As we went through the wall and onto the platform, I started to feel nervous. I had never really been around other people my age before, apart from the Black brothers, and I wasn't sure how to approach anyone.

This feeling was unfamiliar to me and I hated that I was suddenly worried what the other kids would think of me. I was always quite self-assured and enjoyed my own company - so why did I now feel the urge to impress people?

"This way Meghana," came my grandfather's sharp voice, bringing me out of my contemplation. I looked up expecting him to be next to me but he had already swept along the platform towards the end of the Hogwarts Express, his majestic dark red robes billowing out from behind him.

My father's father was a tall, thin man with a severe-looking face. I had never seen him smile before and decided a long time ago that he probably didn't know how.

Although they were the same age, my grandfather looked younger than my father's mother, who was the complete opposite of her husband. She had a kind face, smiled frequently and saw me as more than a baby-making heiress.

I followed her as she walked behind her husband, pushing the trolley containing my school trunk to where the platform wasn't as crowded.

"Are you alright?" She asked me, peering into my face, "You're quite pale."

I looked up into the bright green eyes that I wish I had inherited. It was like she could see right into my mind as she smiled gently at me.

"You're going to be fine," she said softly as she reached out and gently squeezed my shoulder. This was about as much affection as I knew I would get from my grandmother, especially in the presence of my grandfather who was narrowing his eyes at us, but I appreciated it all the same.

"Priscilla," he growled "Stop fussing over her!"

As my grandmother turned obediently to my grandfather and started to talk to him in a hushed tone, I looked around the platform.

I watched as two girls close to us were arguing and as the darker-haired one stormed off to who I assumed were her parents my eyes started to wander around at the other families. I observed the different emotions being expressed on the platform. They were strange to me as I witnessed, almost longingly, the affection that some mothers and other members of families showed to their children going off to school. People were laughing, hugging, even crying and this was all so far from what I received at home. I hadn't even seen my parents for a couple of weeks now, hence why my grandfather had reluctantly agreed to accompany me today.

The whistle from the guard sounded and my grandmother looked down at me.

"Are you ready?" She asked and I once again nodded stiffly. She smiled at me and rummaged around in her bag for a second before pulling out a book bound in dark leather that looked like it had been opened and closed more than a few times.

"Here," she said, holding it out for me, "I bought you this for the train ride. It's one of my favourites."

I smiled as I took the book from her, looking down at it as it instantly piqued my interest.

"Thank you!" I said looking back up at her and smiling. Just the simple fact that she knew I loved reading made me feel so much better.

After an awkward farewell with my grandparents, I found a compartment on the train that was empty and, gratefully entered it ready to while away the hours in the book my grandmother had given me.

The train pulled out of the station and I was turning a page of the first chapter when the compartment door slid open and I looked up and locked eyes with a boy standing in the doorway. He was already dressed in Hogwarts robes, his light brown hair framing his kind-looking face.

"I'm sorry," he said apologetically "There is nowhere else to sit,"

I shrugged and gestured over towards the seats in front of me "It's fine," I muttered my eyes flicking back to my book.

He busied himself by dragging his trunk noisily into the compartment and sat down opposite me.

"I'm Remus," he said after a beat. I surveyed him over my book.

"Meghana," I said. "But most people just call me Meg," I added as I went back to my book again.

"Is this your first year?" He asked and I restrained myself from sighing as I once again looked away from my book and at him.

"Yes," I said more sharply than I meant.

He nodded, oblivious to my annoyance. "Me too,"

I looked at him and up close he seemed thin and very pale.

"I was so happy when Dumbledore said I could attend Hogwarts." He went on as he looked out of the window. He was clearly excited about attending school and I raised my eyebrows slightly confused.

"Why?" I asked. "It's just school,"

"You weren't excited?" He said, turning his head to me.

I chuckled "No."

"Oh," he said softly, his face falling slightly.

"I mean, I'm glad to be out of my parent's control, but other than that ..." I trailed off shrugging again.

