Chapter 6

It had been just over a month since Grace had gone off to school. I had already received two letters from her, which was nice since it showed she missed me too. The house was lonely and I missed her constant chatter, roaming around, and her toys strewn across the living room. As the days passed, I found myself longing for the Christmas Holidays when she would come home for a visit.

Along with my two letters from Grace, I had received two from Remus. He had invited me out to Diagon Alley and our date was in five days. I was extremely nervous, not having been on a date in nearly ten years. What if I made a fool out of myself? Furthermore, was I stupid for getting involved with Grace's father's best friend? The more I thought about it, the more I leaned toward my idiocy. But, it had been twelve years; I was due for something new. And besides, what if it wasn't a date? What if it was just an outing between friends?

Contrary to the past few weeks of cool weather, it was a warm October afternoon and I took my current draft to a nearby park for some editing. The only way I could keep my mind off Grace and Sirius was to write. He was still on the loose, and according to the news, no one had any idea where he might be. At first I was scared he might come looking for me, but why? He didn't know he had a daughter, didn't even know where I might be living.

The park was full of young mothers and their small children. I smiled as the children ran back and forth, laughing and playing. Grace and I used to come here when she was small, and she would act just like these children now, running back and forth around the swings. She would tire herself out completely and then sleep the whole way home. More often than not, I had to carry her back into the house. How time flies! It seemed like just yesterday we were doing that.

I flipped through the manuscript, checking to see which changes I could make quickly. There wasn't much, just a few silly character moments and continuity mistakes. Soon, this manuscript would be bound and become my fourth book.

Looking up at the sky, which had grown dark with cloud cover, I was hit with a sudden memory. I was sitting in a park with Sirius. It was the day he first told me that he loved me. He had surprised me at the office after being away on a business trip.

I shook my head and closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. I needed to forget that memory. There was no reason for me to remember it, especially not now. Thinking back, I tried to remember if the weather report called for rain. It certainly looked like it might, and I didn't want to be caught in it.

As I gathered my things, my eyes caught sight of movement in a nearby bush, and before I could blink, a large black dog burst through the leaves. I blinked as he ran up to me, tongue lolling out. He sat in front of me and barked, wearing what looked like a large grin. 'Why hello there, big boy. What are you doing here?'

The dog barked again and raised one paw, placing it on my lap. I reached out and scratched his head, feeling dirt and grime. 'You need a bath baby.'

He quickly jumped up, barely giving me a moment to think, and sat next to me on the bench. His front paws stood on my legs and his tongue came out, licking my face. 'Oh you sly dog!' I struggled to push him back, but he remained steadfast, still licking my cheek. Slobber covered my face and I cringed through my laughter. This was the height of grossness, as Grace would say.

'All right, all right, get back.' Finally, he sat back, sitting next to me on the bench. 'Well, I suppose that's better than you being on my lap.' I scratched at his belly, sending his back leg into spasm.

I shook my head, pulling my hand back and returning to read my manuscript. He lay down, resting his head in my lap and looking up at me with sad, puppy eyes. 'I had my tea leaves read once and the psychic told me I would see the Grim. You look an awful lot like the Grim, did you know that?'

He lifted his head and grinned. 'Well, my darling puppy,' I said with a quick glance at the sky. 'I have to get home. I'd love to take you with me, but my house isn't big enough for you.' I patted him one last time and then he jumped off the bench and raced towards the woods. 'Strange,' I said, shrugging my shoulders and gathering my belongings.

I stuffed my papers in my bag and stood up, stretching out my legs. When I glanced at the trees, I squinted. There was a man standing there. His clothes hung loosely off his body and his face was covered in dark facial hair and his long black hair hung down to his elbows. He looked like a skeleton. I stared, in shock. I couldn't believe who was standing at the tree line. Of all the places for him to turn up, it had to be by me. Sirius Black stood in front of me.

