Author's Note: Okay, so I feel so bad that I left my fans for so long thanks to technical difficulties, so I'm posting another chapter today instead of my usual every-other-day updating. Remember, I own Alex and some of the plot but that's it! :)

Chapter 18 The Aftermath

Groaning, Alex opened her eyes and saw Madame Pomfrey over her, holding a vial full of clear liquid.

"Welcome back, my dear," the matron said and set the vial down, "You've been through a rough night, what with your leg and Sirius Black attacking you. You're lucky he only Stunned you."

These words took awhile to sink in but when they did, Alex sat up quickly.

"Who told you that?" Alex asked.

"Professor Snape brought all four of you in. He said that Black went after you and Mr. Weasley because of your legs. Mr. Potter and Miss Granger were attacked by the dementors, probably chasing Black and happened to run into them."

"Madame Pomfrey, you have it all wrong," said Alex frantically, "Snape attacked me and Ron, not Sirius. Harry and Hermione were chasing Sirius, but because he was going to get hurt. Sirius is innocent! It was Pettigrew who killed all those Muggles!"

"Miss Ratcliff, you're confused," said Madame Pomfrey gently, "Black attacked you with a charm that's made you this way. You don't know what you're talking about."

"No, you don't understand-" said Alex but was cut off.

"Not another word, Miss Ratcliff," the matron said sharply, but continued in a softer tone, "Try and rest, you'll feel better soon."

"Madame Pomfrey," said Alex as the matron left, "Just one question: Where is Sirius?"

"Professor Snape found him along with your other friends," Madame Pomfrey said, "The dementors will deal with him, I expect. Soon, we'll be rid of that horrid man."

If she thought that would calm Alex down, it was the opposite affect. Alex's lip trembled and tears streamed down her face like a waterfall. She put her head in her hands and began to cry, her shoulders shaking. When Madame Pomfrey came to comfort her, Alex shrugged her off. The matron sighed and went to check on the others.

How could they do this? It wasn't fair, her father was innocent! Her father…he was going to have a fate worse than death. She never got to tell him everything, how she started school, all her adventures. She never even got to tell him she loved him. Didn't every father deserve to hear that from his children at least once?

Once Alex managed to calm down, she leaned against the frame of her bed and took in her surroundings. It was pitch black outside except for the full moonlight shining through the windows. All her other friends were still out cold from whatever happened to them. Alex's leg was heavily bandaged and it hurt like hell when she moved it.

Madame Pomfrey saw Alex sitting up and not crying and went to her with a tray of soup and a potion.

"Here you are, Ratcliff," the matron said, "Something for your stomach and something to help you sleep. You won't have any dreams with this stuff."

"Thank you Madame Pomfrey," said Alex, "But can I just have something for my leg? I don't want to sleep, not yet."

Madame Pomfrey sighed and took the potion away and returned with another vial, this potion was misty grey. Alex took the potion and her leg felt much better. She ate her soup quietly and Madame Pomfrey took that away as well.

While she gazed off by her bedside window, she saw a quill, ink bottle, and a piece of parchment on a clipboard. She could write a note to her dad and demand that Madame Pomfrey give it to her father before the kiss. Looking around for the matron, Alex took these objects and began writing her note.

Dear Dad,

Wow, that seems so strange, writing the word "Dad". Even saying it about a person is new to me. Madame Pomfrey told me you were going to the dementors. I'm writing this in the hopes you will read it before…you know.

When I first saw Hogwarts, I felt like this place would become a second home to me, and it has. This is mostly because of my great friends: Hermione, Ron, and of course, Harry. We've been through so much together and it's only our third year. I can't even imagine what the rest of our time here will be like.

In our first year, the four of us managed to find the Sorcerer's Stone (with a little help from Hagrid). It turns out that our new Defense teacher, Quirrell, had Voldemort in his head, literally. If the four of us hadn't stopped him, Voldemort would have come back to his full power. At first, we thought it was Snape who was helping Voldemort, and who wouldn't with him hating the ground we walk on?

My second year was a lot shorter because I was attacked by a Basilisk. Don't worry though, I was only petrified for a few months (which, looking back at that sentence, sounds like something to fret about). Anyway, with Hermione's and my help, Harry and Ron were able to kill the monster.

And now this year, we've learned that one of our professors is a werewolf, Pettigrew was the one who sold our parents to Voldemort, and that you were innocent. I also learned the real reason why Snape hates Harry, because of his father.