"Why?" He asked. I hadn't expected a follow-up question and it must have shown on my face because he quickly looked away from me and out of the window again.

Loud laughter came from outside the compartment as two boys ran by. I recognised one of them as Sirius but not the boy he was with.

"They must be 2nd or 3rd years," Remus said as he leaned over to get a better look at them.

"I don't think so," I said looking at Remus and when he looked at me puzzled I continued "I know one of them. Sirius Black. It's his first year too,"

"Must be nice to start school with friends already." Remus said offhandedly.

"He's not my friend." I said frowning at Remus. "My parents know his parents," I said after hesitating for a second.

Remus nodded and I watched him as he looked out of the window again. When he didn't speak after a few moments I felt safe to return to my book.

"Megera!" My name being spoken so suddenly, made me jump as I looked up and saw Sirius standing in the doorway grinning, the boy I didn't know standing next to him also grinning.

"What?" I snapped at Sirius.

"Just wanted to say hi," he said and the boy behind him sniggered. "Are you making friends?" He said his grey eyes flicking towards Remus.

"What does it matter to you?" I said, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Don't need to be so defensive," he said grinning at me, his dark hair flopping casually over his eyes.

"Go away Sirius - and take your pet with you," I snapped eyeing the boy behind him.

"This is James," he said, thrusting his thumb back at the boy behind him who continued to grin like an idiot.

"Hello," he waved. "I've heard all about you, well not you personally, but your family of course,"

"Good for you," I said flatly.

"I wouldn't want to be in the same compartment as this one." James said, nodding at me and grinning "Unless you're into Slytherins - not that I'm judging you!" James turned to Remus holding up his hands in mock surrender.

"What are you talking about?" I said shaking my head in disbelief. "You don't know anything about me,"

James sniggered again and started to walk off, Sirius following him slamming the door behind him.

I rolled my eyes and stared angrily at my book, not taking in any words.

"Meghana Megera," Remus said after a moment of silence.

I peered at him.

"I would never have picked you to be the daughter of dark wizards." He said thoughtfully.

"Meaning?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"Well, for one thing, you're talking to me so you must be kind," he said.

"You don't know that," I said, smiling despite myself.

"I can tell," he said grinning and I chuckled deciding that this boy wasn't so bad.

"I'll never understand how people can think the dark arts is the right way to go," Remus remarked.

"Everyone has their reasons," I sighed "Even if they are delusional,"

The memory dissolved into another one, I was older and remembered that it was my first night back from my first term as a third year at Hogwarts and I couldn't sleep. All I could think about was kissing Sirius Black in Professor Slughorn's storage cupboard. Every time I thought about it my chest grew tight and my stomach fluttered. I wondered if he was thinking about me. Was he thinking about how my lips felt pressed against his?

Sighing, I rolled over and decided to spend some time in the library. My parents were once again away, so I felt comfortable walking the mansion at night. No fear of running into any stray Death Eaters.

I pushed the left door open and was surprised to see a roaring fire in the fireplace. I peered around the door and spotted my grandmother perched on the edge of the deep blood-red velvet couch, twirling a strand of her chestnut hair between her fingers lost in a book. The scent of lavender and talcum powder reached my nose and I felt a small smile creep into my face.

"Grandma?" I began tentatively, not wanting to startle her. She jumped and spun around, her face softened as soon as she saw me.

"Darling," she said as I closed the door behind me. "Why are you up so late?"

I walked over to her as she patted the seat next to her, inviting me to sit down.

"I couldn't sleep," I said sitting down.

"Why?" She asked as she pulled me against her.

I hesitated before vaguely saying, "Just lots on my mind,"

"Like what?" My Grandmother asked.

Taking a deep breath, I shrugged "Mainly school." I hesitated before I looked up at her. She was smiling, looking down at me with a knowing twinkle in her eye. "Anything in particular about school?"

I shifted uncomfortably, feeling a flush creeping up on my cheeks. I knew I could trust her, I could tell her anything. But saying it out loud was scary. "Grandma," I asked, looking away from her. "How did you know you liked Grandpa?"