I quickly gathered up my belongings and shoved them into my briefcase. Racing to where my auto was parked, I fumbled with my keys, dropping them twice before finally making it to the auto. I stuffed the key in the lock and then in the ignition, slamming my door shut and clicking the lock. Before I turned it on, I sat, catching my breath.

If he wanted to get me, he had ample opportunity. I was certain he had his magic wand on him and could have cast any number of magical spells on me. Why'd he let me go?

'Krista, just get home,' I told myself, turning the key and finally backing out of my parking spot.

Driving quickly out of the parking lot, I didn't once glance back once to see if he was behind me. I wouldn't even know what to do if he was. I stood no chance against him.

When I got to my home, I shut and locked the door, double-checking it. Where had he come from? Why would he come find me? What was I going to do?

I picked up the phone in the kitchen and dialled the number that had broadcast on the telly so many times. 'Yes, hello. I need to report a sighting of the escaped criminal, Sirius Black. Yes, I swear I saw him in Gandy Park. Yes, in Finchley. No, I've returned home now. 725 Brickhouse Lane, Finchley. Yes, it's right down the walk from the park. Certainly. Thank you.'

I hung up the phone and struggled to control my breathing. He was here. He knew where I lived. Wait, maybe he didn't even recognize me. Maybe he didn't even know it was me. Was it a coincidence that he just happened to show up at the very park I was in, just down the street from my home?

Grace's POV

'Make sure you read chapter three for homework and start your essay! It's due Monday!' Professor Lupin said as the class slowly filed out of the classroom. He sat down at his desk and picked up his quill. I gathered my materials and stood at my desk, silently debating my choices. I could be brave and go talk to him, or I could leave with Kaitlyn and never ask.

'Grace, aren't you coming?' Kaitlyn said, lifting her bag onto her shoulder. She had moved toward the door, but turned back, looking for me.

I glanced over at Professor Lupin before looking back at Kaitlyn. 'I'll meet you outside. I just want to ask him something… on the reading.'

Kaitlyn shrugged, turned and walked out of the room, leaving me alone with Lupin.

After glancing around the room to make sure my classmates were gone, I walked quietly up to the front of the classroom and stood in front of Professor Lupin's desk. 'Professor? May I ask you a question?'

'Certainly, Grace,' he replied, laying his quill on the desktop. He folded his arms on his desk and looked up at me. 'Do you have a question about the assignment?'

'No, sir. Actually, I have a… a personal question.' I clasped my hands tightly around the strap of my book bag to stop them from shaking. No luck though.

If he was surprised by my statement, he didn't show it. 'Come into my office, Grace.' He stood and gestured for me to follow him. We stepped into a small room, filled with more books and another desk. It was smaller, though comfortable and definitely felt welcoming, unlike Professor Snape's classroom or office.

He shut the door behind him and sat behind the desk, nodding for me to take the other open chair. 'So, what is it that you wanted to ask me?'

Whatever courage I had before we walked in here vanished before the question was even out of his mouth. My hands shook and I clasped them tightly in my lap. 'I…' I started before pausing and chewing on my lip. 'My Mum said you knew my Dad. That you were friends.'

This time, his face showed surprise. 'Grace…' he trailed off, shaking his head. 'Yes, we were friends, once upon a time.' He frowned and I knew he wasn't happy with my question. 'What has your Mum told you about him?'

'Nothing. She hasn't told me anything. Every time I ask, she gives me a variation on the same answer, 'he couldn't take care of himself let alone a family and left.' I just want to know something about him.' I stomped my foot in protest, too late realising how childish it made me look. 'I just want to know his name.'

Professor Lupin leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk. 'I wish I could tell you everything I know about your father, but your Mum would have my head. She has her reasons for keeping things from you.'

'You can't tell me anything?' I asked, my voice sounding tearful. I struggled to blink back the hot tears that had filled my eyes. A stray tear slid down my cheek and I reached up to quickly wipe it away. 'I know he was a wizard, the Sorting Hat told me he was difficult to place in a house.'