And now I come to the end of my letter to you. I just want to say that I love you so much and I wish we had more time to spend with each other. I'll never forget you and, if it's the last thing I do, I'll make sure the whole world knows you were framed. I love you Dad.

Your ever loving daughter,

Alexandria Black

Alex folded the note and put the quill and ink back on the table just as she saw Hermione and Harry stir. She also heard voices coming toward the Hospital Wing.

"…can't believe all that's happened today. You'll get an Order of Merlin for this Professor Snape, First Class if I have anything to do with it. I suppose you found the other two with him?"

"They were unconscious when I found them," Snape's sneering voice drifted in, "I bound Black and brought the students up on stretchers."

Alex sat up erect as the Minister of Magic came in, followed by Snape. Snape never looked happier, his face set in an evil smile that made Alex's blood run cold. There was no talking to Snape. His mind was made up, but maybe Fudge would listen to her.

"Oh Miss Ratcliff, you're up. How are you feeling?" Fudge asked with a smile.

"Are you going to let the dementors kiss Sirius Black?" Alex asked icily.

"Yes we are," said Fudge, still smiling, "I'll need to let the Prophet know when it's over."

"Then I feel horrible," Alex said angrily, "Minister, you're making a terrible mistake. That man is innocent, he was framed."

"It's true, sir," Alex looked and saw Hermione sitting up as well as Harry, "He told us when we were at the shack."

"I was there, Miss Granger," Snape said, "And I didn't hear anything of the sort."

"That's because we knocked you out," snapped Harry, "You didn't hear anything."

"Just like I told you Minister," said Snape with a nasty look on his face, "They're confused, that was a strong spell Black hit them with."

"FOR THE LOVE OF MERLIN," Alex half-screamed, "WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT!"

"Now my dear," said Fudge with a frown, "You have been through a lot tonight. Maybe Madame Pomfrey should give you a sleeping draught to help you rest."

"I won't rest," said Alex, her grey eyes burning with rage, "Not until Sirius Black is proved innocent. That's a promise."

Madame Pomfrey came rushing over and saw the flustered students, minus Ron who was still knocked out, and became angry. She started telling the older men to leave when the man Alex was so happy to see came in: Albus Dumbledore. Alex's spirits rose; Dumbledore would believe them. He would make sure nothing happened to Alex's dad.

"There you are, Dumbledore," said the Minister of Magic with relief, "Your students are very wound up right now, going on about Black being innocent and other rubbish."

Alex opened her mouth to retaliate ferociously, but Dumbledore caught her eye and she stopped.

"I was talking to Sirius myself," said the Headmaster, "And he told me was innocent too. There is something to be looked at here, if you were to take the time to look Minister."

"No," said Fudge with a touch of coldness, "We've dragged this out long enough. It's time for action. I am the minister here, Dumbledore."

"If you thought I was trying to step in on your job, I apologize," said Dumbledore calmly, but his eyes held a fire closely related to Alex's, "I only wished to tell you my opinion of the situation, which you seem to ask for quite often."

Fudge was left dumbstruck. Snape was staring at Harry with a smirk on his face.

"Now Minister, Severus, I wish to talk to my students alone. Would you kindly wait up with Sirius for me? Thank you."

Alex watched as Snape gave her a final, triumphant look, and the two men left. As soon as the door closed, all three students began talking at once until Dumbledore held up his hand.

"I believe you," said the Headmaster and Alex's spirits soared, "But few others will. There is nothing I can do. Fudge is set on performing the kiss. He will not listen to reason, even if it is staring him in the face."

"B-But sir," said Alex, her throat closing and she cleared it, "H-He's my…my…"

"I know Alex," Dumbledore said quietly, "He told me everything, about being an Animagus and having a daughter. He told me to tell you that he loves you and to think of him everyday."

Alex's stomach plummeted and her eyes welled up. She was so sure Dumbledore could help her, that he could snap his fingers and everything would be perfect. She knew now it was unrealistic and childish to think those things, but it didn't make her feel any better. Dumbledore sat by her bed and let Alex cry on his shoulder.

"What we need," the Headmaster said as he patted Alex on the back, "Is more time."

Alex wiped her eyes and looked up at the old man. He was staring at Hermione with a knowing look.

"Miss Granger, you know the rules. You must not be seen by anyone. Three turns should do the trick and, if you are successful, more than one innocent life may be spared."