Grandma didn't speak for a moment but reached out and squeezed my hand. "Navigating relationships can be tricky, my darling."

I looked up at her again, she wasn't looking at me, she was staring ahead, blankly.

"When I married your grandfather, I knew I was doing the right thing," she said flatly, like a well-rehearsed speech. "I didn't need to know I liked him,"

I frowned, wondering what she meant exactly.

She chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling again. "What's his name?"

"Who?" I asked my cheeks flushing again.

"The boy you like?" She said. "You can tell me!" She gripped my arm and shook me gently.

"Oh," I said. "Well, It doesn't matter - I don't think I like him,"

"Meghana," Grandma cooed. "Don't think that I haven't noticed how happier you've seemed since you've been back,"

"Well," I said slowly, my mind instantly replaying the memory of kissing him once again. "Sirius," I said quietly after another hesitation.

She nodded, her smile a bit too tight for my liking.

"Grandma?" I asked. "What is it?"

"Nothing, darling." She said, squeezing my shoulder. "It's lovely that you two are getting on." Grandma smiled again, this time warmer and looked down at me. "But, the most important thing is to be true to yourself."

I nodded, a sense of relief washing over me as she seemed to be back to her normal self.

I felt grateful for the bond I shared with my grandma, although I had a feeling that she wasn't telling me what she was thinking.

"Max," Voldemort's voice echoed around my head.

"My Lord?" My father's voice sounded far away.

I tried to open my eyes but the pain in my head was so intense it seemed like an impossible task.

"Who is Priscilla Megera?" Voldemort asked lightly.

I wasn't quite sure I had heard correctly, and neither, it seemed, did my father for there was a long pause before he answered.

"Priscilla Megera is my mother, my Lord."

"I assume she is alive?" Voldemort asked.

"Yes, my Lord." My father said.

There was another pause and a slight panic crept through the fog in my brain.

"Bring her to me, Max," Voldemort said, his voice growing fainter.

I vaguely heard what sounded like a door close as I fell unconscious.

I felt the soft mattress underneath my body as I regained consciousness. The pain in my head was still agony so much so that I kept my eyes closed but I had a sense of other people in the room.

"This is your fault Max," I had never heard my mother sound angry before nor had I ever heard her talk to my father like that.

"What do you expect me to do Melina?" My father's voice swam around my head, sounding far away but I felt something wet and cold on my forehead. "I don't have a choice."

"Yes you do!" My mother said in a shrill voice. "Please Max, surely you can talk to him," her voice grew closer to me and I could smell her perfume. "She's your daughter, or have you forgotten that?"

"Of course I haven't!" My father spat.

Pat.

Pat.

Pat.

The cold compress on my forehead was thoroughly welcome. I tried to focus my mind on the sensation to try and stop my head from spinning.

"I know you've never loved me Max, but I know you loved her." My mother sounded closer, I didn't have to open my eyes to know tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"Loved?" My father repeated quietly, he paused and then continued louder "If she wasn't so damn stubborn then she wouldn't even be here!"

"He's going to kill her, Max!" My mother's voice sounded desperate. "Please just do me this one thing and promise me that you will not let that happen!"

"Get a hold of yourself Melina," my father said harshly "You're embarrassing yourself,"

"Please for once in your life, if not for me then at least do the right thing by your own flesh and blood, Max!" My mother pleaded with him.

"My own flesh and blood threw us both in Azkaban," my father said dangerously "or have you forgotten that?"

"She was young and naïve," my mother said sniffing. "She had lost a lot,"

"Oh please," my father scoffed.

Pat.

Pat.

Pat.

"You take over this -" my father's voice started to sound faint "- I have to go get my mother."

"What does he want with her?" My mother's voice sounded stronger and closer.

I tried to open my eyes again but failed as my head began spinning making me feel as though I was falling.

Pat.

Pat.

Pat.

"I have no clue," my father said. "But it can't be good..." his voice trailed off, whether intentionally or not I did not know as I fell unconscious once more.