I arrived at the closed door of Dolores Umbridge's office door and gripped the door handle. I took in a deep breath as I turned the handle to enter the room. She had summoned me to her office saying that she had matters to discuss with me. It was beyond me what she wanted to "discuss" but I had come to the conclusion that it wasn't going to be anything pleasant.

"Ah Professor Megera" Dolores said with her sickly sweet voice "How are you today?"

"You wanted to see me, Headmistress," I answered her flatly, the word "headmistress" sounding somehow wrong.

"Yes," Dolores said quietly "but it doesn't need to be so formal Meghana, please have a seat." She gestured with her hand to the chairs in front of her desk.

I hesitated before taking a seat opposite her.

"How about a cup of tea?" Dolores asked sweetly

"No, thank you" I declined, frowning at her.

"Now, don't be silly dear" Dolores said as she stood up bustling about with a teapot and cups.

"I don't drink tea," I lied as she turned around to look at me appraisingly.

"Coffee then," she replied as she turned once again and eventually placed a cup of coffee in front of me and one in front of herself.

"It's always nice to have a hot drink at this time of the day, don't you agree?" She said, smiling at me. I raised my eyebrows but remained silent.

Dolores sipped from her cup and after a beat made an encouraging gesture at me as I had not touched mine "Drink up whilst it's still hot Meghana"

I stared at her for a beat. Did she actually think I was an idiot?

"Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do Dolores," I said in a low voice.

"So, you're not going to play nice" Dolores said, dropping all pretence, her voice laced with a hint of danger.

"Let's not do this Dolores-" I started but she cut me off.

"Where is Albus Dumbledore?" She asked forcefully.

"I don't know," I said with an emotionless tone.

Dolores stared at her, her index finger rubbing her bottom lip. I stared straight back at her.

"Okay, answer me this then, where is Sirius Black?"

I felt my heart skip a beat. I hadn't expected her to ask that.

"Don't know," I answered calmly, shrugging in an attempt to make me seem more casual and unaffected by this question.

"You're telling me that you have no idea where your husband is?" Dolores asked, that sickly sweetness returning to her voice.

I observed her for a second, taking in her wide smile and watery eyes.

"Do you honestly think that after everything I have worked to create for my entire adult life, I would risk it for the likes of Sirius Black?" I said dangerously with what I hoped was a convincing look on her face.

Dolores stared at her again, her features softening slightly.

"Yes of course, you're right Meghana. You have worked tirelessly and your contributions to the Ministry have not gone unnoticed." Dolores said with such sincerity

I raised my eyebrows again. Was I that convincing?

There was another pause as Dolores looked at me, her eyes narrowing.

"But then again, if that were true, then why do you wear your wedding rings?" Dolores asked, her eyes flicking to my left hand.

I stared at her for a beat before looking down at my left hand as well, gazing at the sparkling rocks "Maybe I like diamonds," I offered quietly looking up at her.

Her eyes were glittering as though she was about to get some reward.

"If I were you," Dolores said slowly, "I would have sold them the moment I found out my husband was a murderer."

I blink at her "Lucky for you he's not your husband then." I replied quietly.

Dolores sat back in her chair surveying me before she nodded towards the coffee in front of me.

I knew there was probably Veritaserum in the drink, but I also knew that I could block it thanks to my occlumency skills, so I reluctantly took a sip of coffee as Dolores watched me intently.

I was surprised when I couldn't feel the effects of any potion in the coffee.

"Has he ever tried to contact you?" She asked, still watching me as I placed the cup back down a little harder than I meant to.

"No," I said clearly.

"Have you attempted to contact him?"

"Why would I?" I asked her frowning.

She continued to gaze at me and she opened her mouth to talk but I cut across her.

"As far as I am aware, Dolores, it is not a crime to be married to an alleged murderer. Further, to insinuate that I, a member of the Wizengamot, would engage in such criminal behaviour is frankly insulting."