Dumbledore gave Alex's arm a light pat and left the room, shutting the door behind him. Once he was gone, Hermione looked around.

"Sorry Alex, but you can't walk," she said and pulled out a gold chain and threw it around Harry's neck, ignoring his look of shock and confusion, "But what other life was Dumbledore talking about?"

"Buckbeak," Alex said hoarsely, "Sirius can escape on the hippogriff."

"What is going on here?"

But Hermione wasn't paying Harry any attention. She raised a small hourglass to her eyes and was about to turn it.

"Wait!" Alex said and Hermione stopped, "Will you tell my dad that I wish him luck and I love him? And give him this for me." She folded the letter and handed it to Hermione.

"Of course Alex," said Hermione and turned the hourglass three times. In a split second, both Harry and Hermione were gone.

Alex stared at the spot where her two friends had left and did something she hadn't done in a while. She holding her hands, bowed her head and prayed. She prayed hard that her father would be saved, that her friends wouldn't be seen, and that Buckbeak would be set free. By the time she finished, the door opened and Harry and Hermione came running in. Alex looked at Harry worriedly and he nodded with a smile, and held up two fingers, symbolizing both her father and the hippogriff had been rescued.

Alex clapped her hands to her mouth and let out a little laugh. She regained her composure when Madame Pomfrey came back with a huge bolder of solid chocolate and handed out three large pieces. They ate their food quietly, each one straining their ears to hear anyone coming. It wasn't long before they heard loud voices.

"…sure he must have escaped on his own," said Fudge.

"No, this has something to do with Potter and his little friends!" roared Snape as he banged the doors of the Hospital Wing over and strode to Harry's bed, a very upset Fudge and a calm Dumbledore following.

"Now really," said the matron crossly, "This is a hospital, Professor Snape. These children need quiet so they can recuperate!"

"I know you freed him," Snape said angrily, "I don't know how but when I find out, you will all be expelled!"

"That's enough Severus!" said Dumbledore sternly, "There is one simple way to figure this out. Alex, since you are obviously in no condition to walk on your own, did you see anyone leave the Hospital Wing after I did?"

"No sir," said Alex, managing to contain a triumphant laugh, "No one left here after you did."

"They couldn't have," said the matron, "I came to check on the children just minutes after the Headmaster shut the door. Every one of them was in their beds, and I would have heard them leave."

"There you have it Severus," said Dumbledore with a smile, "Unless you are suggesting these children can be in two places at once, or can travel at the speed of light, there is no way they could have freed Sirius and still stayed in the Hospital Wing."

Snape was breathing fast and heavily. Finally, he swept out of the room and stormed off somewhere.

"Are you sure he's quite right Dumbledore?" asked Fudge nervously, "He seems a little…unbalanced."

"He has just suffered a great loss," the Headmaster said, "He and Sirius did not like each other when they were at school. What a night this has been, I'm off to get some sleep before the sun rises. I suggest everyone does the same. Good night!"

The two men left and the matron gave Harry, Hermione, and Alex a sleeping draught. Before it was in full effect, Alex turned to her friends.

"How can I ever thank you two?" she asked, her eyes drooping.

"He's my god-father," said Harry with a yawn, "I didn't want to loose him too."

"And he's innocent," Hermione said as she lay down, "Oh, he told us to tell you to expect a letter in the next week, once he's settled. And he loves you too."

Alex smiled and closed her eyes, falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.

…...

It was the day after Sirius escaped and all of Hogwarts was talking about it. Yet no one knew as much as four certain Gryffindors did, but they would never reveal their secrets. Ron had to be briefed about what happened in the common room that morning, after they passed inspection by Madame Pomfrey. He seemed to be the most upset about Hermione not telling the boys about the Time Turner.

"I thought we were your friends," he said.

"Of course you are," snapped Hermione, "But McGonagall told me not to tell anyone. I only told Alex because I was stressed and needed to tell someone because some people were being prats and stressing me out." Ron and Harry looked away sheepishly at this and Alex just gave her best friend a one-armed hug.

Alex was walking down the corridors to go outside where her friends were. She had just received a long letter from her uncle telling her that he won the case and she could live with him. Alex was so happy that she wasn't paying attention to where she was going and ran into someone and fell down. A hand reached out to help her up and Alex saw Malfoy standing over her. She got up by herself and looked at him.

"Sorry," she muttered, "I didn't see you."

