Author's note: Hello everybody. I'm glad to know that you all are still joining me on this journey! Unfortunately once again it's been a while since I've been able to publish a chapter. I'm currently working on chapter 17, but as (once again) it's taking me longer than anticipated I wanted to give you all something in the meantime. I wrote the two one shots below months ago, but I haven't published them here until now.

I realise that in the last few chapters (and in the one shots below) Judy might come across as a Mary Sue. I've always known that by making her a Seer I'd risk her becoming a Mary Sue. However, by showing what her *gift* is costing her, I hope I'm portraying her character and her emotional journey as believable.

l'm eager to hear what you think of these one shots, because there might be more of these in the future.

Chapter 9: Stranger in the castle - Sirius POV

It was dark. Utterly dark in the narrow passage. He walked on his paws, squeezing himself through the rubble blocking the passage. His tongue hung out of his mouth as he breathed heavily. He was tired...no, exhausted. The rain, the cold and the lack of food had taken his toll on him. But the anger inside, the fire of revenge burning in his heart, drove his legs to move even faster. He had to get inside of the castle, he had to have his revenge, he needed justice to be served...after all these years...he'd finally kill him.

Sirius stopped as he reached a solid, even wall. His paws sank into the mud as he pressed his nose against the stones. He closed his eyes as he felt for the small button and pushed it as he reached it. The wall moved aside slowly, grinding over the stone floor as if it hadn't moved in years. Sirius thought with a grin that that was probably true.

He walked into the corridor carefully. Despite knowing that everybody was at the Halloween feast and the excquisite smells confirming that fact, he couldn't be careful enough. Everything depended on tonight, he'd never get a chance like this again. He sneaked behind a statue of a wizard he'd never cared to remember and transformed into his human form. As he quickly looked around the corridor to make sure he was indeed alone, his eyes fell on a mirror across from him. He couldn't help but stare at his reflection.

His once handsome, youthful face now looked grey, pale and sunken. His sparkling eyes had faded into grey pools which reminded him of omnious rain clouds. His long dark hair stuck to his head with the greasy splitting ends hanging over his shoulders. The blue and grey striped prisoner's uniform hung looseley around his emaciated body. Sirius felt as if he were looking at a stranger...there was nothing left of the young, mischievous man who'd dazzle every woman with his seductive smile. Nothing left of the friend he'd been for the people around him...nothing left of the man who once loved a woman more than life itself...nothing left of the father who'd held his daughter on stormy nights until she fell asleep in his arms...

Sirius sighed as he looked at himself. He hadn't realised until now that on top of losing his lover, friends, godson and daughter he'd lost himself as well.

He startled as he heard the grinding of stone. He rushed to a nearby alcove and pressed his back against the wall. He looked down the corridor and saw to his surprise that the hump of an all too familiar statue opened. He listenened carefully, picking up a boy's and a girl's voice. Only a few seconds later a mass of long red hair emerged. Sirius blinked hard to make sure that he wasn't seeing things...but as the girl looked around the corridor he realised it wasn't Lily. A moment later a girl with long dark hair followed and then twin boys with the same violent red hair as the first girl.

Sirius tried to listen to what they were saying but as he looked at them his attention was drawn by something else completely. A large piece of parchment which one of the boys tapped with his wand. 'Mischief managed'. Sirius whispered the words along as his lips curled up in a grin. James would have been proud knowing that their invention was used by a new generation of trouble makers.

'Sounds like Filch is on the fourth floor,' said one of the boys, 'if we hurry we can make it to the Great Hall before him noticing we've been here.'

'Sounds like a good plan,' said the other as he took the red haired girl's hand and pulled her along. Sirius quickly hid in the shadow of the alcove, holding his breath as the two boys and girl stopped at his end of the corridor.

'Jude?'

'What?' She said in a voice which stirred his memory.

'Come on (!),' said one of the boys urgently.

'I'm not…I'm not going,' she said absently. 'I mean, look at me…I need to take a shower first.'

It couldn't be, he thought as his mind raced. Out of all the students he could have run into, he'd never counted on it being her. He'd never dared to hope it could be her.

Sirius awoke from his reverie as the two boys and the red haired girl rushed to the marble staircase. It would be safe now, he thought quickly as he dared to look around the corner. He only caught a glimpse of the girl as she quickly hid behind the statue of the hump backed witch. But he'd seen more than enough. Her long dark wavy hair, her almond shaped eyes, the rosy colour of her lips...there was no mistake that she was Briana's daughter...that she was his little girl.

'Anything there, my sweet?'

