changed and went down for breakfast. Other than Harry and Kreacher no one else was up. Once Harry finished eating he let Kreacher know that he was going to the Manor and to let Sirius know as soon as he was up so that he didn't worry. Harry also let Kreacher know that the rest of the inhabitants will be remaining for a while and then Harry apparated to Potter Manor.
Within a half hour Sirius entered the kitchen.
"Master sleep well?"
"Yes. Thank you for asking Kreacher. Has Harry woken?"
"Yes Master. Master Harry has already had breakfast and went to the Manor."
"Thank you Kreacher. I am surprised that he was up so early."
Sirius was just finishing up his breakfast when Marie and Violet came down.
After breakfast they made their way to the living room and became comfortable.
"Sirius, I am sure you are wondering what happened the night you proposed and Ruby accepted."
"For the past twelve years."
"When she showed up at my house she was so scared, hysterical. She had first gone to her home to find it destroyed and knowing that everyone inside was…My family knew that something really bad was happening and we were getting ready to leave. The thought that people were rioting, I on the other hand knew what was going on, Ruby had confided in me. I promised and swore that I would never tell anyone of what she told me. She was so worried about you. She didn't know where you were, she didn't know what was going on where ever you were. She was torn between wishing you were still with her and wishing that she was with you. I had never seen her so shaken or frightened the whole time I knew her. She didn't tell me what had happened wherever she had been. My parents were ready to go so she climbed in the car and left with us. I knew then and know now that she only did it because she was terrified and did not want to be alone. My father drove as far from our home as possible. We actually had to walk for nearly two hours until we finally reached the airport.
We settled in Paris. A few months later Ruby was complaining about not feeling well. She wouldn't elaborate in the slightest. My mother insisted on taking her to the hospital. Ruby agreed, once there Ruby refused to have any of us go in with her. That night she confided in me that she was pregnant. We managed to find a magical hospital. I would give you the name in this letter but I did not give my real name to the Healers."
"I should not have left her."
"Dad, it's not your fault what happened. You can't blame yourself. From what I have heard…I could have lost both of you."
"Violet, why don't you and Sirius read the letter from your mother? I will leave you two alone for that. Don't worry. I'll be up in my room. I am feeling quite tiered at the moment. Not to worry Sirius, I have spells where I get really tired."
Sirius nodded as Marie walked out of the room. He was worried about her, and knew that his daughter was worried as well buy the look on her face.
Violet shook her head clear, pulled the letter out of her pocket, opened the envelope, pulled out and unfolded the parchment inside. Sirius leaned over and they read,
My Dearest Love and Daughter, July 15, 1982
I have spent some time trying to figure out what exactly to tell you both. As I write this I know I don't have much time left. I have a couple of vials of memories for both of you and hope that one day you will be able to view the memories together. Most would think that maybe not all of the memories would be suitable for a child. I have no idea how long it will be until you both are together I will leave that decision up to you. Please do not mourn my death, Sirius my love celebrate my life and tell Violet all about me. I so with I could be there with you both.
To actually begin, Violet, know that your father and I were so in love. From the first time I saw and met your father I knew he was the one and only for me. He asked me to marry him on October 31, 1981 and I said yes. That night, I am sure you have guessed that we got a little carried away. I have no complaints nor do I have regrets about getting carried away. Your father only left his place to tell his best friends, James and Lily Potter. The four of us were going to try and celebrate together. I remember Sirius (your father) grumbling about that it would be so much easier if James had his cloak. Though so wrong and dangerous (I was insistent), the plan was to sneak them out and their son Harry. I waited for your father to return. After about an hour I knew something was wrong, something seriously wrong if not deadly wrong. He promised to come back and get me. Your father never broke a promise to me or anyone. When he didn't return I was so scared. I was hoping that he was still alive and that James and Lily were all right as well. I couldn't take it anymore, so I stepped outside and it was horrible. There were Death Eaters everywhere. They were firing one spell after another. So many innocent people, Muggle and Magical families alike were falling like flies. I quickly closed the door, grabbed a few things and left a note for you father so he could find me and I left. I was so scared for myself and so many others.