"It's fine," said Malfoy, waving his hand, "After what happened last night, I can imagine you're a little out of it."

"What do you mean?" Alex said quickly.

"Didn't you hear?" asked Malfoy, "Black was found on the school grounds and managed to escape right through the Minister of Magic's fingers. No one knows where he is, but there was a sighting far from here. It looks like he's leaving. And apparently, Lupin's a werewolf."

"What?" said Alex, her eyes growing wide, "How did you find out about that?"

"Professor Snape told us during breakfast," said Malfoy, "Can you believe it? The entire time he could have bitten us and we never knew."

"Yeah," said Alex but her mind was somewhere else. Snape hadn't gotten his revenge on Sirius, so he got it on Lupin. Soon, all the parents would know and send owls to ask for his resignation. Alex had to go and find him, maybe could convince him to stay.

"Ratcliff? Are you sure you're all right? Did you hit your head when you fell?" Malfoy asked, snapping Alex back to reality.

"I'm fine, I just can't believe it."

"Where are you headed now?"

"I was going to go outside, but I need to find Professor Lupin and ask him a question about our Defense Against the Dark Arts summer work," said Alex distractedly.

"You want me to walk with you? You know," he added with the tiniest of playful smiles on his face after seeing Alex's suspicious look, "In case you run into any more things."

"I'm fine Malfoy," said Alex slowly, "But thanks. See you around."

Alex walked away, her mind swirling. Did she and Malfoy just have a conversation without one insulting the other? What was the world coming to? Once she was out of Malfoy's line of vision, Alex broke into a faster pace and ran all the way to Lupin's office, where she knocked and waited to be let in. He didn't answer right away, so Alex knocked again, much harder and longer.

"Professor Lupin," Alex called, "Let me in, I need to talk to you! Please sir, it's really important!" She rapped continuously until a voice made her jump.

"Please don't break the door down, Alex," Professor Lupin said, carrying a large box under his arm and looking extremely ill.

Alex stepped away from the door, smiling slightly and entered after the teacher. Lupin set down the box and began putting books into it, Alex deciding to give him a hand. Once they finished, he made two cups of tea and they sat down.

"How are you, um, feeling sir?" Alex asked.

"I've been a lot worse," Lupin said darkly as he sipped his tea, "I take it you heard what happened?"

"Yes sir and I'm willing to get a petition saying you can stay," said Alex quickly, "I know almost all the Gryffindors'll sign it because they all like you, no matter what. They can't sack you, you're our best teacher yet! Who cares if you have a little problem?"

Lupin laughed and Alex frowned. She remembered him laughing at her similar comment in the Shack and wondered what was so funny.

"You sound like my friends," said Lupin, still chuckling, "Your father and James used to call my lycanthropy my "furry little problem". People thought I had a badly behaved pet or something. And your mother and aunt used to call the time I was away "that time of the month". That really confused those who heard it, but didn't understand it.

"But Alex, Dumbledore didn't fire me, I resigned. Listen to me," he said because Alex had opened her mouth, "After what happened last night, I realize the danger I put on those around me. I could have bitten any one of you, and I almost did. I can't let that happen again."

"It was an accident-" started Alex.

"An accident that I can never make again," cut in Lupin, "Now come on, help me get all packed up."

Sadly, Alex put clothes into cases, books into boxes, and creatures into containers. Once they were all finished, Alex turned to Lupin and sighed.

"Will I ever see you again?" she asked sorrowfully.

"When the time comes, we will meet again," said Lupin sagely, "But until then, remember everything I've taught you, both in class and outside of class. Say hello to your father for me."

Alex nodded and shook Professor Lupin's hand. Then, much to his surprise, Alex gave him a hug.

"Good-bye Professor Lupin," whispered Alex. She moved away and saw his eyes were shinning.

"I am so proud of what you have done, Alex, and I know everyone else would have been too: your mother, aunt, and their friends. I wait anxiously until our paths cross again."

Alex watched as he picked up a suitcase and left the room. She stood in there for a few minutes and left, a sad smile on her face.

Author's Note: I don't know how much I like the beginning of this chapter so all thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated. Also, I plan to put the final chapter up on Saturday if all goes well. The next book will most likely be up next Monday, if all goes according to plan. The last chapter for this story is rather short but wraps everything up nicely. If I put it with this chapter though, it would've been too long. Anyway, please let me know what you think of the chapter! :D