Sirius instinctively pressed his back against the wall as he heard the man's voice. He looked down at the cat strolling up to him, hiding himself as much as he could. The cat meowed, but didn't seem to notice him. It turned around and stalked off back to its master. Sirius let out a quiet, relieved sigh allowing himself to relax a little as the man disappeared from view. He waited for him to descend the stairs, before relaxing his muscles completely. That was one less thing to worry about...but the other...

He waited for a moment, fighting the urge to run to his daughter after twelve years of separation. He had other matters to attend to...others matters which outweighed the feelings coming back to his mind. But to see her again after all these years...he was torn...torn between love and revenge...torn between holding his daughter and killing the man who'd destroyed everything he cared about...he quickly made his choice...he straightened up and was about to step out of the alcove as his eyes fell on his reflection in the mirror. On the emaciated, pale, dirty man staring back at him as he realised that he didn't have a choice.

Sirius pressed himself against the wall again as the young girl suddenly ran down the corridor. He looked after her, cherishing the moment and knowing that revealing himself to her in the state he was in now, would never bring him the reunion he had hoped for for all these years.

He ran up the staircase half an hour later, his mind finally returning to his task after been taken up by too many bittersweet memories. He didn't have much time he realised as he reached the Fat Lady's portrait. She was sleeping and he nudged her forcefully to wake her up.

'What? Where...I say...' she said offended.

'Let me in,' Sirius said urgently.

'Well, I never...'

'Let me in,' said Sirius again. 'You have to,-'

'Password?' asked the Fat Lady haughtily.

'Listen, you don't understand. This is a matter of life and death.'

'Oh I see, well in that case...password?' she repeated.

'I don't know the bloody password!' Sirius said heatedly.

'I'm sorry, I can't let you in without a password.'

'Fine...Pumpkin Pasty, Canary Cream, Flobberworm, Acromantula...'

'No, sorry. That's not the password,' said the Fat Lady, annoyed. 'Now, if you'll excuse me.'

'Listen, you stupid hag. I have to get in...if you won't let me, I will let myself in,' said Sirius angrily.

The Fat Lady laughed nervously. 'What do you mean let yourself in...' she let out a high pitched scream as she noticed the shiny dagger in his hands.

'I see you get my point,' said Sirius triumphantly.

'But I can't...I can't let you in without...' the Fat Lady stammered.

'Listen, you let me in or I'll...' Sirius threatenened as he waved the dagger around dangerously.

'I...can't...' said the Fat Lady helplessly.

'Let me in, you stupid…'

'No, on…only those who ha…ha…have the password may…may enter,' she said half-sobbing, half-screaming.

'Oh you…' Sirius swore as he held up the dagger and slashed the painted cloth.

'No! Leave her alone!' He stopped at the sound of her voice. He barely registered the Fat Lady fleeing her picture as he turned on his heel. He was breathing heavily due to the anger raging on inside of him. The young woman below dropped a pile of clothes she'd been holding as he looked down on her. Her eyes were filled with fear and he quickly lowered his knife as he stared at her in disbelief. The resemblance to her mother was unmistakable. 'Judy...'

He looked into her blue eyes for what seemed to be forever. There were so many things he wanted to say to her...so many things he wanted her to know.

Below, the sound of students filled the staircase. The Halloween feast was over and...Sirius realised with a pang of regret...so was his chance. Judy broke their eye contact, starled by the sounds of voices. He didn't think as he broke into a run up the stairs. Despite knowing he had to press on, he couldn't resist turning in the doorway and casting her one more glance. He savoured the moment before continuing his way down the corridor and to one of the other secret passages he still remembered.

He sneaked into an alcove, pushed against the left wall and quickly squeezed himself into the narrow corridor behind it. It was partly caved in, much like the other passage he'd used. But narrow corridors were never a problem for him in his Animagus form. He transformed back into the black dog and treaded down the passage carefully. And...for the first time since his escape from prison...despite having missed his chance of killing the man who'd destroyed his past...he felt a little spark of happiness in his heart.

Chapter 12: Christmas at the Burrow - Charlie's POV

Charlie sat with his back against the wall as he stared at nothing in particular in the small bedroom. His hands lay folded on his lap, enclosing a smooth black rectangular case. The pale winter sun cast its warm rays through the small window, bathing his muscled arms in a pale orange glow. He looked down at his biceps for a moment, thinking of the irony about being able to handle the toughest dragons with those muscles but not standing a chance against the charming young witch downstairs. In fact, for the first time in his life he felt clumsy and clueless...and even, though he hated to admit it, a little afraid.