Sighing, he shook his head again, this time with a small smile. 'He was a rather difficult person to place. I remember hearing him talk later, after the sorting, about how upset his mother was at which house he was sorted into.' He smiled again at the memory and I shifted in the chair.

I sat quietly, thinking that if I barely moved, maybe he would forget I was there and just start talking. Lupin sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. 'Back when I knew your father, he was my closest friend.'

'What happened?' I asked softly.

He paused as if trying to decide what to say. 'People change,' he said with a shrug. 'I can't tell you much more than that without breaking the promise I gave your Mum. Maybe someday, you can ask me and I'll be able to tell you all you want to know. But right now, I can't share much.'

I frowned and looked down at my hands. 'Can you at least tell me what he was like? I… I just want to know something…'

Professor Lupin frowned before sighing and shaking his head. 'I guess it can't hurt. Back when we were friends, and this was quite a long time ago, he was always cracking jokes. Your father was rarely without a smile. He could cheer you up in a heartbeat and was always laughing.

'He and another friend of ours were really close, so close your Dad was best man at his wedding.' He paused as if thinking back to happier times. 'If things had gone as originally planned, Grace, you would have had a very happy family.'

I bit my lip and nodded, knowing I probably should push him any further for information. 'Thank you, Professor Lupin. I promise I won't tell Mum that you told me anything.'

'Thank you, Grace, though I'm afraid I will probably tell her myself. It wouldn't be fair to lie to her about this. She despises being left out of the loop. She would get so angry with your father…' he trailed off, once again smiling at a memory.

Hoisting my rucksack onto my shoulder, I stood and wiped my eyes. 'Thank you again, Professor Lupin. I'll see you in class.'

'Take care, Grace,' Lupin said as he looked back down at his desk.

I slowly opened the door to his office and walked back into the classroom. It was still empty and I quickly navigated through the desk, not knowing when his next class was scheduled to arrive. 'There you are,' Kaitlyn said when I emerged from the classroom. 'I was wondering what was keeping you. Have you been crying? What happened!' Kaitlyn reached into her rucksack and pulled out a tissue, handing it to me.

'I'm fine,' I said, wiping my eyes. 'I just had to ask him a question.'

'Not on the reading, unless you've failed something. You didn't fail anything, did you?'

Kaitlyn and I left the classroom doorway and slowly walked toward the Gryffindor Common Room. 'No,' I said when we had reached the portrait hole. 'I didn't fail anything. It's a long story and I don't…' I trailed off, seeing the downhearted look on my friend's face. 'All right, Professor Lupin used to be good friends with my father. And since I don't know anything about him, I thought I'd ask him if he could tell me anything.'

'Oh, Grace,' Kaitlyn said. I had told Kaitlyn the whole story one night when we were working on our Astronomy homework. It was nice to have a friend to confide in, especially when I felt like I couldn't talk to Mum about it.

'Fortuna Major,' I said and the portrait swung away from the wall.

'Could he tell you anything?'

'Not much. My mum made him promise not to tell me. I just want to know his name. Is that so much to ask?'

'Not really,' Kaitlyn agreed. 'Maybe if you give your Mum a break for a little while, she'll tell you more.'

'Yeah, maybe,' I agreed, shrugging my shoulders.

I collapsed into one of the squishy armchairs and dragged out my Potions book, opening it to page 15. 'Best get started on this homework for Snape,' I said, ending the current conversation topic.

Well, at least I knew a little bit about my Dad, more than I knew an hour ago. How difficult was it to tell me his name?

AN: Sorry I didn't get to answer your reviews on the previous chapter. RL stuff got in the way. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, I'm not too fond of it myself, but it is what it is. Thanks to: Saffygirl, ktmt1120, Tugarulls, Sxburns, fRANkiEGriL61, LadyStrider17, Dreamsb223, fruityloops156, amrawo, AllenPitt, ., and restoringthehistory for reviewing the previous chapter!