I managed to get to get to my parents' house undetected. But the Death Eaters had already been there. There wasn't much left of the house and I knew that part of my family was gone. Not only was I scared but I was heartbroken. I almost went back to your father's place but thought better of it and went to my best friend's house, Marie. She is a Muggle. As a child I wasn't supposed to tell her anything about magic or Hogwarts, but I couldn't keep it from her. Her family thought it was cute that we played as though we had magical powers.
Any way I went to Marie's parents' house. They were all scared. They didn't know what was really going on, they thought people were rioting. I eventually told Marie what had been going on. So, I went with Marie and her parents, we fled to Paris. I planned to return to London and find your father. But I fell ill. Somehow some kind of curse hit me when I fled your father's place. I didn't notice that had happened at the time.
Marie and I found a magical hospital and sought help. They could have healed me but they found out that I'm pregnant. What it would take to heal me would kill you. So I have decided take a chance and wait until you are born before they attempt to heal me if it is even possible. I hope that I will make it but I doubt it so I am writing this now so you understand. If any luck I will be strong enough to hold on long enough for the Healers to do what they do best. I don't think that I will be able to, but like I said I hope that I do. I feel worse now than when I started this letter. Marie has agreed to care for you and return to London to find your father and make things right.
I know that your father is currently in Azkaban Prizon. Whatever they say he did it is not true. Your father was not the Potter's Secret Keeper. He would never have betrayed James, Lily and adorable little Harry. Peter, I think Pettigrew is the slime balls last name, he was Secret Keeper for the Potter's. My dear Violet if your father is still there in that horrible place, show this letter and have the Ministry view the small vial, it is labeled. It contains my memory of the night when Sirius suggested that Peter be their Secret Keeper instead of your father and they agreed. The only ones that knew of the change are as follows: James, Lily, Peter, your father and myself. Oh, the slime ball Peter is an unregistered animagus, his form is that of a rat and I tell you it fits perfectly.
Violet your father is Sirius Black, the only decent Black in the whole family. He is the Godfather to James and Lily's son, Harry James Potter.
I wish I could be there to pass on the information to the Ministry. I am just too ill, I have to save my strength and energy to bring you into my life. If I make it and can't free your father, I'll always have him through you.
I love you so much my baby girl. I could go on writing to you forever, but I need to say something to your father.
Sirius my love,
I love you so much. I wish I could be telling you this in person, although if you've been reading this you already know about our daughter. I don't regret the night you proposed…when everything was perfect. A part of me wishes that I didn't let you go and made you stay with me. To have at least tried to convince you to wait until the next day. Knowing that I would have never managed to succeed, I'd have insisted on going with you.
There is so much I want to say to you. I wish I could go on. I need to stop and rest. Before I do, the only thing keeping me sane is knowing that someday you and our daughter will be together. You'll be the family…well, not quite what I had always wanted. I'd be there and Violet would not be an only child.
Oh, my love please let Marie be a part of the little family you and Violet make up. Marie's parents died a few weeks ago, she has no one except Violet. Between both of you, our daughter will know me as though I've always been there.
Before I close, I want you to know that the day you appeared in my life changed everything for me. What I mean is that you gave me everything, what I always wanted for myself, what I always wanted in a man and so much more.
Sorry to get so mushy or emotional or whatever, but I had to tell you. If not now in this letter then I may never have the chance to do so.
I love you both so much. Sirius if for some reason you come to Paris and want to…I don't know…visit my gra…you won't find it under McKinnon, it will be under Black. Though we didn't get the wedding…to me it feels as though we did get it. I'm yours and always have been and always will be just as you are mine now and always no matter what.
With all my love,
Ruby Black
Violet was leaning against Sirius, clutching his hand as tears streaked down her face. Sirius had his arm around Violet and held her close, tightened his arm around her and cried, sobbed with her. Sirius hoped that he would not dwell on what could have been if Ruby had not died and managed to get him out of Azkaban. He was sure that he would, but hoped that he wouldn't become consumed on what he could have had, what he has lost but instead focus on what he has.