I saw a crack appear in her facade but she quickly recovered and gave me a wide smile.

"I'm simply performing my duty as Headmistress of Hogwarts, Meghana. I'm sorry if you feel that way, but I'm sure you can understand my position."

And as I thought more about this I could feel my temper starting to rise.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked curtly.

Dolores smiled sweetly.

"Well, Dumbledore may think it's appropriate that you remained here after your husband broke out of Azkaban and then proceeded to help others escape, but I do not."

She paused and took a sip of her tea, probably thinking I would retort but wasn't going to sit here and rise to her.

"The Minister and I have decided that I will continue your classes from now on and you will go back to the Ministry. For the safety of the students."

I raised my eyebrows at her "-the safety of the students." I repeated slowly.

"I'm sure you can understand." She said, her smile frowning wider.

There was a knock on the door and I turned around as Filch opened the door standing there with Harry.

"The Potter boy for you ma'am," he said.

"Are we done?" I asked Dolores as I turned back to her.

"Yes, thank you Prof- oh, I mean Meghana," she giggled sickeningly.

I rolled my eyes, not even trying to conceal it and I stood up, glaring at her as I did so.

How dare she, I thought to myself as I got to the doorway and stopped in front of Filch and Harry.

Harry was looking apprehensively at me and I gave him a small wink, no doubt Dolores was going to interrogate him next.

"Get out of my way, Filch," I snapped at him, my temper taking over as he stood stupidly in the doorway. He shuffled to the side looking furious as I flounced out of Dolores' office.

*

The next morning I was sitting in the basement kitchen at Grimmauld Place, staring at the lukewarm coffee sitting in front of me.

"It really was only a matter of time, Meg," Remus said thoughtfully "She's getting rid of all the people that could potentially cause her any type of trouble."

My eyes snapped to Remus who was sitting across from me. He looked tired and slightly malnourished. I didn't know what Dumbledore was asking him to do lately, but I did worry about my friend.

"Good Morning!" came Sirius' voice from behind me and a second later he kissed the top of my head. Sirius was overjoyed that I had effectively lost my job at Hogwarts, and was doing a poor job of trying to conceal it.

"Is it?" I said glumly.

He sat down at the head of the table to my right and grinned at me.

"Oh come on now Meghana, it's not all that bad,"

I scowled at him and sighed as I picked up my coffee and took a long sip.

"It's not like you need that job," he added as an owl flew in from the open kitchen window, dropping the Daily Prophet in the centre of the table.

Remus reached for the paper as Sirius paid the owl and it took off.

I turned to look at Sirius and said "That's not the point. I was there for Harry."

Sirius blinked and said "He can look after himself," although he didn't look like he had convinced himself and I raised my eyebrows.

"Uh oh" Remus said from behind the newspaper and both Sirius and I turned to him immediately.

"What is it?" Sirius asked sharply.

"Dolores Umbridge, newly appointed headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has once again made another change in staff, this time in the interests of keeping the students safe.

"Not that I am in any way incinuating that my niece frequently keeps the company of criminals, but I do sleep better at night knowing that my child and the other students at Hogwarts are safer now that she has been asked to leave," Lucius Malfoy says.

Meghana Megera was asked to leave her teaching post at Hogwarts due to her association with mass murderer Sirius Black and Death Eaters Maximilianus and Carmelina Megera, who Black recently helped escape Azkaban.

"It is likely that Meghana will attract the likes of these escaped criminals and that is why she could not stay at Hogwarts," Dolores Umbridge explained. "I was shocked to learn that Albus Dumbledore did not ask her to leave 2 years ago, so I knew something had to be done as soon as possible,"

Remus finished reading and lowered the newspaper looking at me apprehensively.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, the anger boiling around my body.

"I wouldn't worry about what the Prophet says Megs," said Sirius earnestly reaching out and gripping my hand.

"I'm not," I lied watching Sirius exchange a glance with Remus.

Obviously I had been in the Prophet before, but that was under completely different circumstances and didn't defame my reputation.

