Chapter 3
The morning of August 20th, Grace bounded out of her bed and raced into the bathroom. She rushed through her shower and brushed her teeth at a rapid speed. Of course, it was only nine o'clock in the morning, and Remus wasn't coming by until twelve noon but Grace was incredibly excited. All she'd been able to talk about for the past few weeks was this school.
How was I supposed to handle this? My daughter, my baby girl, would be going away to a boarding school to learn about magic. Surely Sirius would have told me about this during our year of being together. This was big and couldn't be kept a secret, or could it? It must have been, seeing as how I didn't know about anything.
'Mum, what time did Professor Lupin say he was coming over?' Grace yelled from her bedroom where she was supposed to be getting dressed.
'Noon,' I called back. I was sitting on the couch with my typewriter on the table in front of me. A few days previous, I had gotten my rough draft back from my editor and was now in the process of putting the necessary corrections onto the paper. There weren't many, but more than can be done in one afternoon.
Grace spent the morning pacing the living room and hallway. She hid in her room for a short while before resuming her pacing. 'Mum,' she asked, stepping into the living room from the hallway. 'Did my Dad go to Hogwarts?' My daughter asked softly, as if scared of my reaction.
I sighed softly and glared at the ground. 'You remember what I told you about your dad. He kept much of his life to himself. If he did go to Hogwarts, he never mentioned it to me.' I shook my head and forced a smile. 'Now shouldn't you be trying to find your shoes?'
The doorbell rang and Grace ran down the hallway, her trainers forgotten. 'He's here! He's here!' She exclaimed as she flew past me. After pulling open the door, she greeted the Professor. 'Good afternoon, Professor Lupin,' I heard her say.
'Good afternoon, Grace,' he replied and I could hear the smile in his voice. 'Is your mum here?'
'Yes, she's writing in the living room.' I heard the door shut and waited for the two to walk the short walk down the hall.
'Hello, Remus,' I greeted him when Grace brought him into the room.
'Good afternoon, Krista. I see you're still writing,' he said with a smile.
'Yes, I am. I have even published several novels. This is the latest one, ready to be edited,' I said, gesturing towards the typewriter.
'Well ladies, are we ready to go shopping?' Remus asked, breaking the awkward silence that had filled the room.
'Yes!' Grace squealed loudly. She then raced down the hallway to her room, hopefully to locate her shoes.
'About how much money will I need?' I asked, turning to face the familiar looking professor.
He frowned faintly. 'One hundred pounds, possibly. The exchange rate from muggle money to magical money is very good in your favour.'
'There's separate money as well?' I asked, only slightly surprised. There was a difference in everything else, why not in money as well.
Remus grinned. 'Yes, a difference in money as well. I was a bit shocked as well when I found out. The coins look very different from muggle money.'
I sat back down on the couch and gestured for him to join me. While in a relaxed position, he still seemed on edge. It was as if he wasn't very comfortable talking about himself. I decided to change the subject, and try to make him feel a bit more comfortable. After all, he was taking an afternoon off to help us go shopping.
'So Remus, what have you been doing for the past eleven years? Have you been teaching that long?'
'I've been tutoring children for the past few years. Before that I did a few odd jobs here or there.'
I nodded. Even this didn't seem to be a good topic of conversation. He spoke solemnly, without a lot of happiness. What had happened over the eleven years? He used to be cheerful and friendly. Now he was solemn, though there was still a hint of his former self.
'Are we ready?' Grace asked, bounding into the living room. She had on her favourite pair of pink trainers, rescued from under her bed where she had shoved them a few days previous.
'Yes dear, I believe we are.' I stood up and picked my purse up from the table. 'Well Remus, where do we go?'
He gave me a quick look out of the corner of his eye and a smile graced his face. I laughed and led the two out the front door. After locking it behind me, we all walked out to my auto.
'Do you know where Charing Cross Road is in London?' He asked after he had climbed into the passenger's seat of my car.
I thought for a moment. 'Yes, I believe I do. Is that where we're going?'
'Well, in a manner of speaking. That is the easiest way to the Alley.' We drove in silence for the entire thirty-minute drive. I knew Grace was sitting as quietly as she could, waiting for one of us to speak first.