Girls had never been Charlie Weasley's best territory. He had never understood the endless chatter, giggles and batting eyelashes. Truth be told he never bothered to understand it either. Animals had had his heart for as long as he could remember. There was nothing mysterious about animals. No hidden messages, no ambiguity to their ways, no secrets. That was why he'd always liked them, as opposed to girls animals were anything but complicated. That's why he'd never paid any attention to girls in the past. That is...until he met her.

The moment he met Judy that past summer, he knew she made something inside of him stir. Something he'd never felt before. A desire, a longing, a need...a need he didn't even know existed in his heart. He'd never been lonely before, he thought as he remembered the years he'd spent in Romania, alone in his small cottage in the woods. The dragons had kept him busy during the days and his thoughts usually lingered with them when he was at home. He'd never missed having someone waiting for him at home, having someone to greet him with a kiss and ask how his day had been, having someone to love... having someone to love him back. He'd never missed any of that in the past years...but he had missed it more than anything since he'd met Judy.

'I thought you were going to try to catch up on some sleep?' a familiar voice asked amused.

'I will in a moment,' said Charlie truthfully as he looked at his elder brother.

'Do you want to talk about it?' Bill asked seriously.

'Haven't you had enough of it yet?' asked Charlie amused.

'Come on, Charlie. I'll never get tired of seeing you like this...' Bill said amused as he entered the room.

'Thanks. That's just the pep talk I need...' Charlie said a little annoyed. Bill didn't respond as he closed the door. 'How am I going to do this, Bill?'

'How do you want to do this?' he asked curiously.

'I don't know,' said Charlie truthfully. 'I mean, I haven't seen her in months...I can't just walk up to her and say...'

'And say what?' asked Bill interested. Charlie arched a brow at him.

'I don't want to scare her off, Bill,' he said seriously. 'I mean, I don't know how she feels
about me...'

Bill laughed. 'I'm sorry, but didn't you pay any attention at all just now at the kitchen table?'

'Well, I don't know,' said Charlie unconvinced. 'I mean, the way she is with Fred at times...'

'Yes, I know,' said Bill, as he leaned against the door post. 'I've seen it too, but Judy
says they're just best mates.'

'And what did Fred say?' asked Charlie interested.

'Haven't had the heart to ask him yet,' said Bill truthfully. 'I mean, if he does like her...'

'...then he'll jinx me first chance he gets,' said Charlie, only half-amused. 'Tell me, is
it always this complicated?'

'Only when the girl is worth it,' said Bill with a smile. 'And I think she might be,' he continued. 'I mean, I don't know her all that well, but from what I know about her, I can understand why you like her.'

'Like her?' asked Charlie amused. 'I don't think that quite captures it...'

'Oh?' asked Bill interested as he crossed his arms.

'Just tell me how to do this...' said Charlie annoyed.

'Well, I don't know. I mean, you have to do what feels right...what did you have in mind?'

'Well, I wanted to give her this...' said Charlie, handing his elder brother the rectangular case.

'I thought you didn't get her...' Bill paused as he saw the silver chain with the red coral. '...anything.'

'Do you think she'll like it?'

'I think 'like it' doesn't quite capture it...' said Bill amused. 'This is beautiful, Charlie. She'd be mad not to love it...'

'Good, then that'll be one less thing to worry about...' said Charlie as he took the dark
case back from his elder brother. Bill smiled at him, shaking his head in amusement as he did so. 'What?'

'When do you want to give it to her?'

'I don't know...I was thinking tonight after dinner.'

'Not under Mum's gaze, I hope?' said Bill amused.

'No, of course not...' Charlie sighed. 'You know, I've been so busy worrying about her
feelings for me that I almost forgot about that part...'

'Well, you'd better remember it soon,' Bill warned. 'You're both going to have to keep this a secret, if you want to give this a proper chance.'

'I know,' said Charlie seriously. 'Nobody will understand. Mum and Dad will kill me...and her uncle will probably use the Cruciatus curse on me. I know it will not be easy, but I also know... it'll be more than worth it,' he said with a smile. 'It'll be more than worth it, Bill.'

'I'm sure she will be,' he offered with a genuine smile.

'Bill!' Ginny's voice called up the stairs.

'Ah, I'd better get downstairs. I promised Ginny I'd play a game of wizard's chess with her.' Bill
explained as he opened the door. 'Try and get some rest. You'll need your strength tonight...'

'Yes, I suppose I'd better. Thanks, Bill.'

'Anytime,' he smiled at Charlie before walking away and closing the door behind him.

Charlie lay the dark rectangular case on the nightstand as he cast another glance at the pale
winter sun. He smiled as he laid down on his side and he pulled a blanket over his shoulder as he closed his eyes.

It would be more than worth it, he thought as he slowly drifted off to sleep.

She would be more than worth it.