"I'm sorry, Megs," Remus said genuinely.

I shook my head looking at him "It's fine, like you said - it was just a matter of time." I gave him a small smile as he folded up the newspaper and placed it in front of him.

Arthur Weasley, Tonks and Moody all came into the kitchen talking amongst themselves and I suddenly felt completely overwhelmed. I didn't want to be here anymore and listen to them, I wouldn't be able to withstand anymore questions so I stood up mumbling something about needing to get something from my place.

"I'll come with you," Sirius said as he too stood up grabbing the small silver pot on top of the mantle piece.

I nodded, greatly appreciating how he could tell this is what I wanted without even knowing it myself.

He threw the floo powder in the fire "113 Eaton Place" he said into the fire and the flames turned green. He stepped in and without even looking at everyone else in the kitchen, I followed.

Sirius held his hand out for me as I arrived and I took it.

As I stepped into the drawing room on my house Meepy peeked around the white door and squeaked "Miss! You're back with Master! Can I get you anything?"

"No, thanks Meepy" I said waving my hand impatiently and she left.

I looked around the dark drawing room, my eyes landing on the oak cabinet with glass doors. I sighed and walked over to it, opening it and pulling out a dusty bottle of Firewhisky.

"You do realise its not even 9am," Sirius said as he watched me pull the lid off and taking a long sip. The liquid burnt my throat and warmed my chest, the sensation instantly relaxing me. I knew this wasn't healthy behaviour, but numbing myself seemed like the only thing I coud do right now.

I walked over to him and thrust the bottle into his hands, gazing into his grey eyes as he gripped it.

"I don't care," I said as he took a sip and gave the bottle back to me.

He grinned at me as I took two large gulps and put the bottle down on the coffee table.

"You know, sometimes I think you've changed so much and then you go and do this," He said studying my face.

"Do what exactly?" I said, already starting to feel the effects of the alcohol.

"Well, day drinking for one -" He said chuckling and then looked at me seriously "Are you ok?"

I blinked slowly, trying not to look angry, but honestly, how did he think I was feeling? I was out of my mind with worry, not only for Harry, but for everyone around me. I was hardly sleeping, my mind constantly imagining my parents coming after me or anyone else I cared about. And Sirius, what was going on with him? Was he ok?

"Meg?" Sirius said gently.

I didn't have an answer for him, so I grabbed his jacket and pulled him into a kiss. He hesitated at first but I forced my tongue into his mouth and kissed him hungrily he reciprocated and I smiled as I wrapped my arms around his neck, pushing my body closer to his.

I felt his arms curl around my lower back as we continued to kiss, my heart felt like it was going to burst. There was no questioning that I was meant to be here, in his arms. We were made for each other.

We broke apart and I peered into his face my breathing slightly elevated.

"I love you," He said.

I nodded "I love you," I whispered. More than words could describe.

He cupped my face in his hands and I reached up to touch his hands closing my eyes as I lost myself in the moment. I felt his lips on mine again and sighed as his kiss went lower and down to my neck.

The knock on the door startled us both and we both turned to look at it as it cracked open.

"Miss," Meepy's squeaky voice came seconds before her head looked around the door at us.

"What?" I snapped, irritated by this interruption.

"Sorry Miss," she bowed her head, making me feel guilty for snapping "It's the Minister Miss, a floo call in the kitchen. He is asking to speak to you, Miss!"

I rolled my eyes and thanked her telling her I would be down. She nodded and left as I turned back to Sirius. I put my hands on his chest and sighed.

"I'd better get back anyway," Sirius said, looking down at me. "Dumbledore will be there soon and I'd better be safe and sound at Headquarters," he sounded bitter and I looked up at him sadly, not wanting him to leave.

"I'll see you later," he said after a beat and kissed me on the lips. He grinned when we broke apart and I watched him take a handful of floo powder from the pot on top of the fireplace and disappear into the flames.