The radio was on the background, playing soft classical music. I grinned when my favourite Beethoven Symphony started up. I hummed along, much to the amusement of both my daughter and old friend.
We arrived on Charing Cross Road and I parked in a side lot, away from the road. Remus led us down the sidewalk towards a small building entitled The Leaky Cauldron. I had drive through this block many times, but had never seen this pub.
'After you, ladies,' Remus said, holding the door open. I walked in first, followed by Grace, and then Remus. My eyes adjusted to the darkness rather quickly and I was surprised at what I found. There were several people sitting around the bar in long, dark cloaks and still others at small tables. Grace was staring in astonishment.
'Hullo there, Remus,' the man behind the bar said. He waved a large hand at us and Remus waved back.
'Hullo, Tom. We're just passing through today.' He gently nudged us through the crowd and out the backdoor.
'We're in an alley,' I said, staring at the red-bricked wall in front of us.
'I know,' he turned towards us and grinned. After he pulled something out of his pocket and tapped a few bricks.
Before our very eyes, the brick wall began to collapse in to itself. It opened up to a small alleyway, full of shops and people. I heard Grace gasp next to me and I couldn't stifle a smile. It was beautiful.
'Come on,' he gently took my elbow and together we walked through the remains of the brick wall and into the alley. 'Welcome to Diagon Alley.'
I read the names on the shops. There was Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, Flourish and Blotts, Eeylops Owl Emporium and Ollivander's, amongst others. 'This place is amazing.'
'It is. But our first stop is Gringott's Wizarding Bank. We need to change your muggle money to wizarding money.' I took Grace's hand and together we followed our guide down the road and into the bank.
Remus took care of the entire transaction for us, which was incredibly nice. I wasn't sure what I would have done if he wasn't there, though I probably would have figured it out eventually. He spoke to Goblins, real live Goblins. I had to scold Grace softly to get her to stop staring. And then I had to take my own advice and keep my gaze focused elsewhere.
After the bank, our second stop was Madam Malkin's Wizard Wears to get Grace fitted for new school robes.
She stood on the stool while the woman measured her and cut the fabric to fit her height. Remus took me by the elbow and led me out of the shop. 'So what do you think about all this?'
I shrugged my shoulders. 'It's all so… unbelievable. I never would have believed all this was real!'
He nodded with a small smile. 'I know. It is pretty amazing.' I caught the shy smile that played on his lips and couldn't help but smile back. He was such a wonderful gentleman, and wasn't much older than me, even if he did have prematurely greying hair. 'You're taking this awfully well.'
I shrugged my shoulders again. 'I guess it just doesn't seem that outrageous to me. It's almost like I've been in this situation before, even though I know I never have been.'
'Well that's an interesting take on it.' He had leaned against the wall, and kept his gaze on his shoes.
'Mum, I'm all set. You just need to pay for them.' Grace had leaned her head out the door with a big grin on her face. I nodded to Grace and walked back into the store with a small smile on my face.
Grace led me to the front and I carefully counted out the money and handed it to who I assumed was Madam Malkin. 'Well, Remus, where to next?'
I took Grace's hand and the three of us left the store and walked slowly down the street.
'I'd say our next stop would be Ollivander's, so she can get her wand.' Remus smiled down at Grace, whose large grin grew even larger.
'I can get a wand today?' She was practically jumping up and down, skipping as she walked.
Ollivander's was right down the road from Madam Malkin's and when we walked inside, I was shocked at the amount of boxes that were housed in the small building. 'He makes his own wands,' Remus said to me out of the side of his mouth. 'This is where the majority of witches and wizards in the Isles purchase their wands.'
A small, white haired man emerged from the back of the store, a glint in his blue eyes. 'Yes, Remus Lupin. I remember you. Willow, 14', dragon heartstring core.' I glanced at Remus, who had a smile on his face.
'Yes, that's correct. But today, I'm here on business. This young lady will be starting Hogwarts in September and needs a wand.' He gently nudged Grace forward and she stumbled, but only slightly. I would have fallen into the counter, but Grace didn't have my balance, thankfully.
'Ah yes.' The white haired man said, tapping his chin with his finger. 'And I assume you are the girl's mother?' I nodded rather than stumble over my words. 'Yes, well my dear, come here. Now, which is your wand arm? Right or left?'
'Umm, right I suppose. I write with my right hand.' Grace stepped forward and a tape measure lifted off the counter, measuring her arm and height.
The man selected a few of the boxes and pulled out each wand in turn, handing them to Grace to wave around. I wasn't sure what he was expecting to happen, nothing at all happened with the first five wands she tried. Then, the sixth wand that was placed in her hand created a beautiful burst of brilliant blue light. The white haired man smiled a look that didn't quite match his face.
'Ah yes. Ash, 10', phoenix feather core.' I stared at him, puzzled. What did he mean by a phoenix feather core? I remembered that Remus' had a dragon heartstring core. Was that something special? I filed the question away, vowing to ask him once we had left the building.
Grace's grin once more returned to her face. It seemed to be taking all the energy she had to control herself from squealing. I paid the man, ten galleons and seven sickles, and we left the store.
'What did he mean by phoenix feather core?' I asked once we had left earshot of the shop.
'It means that there is a phoenix tail feather in her wand. It's what gives it the magical powers. Mine has a dragon heartstring for the core. There is also unicorn hair and leprechaun hair amongst others.'
'Oh,' was all I could say. How do I respond to that?
'Where shall we…?' I trailed off. My eyes caught a sign on the front of a building. It was a Wanted poster. If the man was spotted, you were to alert the Ministry of Magic immediately.
Remus' eyes followed mine and they too fell on the poster. 'Krista…' was all I heard.
The next thing I knew, I was begin gently shaken awake. 'Krista.' 'Mum.' I heard being called, over and over.
I opened my eyes and looked around. I was lying on a bench, my head on something warm and soft. My eyes looked straight up and I met the deep hazel eyes of Remus.
'You fainted,' he said softly.
'Are you all right, Mum?' Grace was kneeling next to me, her eyes full of fear.
I rubbed my head and tried to sit up. 'Yes. I'm fine.' Remus helped me up and I looked around, hoping no one had seen me faint. No one seemed to notice.
'Grace, why don't you run into the bookstore and get your books. Just hand this list to the clerk at the counter.' Remus said, but Grace looked wary.
'Go honey.' I handed her a small pile of money, not knowing what would be enough. 'I'll be fine. Get your books and then we'll get you a present, something for your birthday.' I had already planned on getting her an owl, and this made the perfect excuse.
Grace nodded and walked off to the bookstore across the road. She kept glancing back at me, checking to make sure I hadn't fainted again I suppose.
'You saw the wanted poster and fainted,' Remus supplied when he noticed I had glanced back at the building.
'What is his picture doing up here?' I couldn't wrap my head around this. Why would a wanted poster be here, in a wizarding alley?
Remus sighed, and I was unsure of why. 'He was in wizard prison. Sirius Black is a wizard who did some very bad things.'
'I knew he was arrested; he killed James and Lily, and Peter. But I didn't know he was in wizard prison…'
I had expected Remus to look down on me, to pity me. But instead, he smiled a slow, sad smile. 'Well, he did one good thing in his life. He gave you a beautiful daughter.'
'Yes, he did,' I whispered. I wiped a tear off my cheek. 'She's the only thing I can ever thank him for.'
Remus wrapped his arm around me and held me close to his chest. I sobbed softly, quietly letting the tears flow down my cheeks. He waited patiently for me to finish.
'I'm sorry,' I said as I wiped my eyes, clearing them of the stinging salt water. 'I haven't seen you in such a long time and here I am, crying on your shoulder.'
'It's all right. I don't mind in the least.' He pulled me close again, this time, his lips brushed against the top of my head. And I wasn't sure if it was done accidentally, or if he meant to lightly kiss me. I decided to take it as an accident. 'Come on; let's find Gracie and finish our shopping.'
He took my hand and pulled me up from the bench. I kept his hand, possibly a bit longer than I should have, but I could blame it on still feeling slightly dizzy. He led me into Flourish and Blotts, where we found Grace standing in line to pay for her books.
'Look Mum!' Grace came running over with an armload of books. 'I've got The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1), A History of Magic, One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi…' Grace proceeded to name off every book in her pile. When she paused, I knew something else was coming. 'I also got Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century. For a bit of background reading, is that all right?'
I nodded. 'Sure. You don't know anything about this and neither do I. Extra reading couldn't hurt.'
She grinned up at me. 'Thanks, Mum!'
We made our way through the remainder of the shops, picking up her phials, telescope, and brass scales. The only thing left was her birthday gift.
'Well Gracie, you get to pick your birthday gift. You can get either an Owl or a Cat. Which ever one you want to bring to school with you.'
Grace's face lit up and she began jumping up and down. 'Can I really? Really Mum?' She walked quickly in circles, talking rapidly to herself. 'Owl or Cat? Cat or Owl?' After another moments pause, she finally made her decision. 'I want a cat.'
'A cat it is.' I hefted the bags onto my left shoulder and took her hand with my right. 'Off to the store we go.' Remus led the way back down the road to Eeylops Emporium.
'That was really nice of you, getting her an animal,' Remus said after Grace rushed ahead into the store.
'She'll need some comfort. She's never been off on her own before. Maybe I should get one seeing as I haven't been on my own in thirteen years.'
Remus shook his head at me. 'You'll be fine. You're a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for.' He opened the door and I walked through, bewildered by his statement.
'I like this one Mum.' Grace had a black cat in her arms, holding it tightly. 'Isn't she beautiful?' Her eyes flickered back and forth between Remus and me.
'She is gorgeous,' Remus said in agreement.
'So that's the one?' Grace nodded. 'All right.' We paid for the cat and made our way back out to the road. 'What are you going to name her?'
'Hmm, I haven't decided yet. I'll look for a name in my books. Maybe a historical magical name.' The cat mewed from its cage and we all laughed.
Remus took us back through the brick wall and out through the pub. We drove back to our house and carried Grace's massive amount of packages inside, leaving them on our barely used kitchen table.
'Well, I should leave you two to whatever it is you two do.' He blushed slightly pink, causing Grace to giggle. I shot a glare and she stifled it quick.
'I'm going to umm… go read. Maybe I can find a name for the cat. Thank you, Professor Lupin.' She waved bye and raced back to her bedroom with the small pile of books.
My cheeks felt hot and I looked away. 'Well, thank you, Remus. I had a very nice time and I believe Grace did too.'
'Well you are very welcome, Krista.' He took my right hand in his and kissed the back. 'On September 1st, I'll meet you at King's Cross Station between Platforms 9 and 10. We'll need to get you on the Platform.' He pulled a small envelope from his pocket and handed it to me. 'This is Grace's ticket for the train. Make sure you have it on the 1st.' I slid it into my purse beneath my chequebook, where it would be safe. 'Please don't hesitate to call if you need anything, even if it's just to talk.'
'Thank you,' I whispered, not trusting my voice with speech.
'You are very welcome.' He gave one final wave and began walking out the door. 'Enjoy the rest of your summer. So long for now.' Remus walked out the door and I shut it after another minute. I leaned against it, trying to steady my pounding heart.
Sirius was a wizard and he never told me. Why would he not mention a thing like that? Well Krista, I answered myself, he was also a murderer, and he never mentioned a thing like that either.
'Shut up,' I said aloud. I sat back on the couch with my eyes closed, thinking over everything that had happened during the long day.
'I found a name, Mum,' Grace came running back into the living room. 'Astra. That's the name for her. I'm going to name her Astra.'
'That's a beautiful name Gracie.' I smiled, keeping my eyes closed. If I kept them closed, I could think about something other than Sirius. I ran over the names of the shops, pictured the people we ran into.
'Guess what else I've read Mum…' Grace continued reciting what she had discovered while I continued thinking. I wonder where he is now. Where was Sirius Black hiding?
AN: Sorry about the delay! I was out of town over the weekend and didn't get a chance to edit this chapter until now. Thanks so much to Blonde Pickle Mule, Obi1Nemogbr, Devoted2You, Whitters32, brb bbe, Sxburns, fRaNkiEGirL61, the_werewolf_gal, chickenchick, fruityloops156, brunette-in-black, LadyStrider17, DeanWinchester'sPlayThing, AllenPitt, ktmt1120 and Saffygirl for reviewing the previous chapter! I'm so glad you're enjoying it!
As a quick note, the next chapter will be in Grace's POV!